Having the Time of Your Life
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Transcript Having the Time of Your Life
Having the Time
of Your Life
in AMERICA !
Orientation Agenda
Let’s Get Comfortable! What to Expect this year
Adaptation Process
Symptoms of Culture Shock
American Values
Expectations and Responsibilities
Host family
Student
School
Local Coordinator
Rules and AYA Policies
Disciplinary Process
Effective Problem Solving
Student Safety
Communication Channels
Staying Connected
Adaptation Process
Adaptation Process
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Honeymoon High
Culture Shock
Cultural Adjustment
Adaptation
Culture Shock
Symptoms of Culture Shock:
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No energy/exhausted
Anxious
Feel sick
Extreme homesickness
Crying for no reason
Extreme anger
Psychological disorientation
What can you do?
• Leave
• Deny or fight it
• Accept and talk about it
American Values
• Individualism
• Competitive
• Direct and informal
communication
• Patriotic
• Timeliness
Expectations of your Host Family
• Most do not live in big houses
and most are not rich
• Majority of your HF’s are middle
class Americans
• Most AYA host families live in
small towns and rural areas
• Prepare to embrace small town
life
• Most families need to drive long
distances to get to
town/movies/shopping
• Big fish in a little pond
American Host Families
• Host families come in all shapes and
sizes
– Older parents with no children
– Single parents with children
– Larger families with young children
• All of your host families have one thing
in common:
– Chose to host you for free
– Volunteering to make you part of
their family
– Want to get to know you and about
your country
Responsibilities of Host Families
• Welcome student as a family member
• Provide students with own bed &
place to study
• Provide all meals except school
lunches
• Provide transportation to & from
school and religious services
• Help student adjust: school, language,
homesickness, culture shock
Your Responsibilities:
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Follow ALL AYA program rules
Maintain C+ average or better in all classes
Treat your Host Family with respect
– Respect rules for computer, curfew, homework,
dating, phone, meals, chores
Help with chores
– Clean up after yourself
Be involved with Host Family activities
– What about church?
– Will I travel?
Show appreciation
Take care of personal expenses
– School lunches (non-grant students)
– Social activities
– Toiletries
– Clothing
– School supplies
– Prom tickets
– Yearbook
Rules & Expectations
Zero Tolerance Rules:
Must abide by all U.S. laws
No drinking/drug use
No driving
Expulsion from school
Family Rules
Abide by all family rules including household
chores and curfews
Behavioral expectations
Positive attitude towards school, family and
community
Ask if you are unsure about a rule
Think before you act
Refrain from posting negative or inappropriate
comments on social media sites
Social Media
Circumstances that will result in disciplinary action:
• Inappropriate or passive aggressive comments
about the host family, the home or the placement in
general
• Culturally inappropriate posts, including derogatory
political cartoons, lewd posts or images containing
sexually explicit content and/or expletives
• Photographs of students in compromising
situations, where they appear to be drinking,
smoking or engaged in behavior unbecoming of an
exchange students
• Provocative photographs of students wearing
revealing clothing or engaged in displays of
affection
• Discovery of messages or posts revealing breach of
program rules
Rules and Expectations
Disciplinary process
– Mediation
– Warning
– Probation
– Disqualification
Rules and Expectations
Host Family Changes
Considered a last resort
Expected to make a concerted effort
to adjust to your host family
Not moved based on simple dislike
of your location, style of housing or
host family
Unless there is a safety concern
you are expected to stay with your
assigned family
You may not change families at will
or without permission from AYA
National office
30 day rule
Rules and Expectations
• Travel Policy
– Independent Travel Form -If you
want to travel without your host
family, the AYA office must have
written permission from your natural
parents for the trip.
– Must contact your Local Coordinator
at least two weeks in advance
– Activities or travels that include
your host family, or Local
Coordinator do not require special
permission
– Students may not travel without an
adult
– Friends and family may visit at the
end of the program only.
American High School
• Grade level and class schedule is assigned by
school administrator
• Graduation/Diploma is not guaranteed
• Must take English and U.S. history
• Transportation to school: school bus, city bus,
carpool, HF, walking, friend (HF permission)
• Lunch alone? Approach another student
• Need help? Guidance counselor
• Lost? Ask another student, teacher or
guidance counselor
School Responsibilities
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Must attend school daily
Participate and complete assignments
Follow all school rules
Treat teachers with respect
Maintain a C+ Average
Serve as an ambassador for your
country and help Americans learn
about your culture
• Must communicate in English
Local Coordinator’s Role
Select safe and suitable Host Families
Enroll students in High School
Supervise & support students
Monthly contact with Students and
Host Families
Submit monthly reports
Provide emergency assistance
Effective Problem Solving
• Identify the problem
– Talk to HF or LC
• Choose a good time to talk
• Use “I” statements
• Listen to other point-ofview
• Explore a creative solution
Student Safety
Awareness & Prevention
Student Safety Video
Appropriate vs. Inappropriate behaviors & interactions
Who to contact should you or a friend be in an unsafe
situation
Local Coordinator
AYA office or AYA Emergency Service
• 1-800-322-4678 or
• 1-800-926-2506
Any trusted adult (guidance counselor, law
enforcement, parent of a friend)
Department of State
1-866-283-9090
Insurance
Covers required treatment by a physician,
confinement in an infirmary or hospital, services of
a nurse
Does not cover dental work, eye exams, routine
physicals, sports exams, psychological treatment
In-network physician; www.caremed-assistance.com
Regional Directors & Support Staff
Lisa Fealy
P: (203) 399-5069
E: [email protected]
Nikki Hernandez
P:(203) 399-5080
E: [email protected]
Pieter Hogoboom
P: (203) 399-5079
E [email protected]
Michael Falvey
P: (203) 399-5086
E: [email protected]
Margot Manasevit
P: (203) 399-5086
E: [email protected]
Student Support
Administrator
Elizabeth Azeizat
P: (203) 399 – 5097
E: [email protected]
Chain of Communication
Student
Local Coordinator
AYA Office
Overseas Partner
Natural Parents
Volunteerism & Special Opportunities
SAGA
Participate in AYA contests
and activities
Take part in cultural
activities
Stay Connected
• Stay connected with AYA
– Quarterly Surveys
– Connections
– LC of the Month
• Erin Sesil: [email protected]
• Current email addresses
Make memories that last a
lifetime!