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
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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
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Zero Tolerance Rules:
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Must abide by all U.S. laws
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No drinking/drug use
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No driving
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Expulsion from school
Family Rules
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Abide by all family rules including household
chores and curfews
Behavioral expectations
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Positive attitude towards school, family and
community
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Ask if you are unsure about a rule
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Think before you act
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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!