Host Family Orientation

1. Host Family Orientation Academic Year in America

2. agenda • Welcome • About AYA & Grant Programs • Host Family Commitment • Student Disciplinary Process • Things You Should Know • Student Safety • End-of-Stay Prep • Welcoming Your Student

3. Welcome Welcome to the AYA family! We are very pleased that you have chosen to host an exchange student this year with Academic Year in America(AYA), a program of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation.

4. About academic year in America

5. History of aya • Academic Year in America (AYA) is a cultural high school exchange visitor program. • It has been in operation since 1981 and is conducted under the auspices of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Foundation. • The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1967 with the assistance of the late Robert F. Kennedy. • It has been designated by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) as an Exchange Visitor Program authorized to issue the Form DS-2019, which enables qualified participants to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa from the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

6. History of grant programs YES PROGRAM • Established by Congress after events of 9/11 • Public diplomacy initiative to encourage understanding between Americans and people in countries with significant Muslim populations FLEX PROGRAM • Senator Bill Bradley created program in 1993 • Provides scholarships to students from countries of Eurasia to experience life in a democratic society

7. AYA’s mission & vision Mission “We bring the world together.” Vision “AYA’s mission is to encourage and inspire young people to become considerate, forward-thinking citizens of the world by creating dynamic educational opportunities to share beliefs, ideologies, and values across cultures. We are committed to providing these experiences with an unrivaled commitment to the safety of our students.”

8. YES & FLEX goals and objectives • Promote mutual understanding, respect, international security and peace (YES) • Acquire understanding of American values, qualities of leadership and civil society (FLEX/YES) • Develop an appreciation for American culture (FLEX) • Show willingness and commitment to serve as agents for change in home communities (FLEX) • Interact with Americans and generate enduring ties (FLEX/YES) • Share what they have learned and make a difference in home countries (YES)

9. Overseas component • AYA works closely with American Councils (Administrative Organization) on the placement and supervision of YES and FLEX students. • American Councils is a liaison between AYA, Department of State and the various Recruiting Organizations throughout the world. • American Councils and the Recruiting Organizations work together on student recruitment, selection, pre-departure and arrival orientations and Alumni programming

10. Students with disabilities • YES and FLEX programs put special emphasis on recruitment of students with disabilities with the expectation that students can take what they experience here to be an advocate for accessibility and rights of people with disabilities in their home countries. • Prior to arrival to their host family, students with disabilities attend a three day workshop run by Mobility International USA. During the workshop students practice approaches to disability-related situations, have mentoring sessions and join various activities to practice leadership, team-work and problem solving skills.

11. YES ABROAD • Merit-based scholarships for U.S. secondary students to study in select countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Thailand, Turkey • Living with a host family and attending a local school, YES Abroad students promote mutual understanding between the United States and the host country by forming lasting relationships with the local community • Visit www.yes-abroad-org to learn more!

12. National Office- Organizational Chart

13. Key players- throughout the U.S

14. Local Coordinator (LC) • Community representatives of the AYA program. • Volunteers who share a belief in the value of cross-cultural exchange. • What Coordinators are responsible for: • Screening, interviewing, and selecting safe and suitable host families. • Enrolling students in local public or private high schools. • Providing host families with a pre-arrival orientation.

15. Local Coordinator (ctd.) • Supervising and counseling families and students during the year. • Facilitating strategies for adjustment issues and conflict-resolution throughout the year. • Contacting students and host families monthly/providing monthly student reports to AYA. • Making sure students are safe throughout the program. • Informing the National Office of any concerns. • Answering questions and providing emergency assistance. • Relocating students locally to other homes if necessary.

16. Second Visitors • In addition to your Local Coordinator checking in on you and your student each month, your home is required to be inspected again. • The DOS requires that someone other than the Coordinator who helped initially vet your home and family go into your home and ensure that it is still a safe and suitable place for the student to be. • This is required to be completed within the first 30-45 days of the student’s arrival. • The individual contacting your family to set this visit up will either be another Coordinator in the area, or another AYA representative.

17. Host familycommitment

18. Host family commitment introduction • AYA’s goal is to ensure that our students and host families all enjoy a safe and mutually rewarding experience within a culture of mutual understanding and respect for others. • We ask that all participants and volunteers adhere to a code of conduct that ensures that all individuals involved feel safe, respected, and enriched by the experience. • By hosting a student, host families agree to support our shared goals and abide by AYA’s rules and guidelines.

19. Hosting requirements A safe and sanitary home environment that includes: • A bedroom for the student (may be shared with no more than one other sibling of the same sex and age range). • A proper bed (futons, air mattresses and pull-out sofas are prohibited by federal regulations). • A quiet place to study. • Three quality meals a day.

20. Hosting requirements (ctd.) • Reasonable access to phone/internet so that the student may contact his/her natural parents, Local Coordinator and other support outlets. • Transportation to and from school (bus, parent, carpool, etc.), and transportation to a student’s religious services (if applicable).

