Orientation for Host Families

1
Orientation for Host Families

• Welcome!
• Thank you for coming!

2
Congratulations

• You have a new arrival!

3
Host Family Orientation Agenda

• What is AYA?
• Purpose of the Program
• Who are AYA Students?
• Responsibilities of Host Families, Students
  Local Coordinators
• AYA Rules Regulations
• Student Safety Video
• Important Topics
• Calendar of Events
• End of Year
• AYA Support Team
• Q A

4
What is AYA?

• One of the worlds most respected high school
  student exchange programs
• Over 30,000 students placed
• Nearly 1,000 high school students live with host
  families across the U.S every year.

• AYA Motto
• We bring the world together

5
Purpose of the AYA Program

• Provide high school students an opportunity to
  spend a year studying in another country,
  learning the language, discovering the culture,
  developing skills and maturity
• Bring the world into our local communities
  through friendship
• Promote AYA goal of world peace and
  understanding, one person, one exchange at a time

6
Who are AYA Students?

• Outstanding young people between the ages of 15
  and 18
• Carefully selected well-prepared students
• Most speak English well
• Anxious and excited to
• Improve their English
• Discover American Culture
• Represent their countries
• Become part of your family

7
Responsibilities of Host Families

• Welcome student as a family member
• Provide a safe and suitable home
• Provide students with own bed place to study
• Provide all meals except school lunches
• Provide transportation to from school and
  religious services
• Help with challenges
• School, Culture shock, Language, Homesickness
• Encourage the exchange of cultural ideas
• Realistic expectations

8
Responsibilities of Students

• Serve as ambassadors from their countries and to
  teach Americans about their culture
• Follow all AYA, Host Family school rules
• Adapt to Host Family and be involved with their
  activities and help with chores
• Perform well in schools
• Communicate openly in English
• Take care of personal expenses

9
Responsibilities of Local Coordinators

• Recruiting, interviewing selecting safe and
  suitable host families
• Enrolling student in local high school
• Supervising student host family
• Monthly contacts with students and families
• Submit monthly reports
• Answer questions and provide emergency assistance
• Encourage students to participate in AYA
  activities

10
Rules Regulations

• Family Rules
• Expectations Worksheet
• AYA rules
• Discipline Policy
• Mediation and Communication

11
Important Topics

• Student Travel
• Medical Insurance
• School Information
• Cultural Activities
• Volunteering

12
Calendar of Events

• Holiday Parties
• Community Service Projects
• Cultural Enhancement Trips
• Fund-raisers

13
The End of the Year

• Leaving for home will be harder than leaving home
  was a year earlier
• Reverse cultural shock
• The more successful the exchange, the harder the
  re-entry
• You may see them again, and you will have travel
  opportunities unlike any youve experienced
  before
• Closure activity

14
AYA Support Team

• Local Coordinator_____________
• Regional Director _____________
• 1-800-322-4678 ext ________
• AYA Headquarters
• 1-800-322-4678

15

• Questions

16

• Thank You!