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  6. <title type="text">Local Coordinators Archives -</title>
  7. <subtitle type="text">Stories from Academic Year in America</subtitle>
  8.  
  9. <updated>2024-01-03T20:21:39Z</updated>
  10.  
  11. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" />
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  15. <generator uri="https://wordpress.org/" version="6.4.3">WordPress</generator>
  16. <entry>
  17. <author>
  18. <name>AYA</name>
  19. </author>
  20.  
  21. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet An AYA Local Coordinator: Elizabeth in Georgia ]]></title>
  22. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/" />
  23.  
  24. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3071</id>
  25. <updated>2024-01-03T20:16:53Z</updated>
  26. <published>2024-01-31T13:00:00Z</published>
  27. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="georgia" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" />
  28. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Elizabeth in Georgia" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/?tp_image_id=3033" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  29. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/">Meet An AYA Local Coordinator: Elizabeth in Georgia </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  30. ]]></summary>
  31.  
  32. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Elizabeth in Georgia" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Elizabeth-in-Georgia-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/?tp_image_id=3033" />
  33. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  34. <iframe title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Elizabeth S. in Georgia" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lB6AeSM9tr8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  35. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Elizabeth in Georgia</em></figcaption></figure>
  36.  
  37.  
  38.  
  39. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. </p>
  40.  
  41.  
  42.  
  43. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Elizabeth, who runs a cluster in Georgia, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.&nbsp;</p>
  44.  
  45.  
  46.  
  47. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Elizabeth, AYA Local Coordinator in Georgia:&nbsp;</h2>
  48.  
  49.  
  50.  
  51. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  52.  
  53.  
  54.  
  55. <p><strong>Elizabeth:</strong> The best thing about being a Local Coordinator for me is the bond in my community. I&#8217;m able to build up my community by adding exchange students who benefit the community through community service and really bond with their host family. Seeing that connection both in the home and through the community is always amazing.&nbsp;</p>
  56.  
  57.  
  58.  
  59. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes working with AYA special?&nbsp;</h3>
  60.  
  61.  
  62.  
  63. <p><strong>Elizabeth:</strong> What makes working with AYA special is the office staff. I have never worked in a place where I felt so supported as a person, not just on a business front. Also, they&#8217;re very supportive when my father passed; they called and made sure I was okay. Having that level of commitment to self-growth as well as just feeling supported overall is not something you really get anywhere these days. So, I&#8217;m very appreciative for them.&nbsp;</p>
  64.  
  65.  
  66.  
  67. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do your students get involved in the community?&nbsp;</h3>
  68.  
  69.  
  70.  
  71. <p><strong>Elizabeth:</strong> My students get involved through community by volunteering. We&#8217;ve had them volunteer at football games, at the local animal shelter. When a couple of hurricanes came through, they supported with cleanup and food drives and all sorts of things. There&#8217;s not really something that our students aren&#8217;t willing to do. Everybody is willing to pitch in in whatever way possible to support and show their appreciation for the community.&nbsp;</p>
  72.  
  73.  
  74.  
  75. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes a great Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  76.  
  77.  
  78.  
  79. <p><strong>Elizabeth:</strong> I think what makes a great Local Coordinator is commitment and support and understanding. I think, in order to be a great Local Coordinator, you have to listen more than you talk. You have to listen to your students; you have to listen to your families because a lot of the times, they just want to feel heard. I think a lot of times, we get so busy just talking, talking, talking. The best way to be the best LC you can be is to listen. </p>
  80.  
  81.  
  82. <div class="wp-block-image">
  83. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/?tp_image_id=2924" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2-1024x576.jpg" alt="AYA Host Family of the Year 2021 | Academic Year in America (AYA)" class="wp-image-2924" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/academic-year-in-america-exchange-students-hf-of-year-solis-family-texas-2.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elizabeth and her family with one of their former exchange students</figcaption></figure></div>
  84.  
  85.  
  86. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the most rewarding part about being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  87.  
  88.  
  89.  
  90. <p><strong>Elizabeth: </strong>The thing I found most rewarding on my journey as a Local Coordinator is the way that I have built my family, which kind of sounds silly because it sounds like it more pertains to being a post family. But you get to know these kids, and they get to know you. I get updated on what they&#8217;re doing. Even on the Local Coordinator side, it&#8217;s so nice to really build that bond with these kids and see them grow into awesome young adults.&nbsp;</p>
  91.  
  92.  
  93.  
  94. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is a National Meeting like?&nbsp;</h3>
  95.  
  96.  
  97.  
  98. <p><strong>Elizabeth: </strong>If you haven&#8217;t had the chance to go to a national meeting and you&#8217;re wondering what it&#8217;s like, it&#8217;s kind of like a big awesome family get-together. Everybody&#8217;s hugging each other; everybody&#8217;s excited to see each other; everybody&#8217;s brainstorming about different ways to place exchange students, and you&#8217;re always learning new things. So every year, we get new trainings, which they&#8217;re giving you information at such a digestible rate; it just makes it easier than watching a video online and meeting like-minded people. You&#8217;ll have friends that you have all over the US, which is great.&nbsp;</p>
  99.  
  100.  
  101.  
  102. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange week?&nbsp;</h3>
  103.  
  104.  
  105.  