21. Host Family Communication Requirements

22. Safety requirements • Report any safety concerns immediately to Local Coordinator and/or the AYA National Office immediately. • This includes any actual or alleged allegations of abuse or exploitation, self-harming behavior or major accidents or illnesses. • The AYA emergency answering service is available 24/7 for assistance and support. (800.926.2506)

23. Safety requirements (ctd.) • Provide appropriate supervision to your student at all times. • AYA students are not permitted to spend weekends or vacations at home alone or without adult supervision. • If you are planning on being away from the home for more than a day, please contact your Local Coordinator to coordinate alternate housing arrangements for your student.

24. Safety requirements (ctd.) • In any home where firearms or any other weapons are present (bow and arrow, knives, hand guns, etc.), families are required to store such weapons properly under lock and keys in a secure location that will not be accessible to a student at anytime. • AYA students are strictly prohibited from using or even handling any type of firearm, even if being supervised by an instructor or trained host parent.

25. prohibitions • Students should not be expected to baby-sit or assume a disproportionate amount of household responsibility on a regular basis. • Chores given to students should be reasonable, age-appropriate and equitable among household members. • Students are not permitted to work. Students may earn pocket money by doing small jobs for no more than 10 hours a week (i.e. paid baby-sitting, yard work, etc.)

26. Prohibitions (ctd.) • Students may not drink alcohol under any circumstances, even with permission from an adult or host parent. • Students may not drive or operate a motor vehicle under any circumstance, except during the course of an accredited driver’s education course with a certified driving instructor. *Grant students may not drive a motor vehicle under any circumstance. • AYA students are also strictly prohibited from operating or being a passenger on ATVs, motorcycles and other recreational vehicles. • Students may not be passengers in a private plane or helicopter.

27. Prohibitions (ctd.) • Students may not be charged for food, gas, household utilities, or any expense related to food or housing. • Students should pay for their own entertainment and personal items, including their own cell phone plan. • Host families may not lend money to or borrow money from a student for any reason.

28. Prohibitions (ctd.) • Pursuant to federal regulations, student must be in possession of their own passports and DS-2019 forms at all times. • No person, including a host family member or Local Coordinators, may withhold a student’s personal identification or travel documents for any reason, including for safe-keeping.

29. Student disciplinary process

30. The aya process • Communication • Open communication is crucial. AYA cannot stress enough the importance of reporting any issues big or small to your Local Coordinator • To effectively counsel a student and identify a successful action plan or disciplinary process, AYA must be aware of the situation from the beginning. • It is often difficult for visiting students to tell their host family that something is bothering them (and vice versa). • Do not try to solve issues on your own. • Your student is part of AYA- it is important that your LC and AYA know what’s going on in terms of adjustment or possible behavioral or adaptation concerns.

31. Aya program rules • There are many rules our students have to follow, but the main Zero Tolerance Rules are: • Students must abide, at all times, by all state and federal laws. • Students are strictly prohibited from purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol. • Students are prohibited from the sale, possession or use of illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia under any circumstances. This applies to prescription drugs used or obtained without a prescriptions; for recreational use; or abused with a prescription. • Expulsion from school, for any reason, will result in immediate program disqualification. • Breaking any of these rules will result in immediate disqualification from the program.*For Grant students, only the DOS has the authority to disqualify a student.

32. Disciplinary policies and procedures • The AYA Disciplinary Process is in place in order to objectively assess each situation. • Major disciplinary decisions, including formal disciplinary action, are made at the discretion of the AYA Disciplinary Committee based on information provided by the LC, the host family, the student, and the high school (when applicable).

34. Tips for A Successful Mediation/ Family Meeting • Be open to it! • Listen carefully and do not assume. • Positive body language • Your student is more out of their comfort zone than you are. • Consider the language barrier • Ask clarifying questions • Expect to make some adjustments as well • Give yourself and the student time to process the situation.

38. Medical Disqualification • In the unfortunate situation that a student falls ill or requires medical treatment beyond the scope of what an AYA host family can provide, a student may be terminated from the program. • Reasons for medical disqualification include, but are not limited to: • Discovery of preexisting medical conditions not disclosed on a student’s application, particularly nervous disorders or conditions that require close monitoring by a physician • Injuries requiring surgery and/or ongoing physical therapy • Serious medical conditions that require extensive medical care and follow-up care • Eating disorders • Emotional or psychological concerns

39. Medical Disqualification (ctd.) • It is never an easy decision to end a student’s program. AYA must carefully consider current and future risk to the student, the ability of a host family and Local Coordinator to reasonably care for that student for the remainder of the year, as well as insurance coverage and limitations. • Most importantly, AYA considers the best interest of the student which (the disappointment of leaving the program early notwithstanding), is usually to return to their home country where they can receive medical treatment and follow up care with the support and supervision of their natural parents. • Ultimately, however, a student’s long-term medical care and needs are best determined by their natural parents. Once the decision has been made, we ask that host families support their student by supporting our decision.

