Student Language Development Exchange Program

1. Student Language Development Exchange Program GETTING STARTED MEETING

2. AGENDA Introductions Program goals Intercultural Studies 35 Dates and functions Tips for the hosting period Discussion and questions

3. Welcome & Introductions • Please introduce yourself with: • Name • Program • What you are most looking forward to? • What you are most concerned or nervous about? • What do you think will be the biggest challenge in the first half of the exchange?

4. Further Introductions • International Exchange Liaison (Coordinator – Katherine / Mindy) • Alberta Education • Liaison Teachers • Partners in Germany (Hesse & Bavaria), Spain and Quebec

5. PROGRAM GOALS Identify your personal goals Why did you apply? What were you thinking?

6. What do we think? We believe that during the exchange, you will: • Develop and improve knowledge of your second language • Create new international ties: ambassador • Experience a different culture • Experience a new school system • Experience a new lifestyle • Experience personal growth • Independence • Tolerance • Understanding • Flexibility • Maturity • Problem solving

7. Intercultural Studies 35 • Pilot this year • 5 credit course • Offered by CBE • Possibly available to all AE language exchange students • Will have more information available soon (will be sent to liaison teacher and students)

8. Dates & Functions The program calendar: Germany – Hesse arrive August 22 (tbc) - Bavaria arrive August 20 Spain – arrive August 22 Quebec – arrive September 12

9. Hosting: Strategies for Success In general • Timing: pros & cons • Importance of correspondence now Matching • Best possible candidates • Partner candidates • Matches in heaven • Applications / changes / small surprises • Respect…tolerate differences….dedication • Best buddies

10. Cultural Baggage what the customs inspector doesn’t see…..

11. What is helpful to know about culture… • Culture is the internalized rules and assumptions we have for what to do, how to behave, etc • It is generally something we feel • Iceberg analogy

12. The Iceberg View of Culture Ways of Doing Food, Dress, Religious Rituals... Ways of Thinking Attitudes, Communication Styles, Perceptions, Assumptions… Ways of Being Beliefs, Values, World View…

13. Exchange students bring along the beliefs, the attitudes, and the rules for proper behaviour that they have learned at home, their “cultural baggage” • Both our and their cultural baggage is mostly invisible • And can be the source of misunderstandings and conflicts

14. Potential cross-cultural communication barriers… Perception & Stereotypes We try to fit people into patterns based on our previous experience We see what we want or expect to see and reject the possible interpretations that don’t fit with what we expect (e.g. raised voice means anger) Know your own preconceptions, learn about the other culture and be open to a different interpretation

15. Communication barriers con’t….. Non-verbal communication gestures, postures, and other ways we what we feel and think without speaking (normally so automatic we don’t think about them) Personal space Tone doesn’t translate well – “get out of here” Communication styles expressive vs. reserved (working with silence) direct / indirect

16. Cultural Differences Caution Personal / social sphere Difference in diet, daily schedule Liberal Problem solving - describe, interpret, evaluate Be open to differences / accept Sense of humour

17. Second Language Learning • The challenges of working in a second language: • They may feel like a child • Initial lack of understanding of accent or slang Make sure they understand – not just saying “yes” • Working in second language a tiring process

18. Adjusting and adapting to a new culture

19. Three kinds of adjustments • Physical adjustment – involves getting used to the more obvious differences – a new transportation system, the foods that the exchange student doesn’t have at home, the school system, etc. • Cultural adjustment – involves deeper adjustment and acceptance of the host country’s values, beliefs, and ways of doing things. • Personal adjustment is where the process of incorporating and integrating both cultures with a minimum of discord • On-going process • Varies from one individual to another and from one culture to another • End result is always a change in the individual

21. Stages of cultural adaptation • Important to note that the severity of adjustment depends on intensity factors: • Language levels • Previous experience • Culture shock or culture bumps

22. Indicators of cultural adjustment • Honeymoon phase • Excitement • Apprehension / nervousness • Culture shock • Confusion / disorientation • Frustration • Struggle with simple, everyday activities • Withdrawal • Insomnia or excessive sleeping • Unusual eating patterns – weight gain or loss • Suspicion and stereotyping of host culture • Romanticizing or rejecting the home culture

