1. Welcome to MyEducation (UK)
Arrival Orientation

2. Agenda Introductions Expectations Rules Host Families
Culture Shock and Homesickness
Student Support

3. Intro’s That’s us – now let’s get to know you!
Nicky Butler – Country Manager
Sally Webb – Student Coordinator
That’s us – now let’s get to know you!

4. Expectations

5. Expectations What are you expecting from: Yourself Your host family
Your Area Representative
Your School
Please complete the Expectations page

6. MyEducation (UK) expects that you will:
Follow all rules and guidelines
Make a genuine effort to integrate in to your new community
Appreciate the efforts of your host family
Talk to your Area Representative about any problems
Don’t make life changing decisions
Send us your reports
Have fun!

7. Your host family expects you will:
Share their lives and participate in family activities
Offer to help around the house
Share your culture and yourself
Follow household rules and curfews
Show appreciation
Be open and honest
Let them know where you are going and if you are running late

8. Your Area Representative expects you will:
Keep in contact
Let them know if you are having any problems
Keep the rules of the program

9. Your school expects you will:
Attend scheduled classes and school activities
Obtain at least a ‘C’ in all classes (in English speaking countries)
Attempt all requested work and make an effort to improve language skills (non-English speaking countries)
Not take time out of school term to travel

10. Review again your expectations

11. Rules

12. Rules You have heard them before but they are really important
These are for YOUR safety and wellbeing
There is a rules sheet on your desk for you to keep
Small number of rules you need to follow.
Firstly obey the rules of the country
The rules sheet for you to keep on your desk with the rules. They are:
Students MUST NOT drink alcohol, smoke or possess or use any illegal drug.
Legal age to drink and purchase cigarettes is 18

13. Disciplinary Procedures
The normal disciplinary procedure is:
Warning (behaviour contract)
Probation
Dismissal
There may be cases in which a student is immediately disqualified from the exchange programme without following the procedure outlined or where one of the steps is omitted.
Page 18 in the Student Handbook

14. Contact Head Office if you need one of these forms
Travel Release from Hazardous release form Programme release form
Page 18 – 19 in the student handbook - Be mindful of your activities – Open Sea swimming – potential dangerous activity and will need to be approved.
Contact Head Office if you need one of these forms

15. Warning or Going Home?
You have stolen your host parents car and driving it into a tree
You have been travelling without a release form
You are pregnant
You have come home drunk from a party and you have upset your host family
You have been caught shoplifting
You have not done your work from school and the staff have contact the host family
Game – with labels under the charis

16. Host Families

17. Host family discussion points
What to call your host parents
Family routines
Clarify family rules
Understand your household chores
Laundry
How does everything work
Where are things kept
Transport
Friends
Telephone usage
Internet usage

18. Hotspots with host families
Internet usage
Housework/Chores
Balancing time with family & friends
Manners
Curfew
Money
Phone calls
Religion
Siblings
- Jealousy/Dependency
- Friends/School

19. Culture Shock and Homesickness

20. Getting used to the Language
Be Patient
Express yourself
Practice, Practice, Practice
Learn to laugh at yourself
Online aids

21. Stereotypes / Culture shock
How many can we come up with?
Stereotypes of British people
Stereotypes of your country

22. Culture shock
Culture shock is the disorientation or confusion that a person feels when moving from a familiar environment to an unfamiliar one.
Almost everyone who lives, studies or works overseas will go through some degree of culture shock.
Arrival
Adjustment
Departure

23. Homesickness How do you overcome homesickness? Stay busy
Take initiative
Limit contact with home
Meet up with friends
Talk to your local support network – tell someone!
Plan activities

24. Student Support

25. Support You should understand :
who you can go to for help while in the UK
ways to look for support outside your normal system
you are not a ‘passive player’.
you must be open & communicative about problems or issues that arise

26. Support Network YOU HOST FAMILY NATURAL FAMILY AREA REPRESENTATIVE
HOME ORGANISATION
MYEDUCATION (UK)

27. This is not an out of hours number
Emergencies
While on exchange you will have access to a 24 hour emergency line. You should call this number if your safety and wellbeing is at risk.
This is not an out of hours number

28. Grievance Procedures
If you have a concern that you don't believe has been adequately dealt with please follow the procedure outline below:
Contact Area Rep
Contact MyEducation (UK) Office
Contact your home organisation
No heading in the handbook

29. It’s tempting but be careful
Communication with home
It’s tempting but be careful
Every moment you spend on the phone, Facebook or Skype is time that you are missing here in the UK
Your family cannot solve your problems as easily
Regular contact will only increase homesickness
Contact with parents slideWhat have you agreed with your parents about contacting them?
How many times have you contacted them?

30. It’s ok to tell that person to stop
Sexual Abuse
If you feel uncomfortable about the attention you are receiving, whether it be:
physical hugs, cuddles, touching, kissing, or
stares, comments, invitations or other things
It’s ok to tell that person to stop
Tell your area representative or host organisation or MyEducation – you do not have to tolerate it

31. Student Case Studies
Please read the handout and consider the student situations and the related questions.
AIM:
To understand situations you might face and the role that your area representative will play in managing and resolving any difficulties.

32. Issue Resolution
If a problem arises we will only know if you tell someone
The student must take responsibility in alerting someone to the issue
If you do not speak to someone within the organisation, we will not be able to help you

33. Summary Open your mind Take responsibility Express yourself
Understanding
Patience & perseverance
Have a sense of humour
Have fun

34. Quiz Are you allowed to drink alcohol while on exchange?
Where can you get a release form?
What will happen if you are suspended from school?
What should you do if you will be home later than you told your host parents?
Who should you call or speak to if you are feeling homesick or struggling with culture shock?
What should you do if you say something incorrectly in English?
Who should you contact in an emergency situation?

35. London trip - 26th – 27th November 2016
COST: £120 + return travel to London
Ride on the London Eye
Take a river cruise on the Thames
See the Christmas lights
Take a bus tour
See the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
Visit Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street and Covent Garden
Overnight accommodation a stone’s throw away from St Paul’s Cathedral
Booking required by September 23rd

36. Will you have an incredible time overseas in the UK?

37. Thank you so much for your time and attention
Any questions?
Thank you so much for your time and attention