My name is Michelle Griggs, Regional Director for a non-profit high school foreign exchange student organization called CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). In your position, I thought you’d be a good person to contact as I am sure you have great connections to families in your community. CIEE which is a non-profit organization specializing in international work and education. Our mission is “to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.” With over 65 years of experience in international education, CIEE is the largest and longest running sponsor of exchange programs in the U.S. We are currently looking for families in this area to host a high school exchange student from another country for one or two semesters during the upcoming school year. In return, host families can learn about another culture, enjoy lifelong friendships with students, fulfill the dream of a young person, be an ambassador for America, have a great experience, and much more. We are looking for host families and local coordinators for high school students we have coming to your area for the 2014/15 school year. We accept all kinds of families (kids, no kids, empty nesters, single parents, etc.) Our students have the appropriate visa, medical insurance and pay for all of their own personal expenses. All that is required of a host family is to provide a bed and an extra plate at the table. Host Families: • Accept a student into their home as a “son or daughter” for one or two semesters • Provide a bed and room (student can share a room with a host sibling of the same gender within 4 years age difference) • Share 3 meals a day (if students choose to purchase school lunches it is their responsibility) • Receive local and regional support 24/7. We have a 24 hour emergency hotline for any need • Claim a $50 per month deduction on their federal income taxes. Please help us make a difference in the world! We currently have students waiting to hear that they have a family for the Fall Semester in August 2014. Be sure to visit our website for more information and to access the Host Family application at ciee.org/highschool. We are seeking Local Coordinators to oversee our students. Local Coordinator: I would like to give you more information about this part-time position which provides a supplemental income and the opportunity to qualify for national and international travel incentives. I invite you to visit our website for a more detailed overview of CIEE, our programs, and mission. ciee.org and ciee.org/highschool If you wish to proceed with applying, the Local Coordinator application can be accessed through this LOCAL COORDINATOR OPPORTUNITY website -usahs.ciee.org/HighSchool/login.aspx. As I mentioned, I have been involved with foreign exchange students for years, and I’ve learned that the world can be made better through this experience. Until a family has had the experience, they cannot imagine how rewarding it is to bring the world into your own home and to see the bond being created between a host family and a teenager from another part of the world. I am passionate about this work we do and wish to pass this on. Local Coordinators play an important role in this experience and are vital to the success of the program. Our high school students come for a semester (arriving in Jan. or Aug.) or 10 months for the school year. The majority of our students arrive in August for the full school year and we need as much help as possible to get these kids secured into loving and caring homes. The role of the Local Coordinator is vital to the support of the student, family and school. This opportunity gives you flexibility, as you decide the level of commitment by the number of students you choose to mentor and which hours/days to devote. Many of our local coordinators (LC’s) have full time jobs, are stay at home moms and dads, or are retired. All coordinators must live within 100 miles of the students they place, and be eligible for work in the United States. This is a contract position. LC’s take this job because they are committed to cross-cultural awareness, education, and a love for the students. The qualities necessary to make a good LC include creativity, patience, persistence, understanding of people, and the ability to be objective. An understanding of cultural differences is helpful. As a Local Coordinator, you: • Recruit and select suitable host families in your area • Screen, interview and check references of host families • Match students with host families • Build and maintain relationships with local schools • Provide host family orientations to prepare families for the best experience • Provide guidance to students and host families throughout the experience Our Local Coordinators receive a vetting fee of $100 for each family they get to approved status. Once the family chooses a student LCs receive placement payment of $300.00. Once the students arrive LCs receive $125 per semester for each student they supervise for a minimum of $650 for a 10 month student. I can explain the payments, bonuses and many incentives that are offered throughout the year with you in more detail. We also invite the local coordinators who do place 2 students to our National meeting and those who place 5 students to the International meetings each year, with flights, lodging and most meals covered by CIEE. This is an opportunity to meet and develop relationships with over 400 Local Coordinators across the USA. Our international meeting will be in Barcelona Spain in November 2014 and next year the national meeting will be held in Portland Oregon in February 2015. Additionally, if an LC hosts a student, they retain the travel credit and will only need to place one more student in order to qualify for the national trip. Training will consists of 5 online modules lasting 30 minutes each, and a Department of State compliance test to receive certification, and ongoing optional sessions on outreach, marketing and support students with CIEE Staff. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at (866)-399-3433 or (207) 239-5398. I look forward to speaking with you and possibly joining our CIEE family. Take care, Michelle
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 04:10:47 +0000
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