Teams must provide a pre-arrival host family orientation. The AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey is designed to help host families develop greater intercultural effectiveness.
The key goal of the pre-arrival orientation is to prepare the host families for their upcoming intercultural experience. The pre-arrival orientation should review and build on all the previous conversations and materials shared in an interesting and memorable way. At this stage, it is key to discuss and manage host families expectations and empower them to use effective coping strategies. The pre-arrival orientation must provide all the necessary logistical and safety information to host families.
The pre-arrival orientation sessions should be framed more as helpful learning tips and discussions, rather than strict events, as is the case with students. Don't forget to address the double role of host families in the AFS intercultural exchanges - as learners and co-facilitators of learning for students.
The Host Family & Student Questionnaire is design as both a get-to-know-you activity as well as to communicate and establish family norms, rules and expectations. Host families and students are expected to review and complete the questionnaire together within the first two weeks of the students' arrival.
The School Questionnaire is to be completed by students, with the assistance of their host parent(s), when they are registering for school and/or meeting with school officials for the first time.
Please record your orientation event in Global Link following these instructions. Thank you!