Area Representative Training

Purpose of meeting Explain who MyEducation (UK) is Explain the role of Area Representative Being an Area Representative for a student Managing issues and support

MyEducation Established in Denmark in 1995 Our mission is to promote the cultural and linguistic understanding of young people and give them an opportunity to learn more about other people and themselves. Established in Denmark in 1995 MyEducation opened a Norwegian office in November 2012 and in the UK in June 2013 We have partners around the world who make these programmes possible Area representatives and host families across the UK host exchange students

MyEducation…cont We send young people aged 15-35 years across the world to participate in our programmes. High School GoCampus (coming soon) AuPair Internships/Traineeships USA Live and Learn Brazil and Germany

What is an Area Representative? An Area Representative who is someone who offers local support to students and families and acts as a volunteer representative of MyEducation (UK). A friendly face and a source of information Someone who can discuss concerns without bias or prejudice Someone who can offer sound advice Someone who enjoys working with young people and hopes to help make their exchange a positive one A source of information about the local area

Benefits of an exchange for a student Live like a local with a host family Attend a local high school Make new friends Learn a new language Become more confident, mature, responsible and independent Opens up opportunities for you in the future Have a lot of fun!

Host Families Host families come in all shapes and sizes and are volunteers who are reimbursed for hosting – a modest amount Students should be welcomed into their home and family They are expected to help at home e.g. Do the dishes, empty the bins Follow the family rules – curfews, homework, TV etc. Show gratitude to the family for hosting House and programme rules are very important They will have a room at the house and meals Some families choose to host more than one exchange student Families can be based anywhere in the country, usually suburban or rural

Host Families How do we find host families? Interested families are visited in their homes by staff and discuss why they wish to host, what they hope to gain from the experience and what they can offer a student References and criminal background checks are completed When the family is approved they work with staff to choose a student based on interests, family background, nationality etc. Family and student contact details then shared

School in the UK Students are enrolled into Year 12 at a local high school or Sixth Form college Expected to attend full time unless ill Focus on good grades and excellent participation All students have proven to be strong academically in their home country Study several subjects but first choice is not always available Expected to try your best to make an effort with the language and homework They are enrolled for free at the school so please join clubs and show gratitude for them accepting you

Programme Rules No alcohol, smoking or drugs (use, purchase or possession) No driving of any motorised vehicle Students must make a genuine effort to assimilate to their host family and follow the host family rules Students must abide by the school rules and make an effort at school and maintain equivalent grades when in an English speaking country No independent travel Abide by the decisions of MyEducation and the partner organisation and Area Representative

Disciplinary Procedures There may be cases in which a student is immediately disqualified from the exchange programme without following the procedure outlined below or where one of the steps is omitted. Such cases would involve serious infractions of MyEducation (UK) rules, or overseas laws. Disciplinary decisions are made by our overseas partners in consultation with MyEducation. The normal disciplinary procedure is: Warning (behaviour contract) Probation Dismissal

Support Structure The primary contact person for the student and family is the Area Representative We stress the importance of using the local contacts as they are the best people to help and give rapid advice Students and families receive your contact details once their placement is confirmed Students are encouraged to contact the Area Representative if they have difficulties or questions Natural parents should not contact the Area Representative directly Students and families can contact the main office and speak with staff Bi-monthly progress reports are requested from the students

Support Structure Student Area Representative Natural Parents Host Family MyEducation staff Partner Office

How to manage your role Area Representatives are given a level of freedom in how to manage the role. Minimum requirements are: a face-to-face meeting with the student once a every other month – recommend in a place away from HF home Contact between these meetings on a monthly basis by phone Monthly contact with host family by phone or email This can be agreed with the family as to what they believe is needed If a student or family is experiencing issues then contact will need to be more regular than this Bi-monthly update requested from the office on each student

Common Issues Student spending too much time online/phone/Skype Student not helping around the home Student not talking much and spending time with the family Family are too strict Family not involving the student in activities Student not bonding with family or siblings Student not able to find local clubs/groups Student not making friends at school Student feeling homesick or experiencing culture shock Families expecting too much from the student

How to deal with a complex issue Speak in a confidential manner with the student/HF member who has raised the issue Contact the office for support and guidance on how best to proceed Based on advice it is likely that you will need to speak with the other party confidentially Often bringing both sides together can help to talk through the issues calmly with your presence Agree at the end of the meeting on changes and suggestions to help solve the concern Report back to the office about the meeting and monitor progress

Serious concerns If it is reported to you that a student is being abused or if their safety and welfare is in question then you must immediately contact the office. You should use the emergency phone number if it is out of hours. 02380 970 242 If you have concerns for the safety of the student do not hesitate to contact us. We will respond and advise on the best course of action.

Arrival of a student Either you as the local Representative or a MyEducation staff member will conduct the arrival orientation. These should be completed within 2 weeks of arrival. It is best to complete the session as a group if you have more than one student. Topics covered include: Support Structures Living with a host family School Rules and discipline Homesickness These are fun sessions that help you get to know the students. All documents are provided

Other roles for an Area Representative Representatives may be asked to complete other tasks for the organisation and these are entirely optional. Host family interviews Host family recruitment Outbound interviews School enrolments Marketing of MyEducation programmes

Reimbursement Reimbursement is offered for all activities. The aim is to cover the costs involved in carrying out the role. Reimbursement paid on 15th of month for the previous month, eg. payment on January 15th is for tasks completed in December Reimbursement only paid when reports are submitted to the office AR should complete a reimbursement request form for additional activities outside of supervision Paid directly into your bank account

Thank you for listening. Any questions?