The First Student VisitYOUTH FORUNDERSTANDING

The First Student VisitGetting Off to a Good Start!

Thank you to Madeleine Henderson, a volunteer in the Northeast District, for developing this training session.

The First Student VisitThe First Student Visit

Help make your repping easier and more rewarding

Help your students shape a successful adjustment

Begin a mutually-beneficial relationship with your student

A successful First Visit canA successful First Visit can

The First Student Visit

What is a What is a goodgood Student-Area Rep relationship?Student-Area Rep relationship?

How can we make a good start?How can we make a good start?

The First Student Visit

Where and When?Where and When?• A relaxed place

• A private space

• Don’t be rushed

The First Student Visit

How do you set a relaxed tone?How do you set a relaxed tone?• Tell a little about yourself

• Tell why you chose to be an Area Rep

• Ask about the student’s natural family – siblings?

• Not too personal – avoid putting them on the spot

• Show empathy – be a good listener.

The First Student Visit

Exchange is hard. A successful

exchange requires courage and

sustained effort.

The First Student Visit

• Do you have friends who have been/are YFU students? Where are they/where did they go?

• How did you get interested in YFU?

• Tell about this student group and this year’s activities

• Ask about home country orientation

• Are you using things that you learned at your orientation?

• What do you expect from your year?

• What are your concerns about the year?

Possible Conversation TopicsPossible Conversation Topics

The First Student Visit

You also need to ask about:You also need to ask about:Money• Did you bring cash?

• Did you talk with your parents about spending limits?

• How will you get money?

• Are you worried about having enough money?

• Do you know how to budget your money?

Storage of Valuables• Put cash in a safe place

• Copy your passport and put the passport in a safe place

The First Student Visit

• What I will do for you.

• What I expect from you.

• How we can work together.

Ask: As you understand it, what Ask: As you understand it, what is the role of an Area Rep?is the role of an Area Rep?

The First Student Visit

I want to be your advocate sounding board resource friend Help me be

a good Area Rep

too!

The First Student Visit

What information do you need to What information do you need to convey at this 1convey at this 1stst meeting? meeting?

• Tips for adjustment in the Host Family

• Tips for adjustment in school

• Policy reminders

The First Student Visit

• Communicate…Communicate…Communicate

(How Do You Do Things in Your Home?)

• Getting Started – Suggestions from YFU Students

• Making Friends – Ways to Get Started

Tips for Adjustment in the FamilyTips for Adjustment in the Family

You must invest in your year. Do not keep one foot in your home

country.

The First Student Visit

Tips for Adjustment at SchoolTips for Adjustment at School• Tips for Choosing Courses & School Activities

• Tips on Exchange Students’ Responsibility to schools

The First Student Visit

Tips for General AdjustmentTips for General Adjustment• First Visit Check List

• Welcome letter from previous student Your

experience will be what YOU

make of it. It’s an

accumulation of all choices

you make.

The First Student Visit

Policy RemindersPolicy Reminders• Passport to the USA (student handbook)

• Policy List

• Dangerous activities

• Travel policy and Permission to Travel Form

• Cell phone

• Computer and internet use

The First Student Visit

Conclude Your First VisitConclude Your First Visit• Do you have questions?

• Keep these materials to read

• Provide your contact information (telephone and email)

• Schedule your next meeting or contact

The First Student Visit

The First Student Visit

The First Student Visit

Does anyone have ideas or materials to share?

Please fill out the evaluationPlease fill out the evaluation