The Homebound Syndrome… A Sequel (on the hazards of never leaving home electronically)

1. The original presentation of this Powerpoint had video clips which could not be incorporated into this version. To obtain instructions as to how to obtain the full version contact Dennis White at dkwhite@itol.com

2. The Homebound Syndrome…A Sequel(on the hazards of never leaving home electronically) Dennis White dkwhite@itol.com www.yeoresources.com

3. Throughout this presentations, hyperlinks will appear at various times. When this Powerpoint presentation is viewed online, clicking on any of these hyperlinks will take the viewer to additional articles, presentations or websites on www.yeoresoures.org.

4. Part I:The Inbound Syndrome • The tendency for expatriates (not just Youth Exchange students) to bond with one another • Not good, not bad, just is - but has implications for immersion in the host culture The Inbound Syndrome revised.doc

5. Part II:The Homebound Syndrome • The tendency for Youth Exchange students to maintain continual electronic communication with family and friends back home • Not good, not bad, just is - but has implications for immersion in the host culture

6. Some historical comments on the “younger generation” Children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they allow disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children now are tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up food at the table, …and tyrannize their teachers. Socrates, 469-339 B.C.

7. Beloit College Mindset 2012 • They have always lived in cyberspace, addicted to a new generation of “electronic narcotics.” • If they miss The Daily Show, they can always get their news on YouTube.  • They have never seen an airplane “ticket.” • They can’t picture people actually carrying luggage through airports rather than rolling it.

8. Beloit College Mindset 2012 • The Green Bay Packers have always celebrated with the Lambeau Leap. • Outdated icons with images of floppy discs for “save,” a telephone for “phone,” and a snail mail envelope for “mail” have oddly decorated their tablets and smart phone screens.

9. Beloit College Mindset 2012 • They have had to incessantly remind their parents not to refer to their CDs and DVDs as “tapes.” • Point-and-shoot cameras are soooooo last millennium. • The Metropolitan Opera House in New York has always translated operas on seatback screens.

10. Beloit College Mindset 2012 • Before they purchase an assigned textbook, they will investigate whether it is available for rent or purchase as an e-book. • They watch television everywhere but on a television. • Probably the most tribal generation in history, they despise being separated from contact with their similar-aged friends. 

11. Beloit College Mindset 2012 They have always been “connected”

12. Parents of today’s 16-17 year olds:Probably born between 1955 and 1975(If born in 1955) • Were 2 years old when Sputnik was launched. • Had stay-at-home moms. • Were 8 years old when JKF was assassinated. • Were too young to go to Woodstock • Were one year olds when Elvis appeared on Ed Sullivan.

13. Parents of today’s 16-17 year olds:Probably born between 1955 and 1975(If born in 1975) • Were 1 year olds for the U.S. bicentennial. • Probably never used rotary phones. • Were the first generation with a majority of working moms. • Were two years old when Elvis died. • Ask “Who’s Ed Sullivan?”

14. Invasive Parenting • Helicopter Parents • Curling Parents • Similar phrases for this phenomenon exist in many cultures today

15. A Helicopter Parent…. • Will do homework for their child because they do not want them to fail • Fill out the college applications and SAT’s • Probably filling out RYE applications too • Write letter of recommendation and ask teacher to sign • Are the ones taking notes at Orientations • Try to make their child’s life perfect • Take away all pain and frustration = no psychological skills for happiness

16. The New Global Student Maya Frost

17. “Swaddling our kids in bubble wrap prevents them from experiencing and developing the ability to adapt in unpredictable circumstances. In making life easier for their kids in the short term parents are making it harder for them in the long term. In addition, they are depriving their children of meaning and a shot at deep satisfaction”. Hara Estroff Marano, A Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting Quoted in The New Global Student by Maya Frost

18. The progression of international communication Land mail Placing an overseas call Direct Dial Calling cards Fax Email Blogs Skype Instant messaging (texting, etc.) Facebook! Twitter???

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23. “Last year the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda asked 1,000 students from across five continents to not use media for one day and then report back. They… reported feeling depressed and lonely. They…felt that living without (their cell phones) was like losing a part of their identity.”

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25. "My dream is for every 17-year old to become a Youth Exchange Student.  If we could achieve this, there would be no more wars."  Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, Rotary International President 2004-2005

27. Why is this important for Youth Exchange? 1. Over-bonding with other Inbound students (The Inbound Syndrome) 2. Never leaving home electronically (The Homebound Syndrome) Among the top reasons exchanges fail are:

28. Stages of Culture Shock • Initial excitement • Irritability and negativeness • Gradual adaptation • Biculturalism Culture Shock.doc

29. Rotary Youth Exchange Culture Shock Cycle Months Pre-Departure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …... Normal Level of Feelings Adapted from a model by Robert Kohls

30. Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativism Gradual adjustment and adaptation Integration and bi-culturalism

31. If the easiest response to the Irritability and negativism stage is to find comfort with other Inbounds or electronically with friends and family at home, the student may get stuck going back and forth from stage one to two, in a vicious cycle

32. Stages of Culture Shock: Initial enthusiasm and excitement Irritability and negativism (Discomfort) 3. Gradual adjustment and adaptation 4. Integration and bi-culturalism

33. Two central issues, closely related: • Instant Communication • Intrusive Parenting

34. Examples of how students manage the IB/HB Syndrome: • The student who insists that people speak in the host country language, even when very difficult • The student who voluntarily restricts internet and text messaging to a few hours a week • The student who first goes to host parents and local RYE officer with problems, rather than someone back home

35. Examples of how students manage the IB/HB Syndrome: • The student who volunteers in a local orphanage or other service project • The student who speaks with other Inbounds in the host country language, rather than English

36. Examples of how YEOs manage the IB/HB Syndrome • Explain the Inbound Syndrome to students early in their stay • Challenge them to voluntarily manage contact with other Inbounds • Limit the number of Inbounds in any one club or school

37. Examples of how YEOs manage the IB/HB Syndrome: • Limit the number of Inbound gatherings • Limit unofficial gathering of Inbounds • Insist Inbounds speak the host country language at Inbound events

38. Aren’t these the things we tell students anyway? • Sometimes we get caught up in the good feelings that come when Inbounds gather • Sometimes we confuse a good time with a good experience

39. Extreme Responses • Giving up – “There’s nothing we can do about it” • Rules intended to prohibit or control

40. Reasonable Responses • Accept – These two phenomena are with us for the foreseeable future • Inform – Give people, parents, students, YEOs information on how and why intrusive parenting and instant communication can interfere with immersion into the host culture • Challenge - If students can manage their own behavior they can make a good exchange become a great exchange

41. Discussion: Implications for Youth Exchange • Challenge students to set goals and make agreements about electronic contact back home • Challenge students to decide what kind of exchange they want to have – a good one, or a great one

42. Implications for Youth Exchange • Interviews and Selection. • Parent and Student Orientations. • Hosting Inbounds. • Managing the exchange year. • Communicating with the student, pre-exchange, exchange and post- exchange. • And any other topics you wish.

43. The Homebound Syndrome…A Sequel(on the hazards of never leaving home electronically) Dennis White dkwhite@itol.com www.yeoresources.com