Have you ever turned down a home exchange offer because of communication problems? I am not talking about misunderstandings that can arise sometimes in communicating with a potential swapper. I am talking about the challenge of overcoming a language barrier.
No doubt, English is the lingua franca among home exchangers. With so many other languages spoken, especially in Europe, it could happen though, that you receive a home exchange offer composed in French, Italian, Spanish, or in another unfamiliar language.
Is it possible and advisable to do a home exchange under such circumstances?
A few years ago and with less home exchange experiences to count on, I always immediately and politely turned down such offers. Communicating is such a vital part of a successful home exchange. No wonder, I did not feel comfortable trying to arrange a home exchange under the circumstances.
And that is what I still advise today. If you are new to home exchange, get yourself familiar with the concept first, before tackling the language barrier.
Next, for the advanced home exchanger: How to successfully overcome a language barrier.
