At my college, the University of New Orleans, there is a large amount of students that are foreign exchange students. Over the past couple of months, I have befriended a good number of exchange students. Most of the exchange students I have befriended are studying here from Brazil, and this is there first time in the United States. I've learned so much from them in such a short amount of time. They have opened my eyes to so many new ideas and possibilities. So, I'm here to share these wonderful people's stories. Some of my exchange student friends agreed to let me interview them and post their responses in this article to share their journeys in America.

1. What was your view of America when you first arrived?

"When I first arrived, the first thing I noticed was the advancement of technology compared to Brazil. First of all, the cars here are all automatic, which is not common back home. Also, I've seen people use technology such as drones and hover boards. The food was kind of how I expected it to be: hamburgers, pizza, French fries, cookies, etc. I saw fast food restaurants on almost every corner! Fortunately, I came to one of the United States' cities (New Orleans) where people are really friendly and talkative, so my first impression was that people in America always try to be nice." - Talles Saraiva, from São Paulo, Brazil

"The first thing I thought about America was that everyone was so serious. There is so much work that has to be done to pass immigration, and then they don't even say 'good morning'. They think they control the world. But I think now that they were just having a bad day or something because everyone here in New Orleans is very friendly." - Stela Barbosa, from Juiz de Fora, Brazil

"When I first came here, I was shocked by the English that is spoken. The accent of the people in Louisiana is hard!" - Pedro Gonçalves, from Brasília, Brazil

"Since I first arrived in Miami, my first thought on America was that a lot of people here speak Spanish instead of English. The guy from immigration actually insisted on speaking Spanish with me instead of English.. which was awkward because we speak Portuguese in Brazil, not Spanish! Besides that, it was like every other new place you go. You feel lost at first, but after some time you get used to things and feel at home!" - Marlon Batistella, from Videira, Brazil

"I came to a place that is completely different from my hometown. All of my life, I have lived in a small village composed of about one thousand people with very poor infrastructure. There were no banks, no paved roads, and no pharmacies. In America, I see a place very organized and developed with beautiful buildings and more opportunities." - Nilton Souza, from Ouro Prêto, Brazil

"The first thing I thought when I arrived was that everyone in the US was very rich. I saw electronics being sold in vending machines like they were just snacks." - Yan Andrade, from Ibiá, Brazil

"I was very afraid when I first got here. Some lady was talking to me in English on the airplane to New Orleans, and I couldn't understand anything that she was saying. So my first thought was, 'Ok, I have a problem, but at least Americans are really social and friendly." - Luis Cardoso, from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

2. How was your transition from living in your home country to living in America?

"Living in my home country was completely different from living here. It is my first time living on a college campus instead of living with my parents, so I've really enjoyed it. Life here seems to be easier; it's hard to explain. In my country, I used to be busy all of the time, and here I can enjoy my free time and do what makes me happy." - Talles Saraiva, from São Paulo, Brazil

"The transition was not that bad because I knew a lot about American culture already." - Pedro Gonçalves, from Brasília, Brazil

"My transition was very easy, maybe because I was already living away from my parents to study." - Marlon Batistella, from Videira, Brazil

"It was a little bit hard for me at first because I was not used to the language and the food. I also had problems adjusting to the weather because in the summer it was so hot. Over time, I became familiar with everything." - Nilton Souza, from Ouro Prêto, Brazil

"It wasn't very difficult in the sense of being far from family because I live outside of my hometown to go to school. I suffered the most with transitioning to American food. It's hard to afford good food on an exchange student's budget. If you want me to be happy, just give me some traditional Brazilian food! It's the thing I miss the most about home." - Stela Barbosa, from Juiz de Fora, Brazil

"The beginning was difficult, but after I started improving my English and meeting more new people, things became easier. However, I still miss Brazilian food." - Yan Andrade, from Ibiá, Brazil

"Even with the cultural and lifestyle differences, it didn't take too long for me to get used to America. I was kind of struggling at first because I didn't know anyone, not even the other Brazilian exchange students, but it was a matter of time before I made some good friends and got used to the American way of life." - Luis Cardoso, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

