First there has to be a teacher living in that area that also wants to go on an exchange in the same year that you want to go and also wants to go to your country and to your province or state. If you just left yourself more open, an exchange to London or nearby, your chances will improve. More than one teacher that decided that they wanted an exchange to a specific area has had to wait years and still don't have a match. Once a confirmed match happens, then we can start the excitement of planning, and no matter where that is to, both Joanna and I will have a fabulous time. We know from other exchangees, that my exchange partner will have an equally fabulous experience in Edmonton.
Many people have a budget, and a good banker in case there are emergencies.
A Japanese couple were on exchange to Australia in 1995. After assessing the situation they decided to spend the year away on the exchange as there was very little they could do at home in Japan. The Japanese government gave their Australian partner a place to stay, in accommodation normally reserved for diplomats. No matter the difficulty, life goes on . I want to go on an exchange but live in a small community called Gopher Gulch.