There seems to be a significant business opportunity here. An institutionalized program of language immersion/internship could be designed to address all three problems.
The program would obviously address Problem 1 and Problem 3 by being structured to ensure that new "interns" are immersed in an environment with new norms for language and culture.
Problem 2 would be addressed through a school-like structuring of the program -- everyone knows how to make friends in school, even if it's the introvert's 1 true friend. At the very least, people have the shared experience and come away with a circle of acquaintances. Structure the program so that this circle includes lots of natives.
The advantages of such a program would be obvious -- highly valuable cultural and language skills. If spending a year abroad working as a server is attractive because it's less work and just as much pay, then such a program would be even more attractive as it would have all the benefits of a working vacation year abroad combined with those of internship. Those providing work to the participants would also benefit by getting labor below market value.
The program would obviously address Problem 1 and Problem 3 by being structured to ensure that new "interns" are immersed in an environment with new norms for language and culture.
Problem 2 would be addressed through a school-like structuring of the program -- everyone knows how to make friends in school, even if it's the introvert's 1 true friend. At the very least, people have the shared experience and come away with a circle of acquaintances. Structure the program so that this circle includes lots of natives.
The advantages of such a program would be obvious -- highly valuable cultural and language skills. If spending a year abroad working as a server is attractive because it's less work and just as much pay, then such a program would be even more attractive as it would have all the benefits of a working vacation year abroad combined with those of internship. Those providing work to the participants would also benefit by getting labor below market value.