3. Do you think college is easier here or in your home country?

"It's easier in the US because professors care about you. You earn points from attendance and homework, and it helps make your grade better in the end." - Stela Barbosa, from Juiz de Fora, Brazil

"For me, college is easier here than in Brazil. There, we have more classes and the tests are much more difficult." - Yan Andrade, from Ibiá, Brazil

"College is definitely easier in America." - Pedro Gonçalves, from Brasília, Brazil

"In my opinion, college is easier here because I can take less classes here than in Brazil. The tests are not as complicated compared to the ones I used to take back home." - Talles Saraiva, from São Paulo, Brazil

"For my major, college here is as hard as college back home but in a different way. Here we have a lot of homework, whereas back home we generally don't get grades for homework. We only got grades from the tests and occasional projects." - Marlon Batistella, from Videira, Brazil

"College is easier here, no doubts about that. Even though the education system is different in Brazil, we are used to studying all day for a month straight for a single test and still end up with an F." - Luis Cardoso, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

"I think college here is easier. Even though we don't have a lot of homework back home, the test are very hard and most of the students get bad grades. We have a lot of cruel professors who give us very hard tests. In most of the courses that I took, I was one of the 10% that passed, and a D is a good grade. Another problem is that I used to take 32 credits per semester because you have to take more than 70 courses to graduate." - Nilton Souza, from Ouro Prêto, Brazil

4. What is the most significant thing that has happened to you while studying abroad?

"I've met a lot of people from many different countries, and I've realized how strange and how interesting other cultures are." - Yan Andrade, from Ibiá, Brazil

"I was able to make friends with people from all over the world. That is really amazing to me, since we don't have a lot of international students in Brazil." - Luis Cardoso, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

"I've gotten to know a lot of awesome people from different parts of the world who I can call my good friends." - Marlon Batistella, from Videira, Brazil

"The most significant thing is now I know a lot of different people from all over the world." - Pedro Gonçalves, from Brasília, Brazil

"The most significant thing that has happened to me was meeting people from all over the world and improving my English. I've made friends who come from different cultures, and that has made me see how big the world is and how nice it is to be given the opportunity to live and study in another country. The first month, I was so scared to speak in English since it's not my first language. Fortunately, I have learned a lot during the time I've spent here and am much more confident in my English." - Talles Saraiva, from São Paulo, Brazil

"The fact that I have made friends from all over the world. It's very special to me when I see someone here wanting to learn Portuguese or someone trying to teach me a few words in their language." - Stela Barbosa, from Juiz de Fora, Brazil

"The most significant thing was having the opportunity to date someone who has a completely different culture and lives on the opposite side of the world." - Nilton Souza, from Ouro Prêto, Brazil

5. Would you recommend other college students to study abroad?

"Yes, I would definitely recommend studying abroad because this was the most amazing experience I've ever had in my life! I've learned so many things that I'l keep with me for the rest of my life!" - Talles Saraiva, from São Paulo, Brazil

"Yes, for sure. Studying abroad is a great academic and life experience." - Marlon Batistella, from Videira, Brazil

"I totally recommend studying abroad!" - Pedro Gonçalves, from Brasília, Brazil

"Yes for sure! It is a unique experience in which you improve professionally and personally." - Stela Barbosa, from Juiz de Fora, Brazil

"Yes, I would recommend them to study abroad because they can gain more experience, and they will have many good opportunities. They can meet new friends, new cultures, new beautiful places, and so on. Therefore, they can bring the good knowledge learned to help improve their countries." - Nilton Souza, from Ouro Prêto, Brazil

"I recommend anyone to study abroad or at least visit another country. For me, it was one of best experience I have had in my life." - Yan Andrade, from Ibiá, Brazil

"Definitely. It is a unique experience! It's something that you will remember for the rest of your life." - Luis Cardoso, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Hopefully these first-hand accounts from real foreign exchange students will make you want to go out and study abroad for yourself!