40. Things you should know

41. The ups and downs • Homesickness • Very common! • These feelings can be exacerbated by the holidays/events. • Assure your student that feelings of missing home, family, and friends are natural and that they will pass. • Their feelings of homesickness may come and go throughout the year. • Plan fun activities/ encourage him/her to participate in school activities as well. • Work on increasing the communication with your student. • Let your LC know what’s going on.

42. Culture shock • Some students may feel excited to start something new and happy when they first arrive, but after a few weeks of living in the U.S. and attending an American high school, they may start to feel anxious, shy, lonely, or hesitant to get involved. • Remind him/her about how important it is to be open-minded about this experience, to be friendly with others, and willing to try new things. • Again, communicate! Talk to your student about how they are feeling. Let your LC know what’s going on.

43. Culture: Seen vs. Unseen

44. Cultural considerations You may encounter behaviors or customs that are very different, which is a great learning opportunity! By understanding your student’s culture, it will help minimize misunderstandings or miscommunication. YES Students • Prayers: Your Muslim student may pray 5 times a day. Should he/she wish to pray, he/she should be allowed to go to a quiet, clean place and not be disturbed during prayer (about 10 minutes or so) • Cleansing prior to prayer is essential. If you find your bathroom floor wet, talk to your student about drying the floor. Placing a fresh bucket of water in the bathroom could be a friendly gesture. • Ramadan: During the holiday, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sundown. • Dogs/Pets: Students may have a fear of dogs which is not a common pet. It may take your student a while to feel comfortable around your pets. • Gender Relationships: Students may not be comfortable or used to having close friendships with members of the opposite sex. If you find your student is having trouble interacting with a member of the opposite sex, take the opportunity to discuss gender relationships.

45. Cultural considerations contd. Many values, beliefs and behaviors of FLEX students have been shaped by the political, economic and family structure of Eurasia. You may observe the following behaviors of your FLEX student: • Persistence when told “no” • Not smiling • Dependence on your or their natural family • Difficulty taking personal responsibility You can help your students adjust by giving them clear guidelines about what you expect from them, focus on leadership activities, and enable them to understand the American culture through open discussion

46. food • As a HF, you must provide an adequate, balanced diet to your student (3 meals per day). If a student wishes to purchase hot lunch at school, he or she is responsible for paying for it *(except for FLEX/YES students, as HF is responsible for school lunch). • If you go out to eat as a family, you are expected to pay for the student, as you would any other member of your family. If the student is out socially with friends, the student is responsible for purchasing meals during that time. • They may take some time to adjust to your family’s diet and American food altogether. Find out in the first few days if there are foods that your student cannot eat due to specific dietary restrictions, allergies, or religious reasons.

47. food • Host families are sometimes amazed by the quantity of food exchange students consume. It’s important to remember that growing teens of any culture require a lot of nourishment and sustenance to maintain their energy levels. • Eating habits can change or fluctuate as a result of culture shock or homesickness. If you suspect this is the case, talk about it with your student. • Some students may be concerned that they are going to gain weight in the U.S., which may influence some of their dietary choices. • It’s important to remind your student that maintaining a balance of a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to stay healthy. • If you feel that your student’s eating habits are affecting his/her overall health, it is important that you contact your Local Coordinator right away so that he or she can work with you and the National Office to ensure that your student remains healthy on the program.

48. High school • AYA does not guarantee grade assignment, a receipt of a diploma or participation in graduation ceremonies, or participation in sports to any of its students. • Each student must achieve at least a “C+” average in every class (we allow the first quarter for settling in) and demonstrate a positive attitude in school. • Spend a few hours with your student visiting school before it opens, if possible. • It will take them some time to adjust- be patient!

49. Sports & Activities • AYA encourages all students to become an active member of the student body, either through sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities. For students who cannot play sports, AYA encourages them to find other local athletic intramural teams or join other clubs and activities. • It is important that host families encourage students to become involved, as it will help them grow, socialize, and round out their experience in the U.S.

50. Guidelines forDangerous & risky activities • Participants are not permitted to engage in any activities not covered by program or supplemental medical insurance. • Activities may include but are not limited to: driving any motorized vehicle (such as a car, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, etc.), riding as a passenger in off-road vehicles or in a non-commercial aircraft, hang gliding, bungee jumping, jumping on a trampoline, parachute jumping, parasailing, scuba diving,  mountain biking, mountaineering, rock climbing, skate boarding, extreme sports, and handling or using a firearm or other weapon. • Participants are encouraged to refer to their policy to find out what activities are excluded from coverage • If any of the abovementioned activities is covered by insurance and is permitted by AYA then permission must be obtained from the natural parents before allowing students to participate