This quarterly publication for volunteers that work with AFS Orientations is sent to all volunteers with an orientation affiliation and a copy is posted on this page in MyAFS – Help & Learning.
With NH26 Post Arrival Orientation under our belts and students well into their adjustment, this edition will focus on planning for Mid-Stay Orientation, the Holiday Season, SH27 Arrival Orientations and reminders for preparing the SH27 outbound Study Abroad students.
Orientation Volunteer National Call: December 1st at 8PM ET — Register HERE!
Hosting
Mid-Stay Orientation
Mid-Stay Orientation is an important opportunity to check in with students as they navigate the halfway point of their program, when post-holiday blues or adjustment challenges may affect their host family relationships and school experience.
AFS recommends involving support volunteers and offering students the opportunity for one-on-one conversations to gain guidance and a fresh perspective.
Visit the Mid-Stay Orientation Help & Learning page for materials and guidance.
SH Arrival Orientation
Mid-January will see the arrival of the semester SH27 students to some teams. Stay in touch with your hosting volunteers as placements progress, to find out if your team will be hosting a semester student and ensure there is a plan in place to provide them with an Arrival Orientation (AO) within 7 days of their arrival. Click here for Arrival Orientation Materials and remember the AO worksheet is helpful for individual or small group arrivals – Volunteer Worksheet | Student Worksheet
Volunteer Guides and Supplements for Orientations
Explore the supplemental volunteer guides in this section of Help & Learning for ideas to enhance your orientations, including sibling involvement, online safety discussions, and additional icebreakers.
The Holiday Season
Support students and host families as they look forward to celebrating the holidays together. Students may feel more homesick than usual during the holiday season, as they miss their family and traditions back home. Encourage host families to engage them in their holiday traditions and planning and consider having a holiday party to celebrate as a team. Review this article and share it with your host families as the holidays approach.
Study Abroad
Pre-Departure Orientation
SH27 students are currently in the process of being partner-accepted and preparing for their programs by taking the Student Learning Journey. Keep an eye on your team’s Study Abroad section in MyAFS to see students in your area and start planning your local Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) based on their departure dates. To review materials and plan your orientation click here. To learn more about the Study Abroad calendar check out this graphic and read more on this Help & Learning page.
Involve Your Local Alumni
Check the ‘Recent Returnees’ section of MyAFS in the Study Abroad section to see who returned this year. Consider inviting them to your team holiday party, encourage alumni to register as volunteers and invite them to get involved in your Mid-Stay and End-of Stay orientations. They are often eager to connect, share their stories, and contribute as exchange experts!
General Reminders
Submit Your Cultural Event Pictures
AFS Intercultural Learning and Compliance teams need photos of current students participating in intercultural learning and cross-cultural activities at orientations and community events. These photos will be included in AFS’s annual report to the U.S. Department of State.
Please upload your photos using this form and include captions with as much detail as possible (who, what, when, and where). If you have trouble with the form or have additional photos, please email them to mfriend@afsusa.org.
Training Opportunities
Join fellow volunteers and staff in the Foundations of Intercultural Learning and Global Competence course. Learn at your own pace, connect with others, and explore key intercultural concepts. You can find more information HERE and the link to register. When registering, select “Yes” to confirm your organization’s authorization.
Additionally, if you have completed Foundations and are interested in improving your facilitation skills consider registering for PEAK Facilitator training, read more here.
Sharing Your Team Calendar
You can share your team calendar on your area team’s MyAFS homepage. Check out this article on how to create and upload a team calendar. Having it available for your team to see on their dashboard may increase opportunities for volunteer participation at orientations.
Thank you for all you do to provide meaningful orientation experiences for AFS students and host families!