23. Recovery & Adjustment • Sense of mental well-being • More comfortable and competent when engaging with the host culture • Able to complete everyday tasks with ease • Able to articulate the likes and dislikes of their home and host cultures • Capable of problem-solving

24. How to support the student… Encourage them to: • Get a sense of their physical surroundings • show them around your home, school, neighbourhood • note locations of stores and when they are open • Show them recreational areas where you can relax or rejuvenate yourself (i.e. parks, sports facilities)

25. Understand their language and culture limits • if things get too overwhelming, encourage them to take a break • Do something familiar. • Cook a meal from home for your family • What works for them at home when they are feeling down? Reading? Listening to music? • Watch a movie in their own language • Express themselves… Talk with someone who understands • Encourage them to talk with the liaison teacher or another exchange student

26. Encourage them to: • Connect with family and friends back home • Write letters home, send e-mails to friends. Writing can be a valuable means of reconnecting when things aren’t going so well. But set a limit - too much time on the phone or the computer may be a way of withdrawing from the culture / experience. • Stay active • take walks, bike ride or other physical activity • Participate in extra curricular activities where they can meet people – at school or in the community

27. Parental Responsibility & Supervision • legally responsible • set the rules; make sure they’re understood • respect program rules • more socializing than you are comfortable with? • guest vs. family member • no minimum expectations for travel • THANK YOU for welcoming / opening your homes

28. SCHOOL • Important aspects • Full time classes • Full timetables • For you: think about it for your away phase • For partner: mix of academic & options suited to their interests & abilities • Guidelines with your liaison teacher in the School Edition Handbook • Not in the same classes as your partner after a few days • Introduce to liaison teacher & administrator • Show school layout and so on • Fees? Bussing?

29. Peculiarities & Paradoxes • Protective of partner – let go – make own friends • Space / freedom • Some separation normal – NOT neglect • Best buddies vs. siblings • Learn to draw the line: when to be together – when to have space • Me and my shadow: be patient – tables will turn! • Family members – chores and jobs will integrate – make them feel less like an outsider • Parents: be direct, no intermediaries!

30. Other hints…. • Arrival shock and jet lag • Allow for recovery • Reap what you sow • Keep you goals in mind • Remember the long term benefits of dedication • Friends and contacts across cultural & linguistic boundaries

31. Last but not least…. Important issues • Dealing with problems • Independent travel • Visits by friends or relatives • Travel to the USA • Medical issues

32. Just in case…. • Visiting students will have out-of-country medical insurance • Doctors & medi-centres will require payment up front • Pay up front • Obtain itemized list of services • Family pays you, they get the money from insurance • Emergency or hospital stay • Contact insurance company immediately • Contact our office as soon as possible • Important • Family needs to be aware of any injuries or other medical concerns. If serious, let our office know as well

33. Other information • Alberta Adventure Camp - Germany • Welcome BBQ – Spain • Program Handbook • Handout – Family Expectations • Next communications • Comments or Questions?????

34. Useful websites • www.iir.gov.ab.ca/international_relations • www.dfait_maeci.gc.ca • www.pacific.edu/sis/culture/index/htm • www.voyage.gc.ca • www.iir.gov.ab.ca/international_relations • www.dfait_maeci.gc.ca • www.pacific.edu/sis/culture/index/htm • www.voyage.gc.ca

35. Contact information Katherine McGeean / Mindy Bratvold 2nd floor, 44 Capital Blvd 10044-108 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5J 5E6 Phone: 780-427-8860 Fax: 780-644-2284 katherine.mcgeean@gov.ab.ca

36. Call toll-free in Alberta. Dial 310-0000 • You can access Alberta government offices toll-free from anywhere in the province by calling the Government of Alberta Call Centre at 310-0000. After dialing 310–0000 you will have the option of entering the number you need or holding/pressing zero for operator assistance. • Operator assisted service is available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can use the automatic connection option to enter the number you need 24 hours a day. • The toll-free 310-0000 service can also be used to send a fax to an Alberta government office. Free cell phone access • For province-wide free access from a cellular phone, enter *310 (for Rogers Wireless) or #310 (for Telus and Bell). This feature allows you to call Alberta government offices without paying long distance or airtime charges.

37. INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION BRANCH Good Luck!