  106. <p><strong>Elizabeth:</strong> The biggest benefit to international education and exchange is the exchanging of ideas and exchanging of culture. The silly questions that my kids get in the beginning, like &#8220;Do you have phones from Germany?&#8221; or &#8220;Do you have cars in Germany?&#8221; or whatever, always cracks them up. But once they get past that surface level, seeing how they&#8217;re able to share really their culture and their home. We&#8217;re so lucky to have Google Maps, and they can pull up their city and show them what it actually looks like. Having kids where I live that may not ever get the opportunity to travel, being able to show them the world while they&#8217;re still living in theirs is pretty awesome.&nbsp;</p>
  107.  
  108.  
  109.  
  110. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  111.  
  112.  
  113.  
  114. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  115.  
  116.  
  117.  
  118. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Elizabeth across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community. </p>
  119.  
  120.  
  121.  
  122. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  123. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  124. </div>
  125. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/">Meet An AYA Local Coordinator: Elizabeth in Georgia </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  126. ]]></content>
  128. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  129. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-elizabeth-georgia/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  130. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  131. </entry>
  132. <entry>
  133. <author>
  134. <name>AYA</name>
  135. </author>
  136.  
  137. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Marilyn in Montana  ]]></title>
  138. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/" />
  139.  
  140. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3067</id>
  141. <updated>2024-01-03T20:06:12Z</updated>
  142. <published>2024-01-24T13:05:00Z</published>
  143. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="montana" />
  144. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Marilyn in Montana" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/?tp_image_id=3036" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  145. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Marilyn in Montana  </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  146. ]]></summary>
  147.  
  148. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Marilyn in Montana" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Marilyn-in-Montana-2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/?tp_image_id=3036" />
  149. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  150. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Marilyn A. in Montana" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cK1hWs55E3Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  151. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Marilyn in Montana</em></figcaption></figure>
  152.  
  153.  
  154.  
  155. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. </p>
  156.  
  157.  
  158.  
  159. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Marilyn, who runs a cluster in Montana, about her experience working with exchange students and host families. </p>
  160.  
  161.  
  162.  
  163. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Marilyn, AYA Local Coordinator for Montana: </h2>
  164.  
  165.  
  166.  
  167. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  168.  
  169.  
  170.  
  171. <p><strong>Marilyn:</strong> The best part of being a Local Coordinator is getting to know all of the students that I bring here and meeting new families, getting acquainted with them, and just bringing the world together. Coming together for the national meetings once a year to meet the staff people that I work with really enriches my life. I&#8217;m just really thankful and blessed to be a part of it. </p>
  172.  
  173.  
  174.  
  175. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes working with AYA special?&nbsp;</h3>
  176.  
  177.  
  178.  
  179. <p><strong>Marilyn:</strong> I love the idea of foreign relations—getting to know people from other countries and bringing them here to learn about our cultures. I love people in general, including the people that I work with at the Aya staff. It&#8217;s really helped me grow in my own personal life, broadening my horizons in a way that I never thought would ever be possible. I&#8217;m a better person today because of it. </p>
  180.  
  181.  
  182. <div class="wp-block-image">
  183. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="925" height="1024" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/?tp_image_id=3069" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884-925x1024.jpg" alt="AYA Local Coordinator Marilyn with exchange student in Montana" class="wp-image-3069" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884-925x1024.jpg 925w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884-271x300.jpg 271w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884-768x850.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884-600x664.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884-1388x1536.jpg 1388w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Montana-Arrivals-6-e1704312280884.jpg 1430w" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marilyn with AYA exchange student in Montana</figcaption></figure></div>
  184.  
  185.  
  186. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do your students get involved in the community?&nbsp;</h3>
  187.  
  188.  
  189.  
  190. <p><strong>Marilyn:</strong> Well, that&#8217;s through a group effort, through the effort of the post families. The families I have now are quite involved with the communities, and the schools are very receptive to the students. They want the experience for the students to be enriching, just as they want the American students to be enriched. There are all kinds of different programs that the schools have that involve the communities.&nbsp;</p>
  191.  
  192.  
  193.  
  194. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favorite part about attending a National Meeting?&nbsp;</h3>
  195.  
  196.  
  197.  
  198. <p><strong>Marilyn:</strong> What&#8217;s my favorite part of coming to the national meetings? Well, I love getting to see the people that I work with, the AYA staff people because I&#8217;ve communicated with them through email and phone calls. Just being able to have that face-to-face contact with them is really very special. I find the meetings themselves very valuable. It helps to better me as a coordinator. It&#8217;s really important for me to be the best that I can possibly be as a coordinator, even though I&#8217;ve been doing it a long time. I feel like I gain value from the topics that are discussed. It&#8217;s exciting for me to be able to share what I&#8217;m doing with my students, and it&#8217;s just a wonderful way to help us enrich our experience and help bring the world together.&nbsp;</p>
  199.  
  200.  
  201.  
  202. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange week?&nbsp;</h3>
  203.  
  204.  
  205.  
  206. <p><strong>Marilyn: </strong>The most rewarding part of my journey of working with the exchange program has been meeting the people, developing great relationships with the exchange students that I bring here, learning about their cultures. The relationships I have with students that I personally hosted a long time ago, I still keep in contact with today. I&#8217;ve had lots of families who have hosted students, and they&#8217;ve gone abroad to spend time learning about their cultures and spend time with their families. It&#8217;s just exciting to see that actual cultural exchange.&nbsp;</p>
  207.  
  208.  
  209.  
  210. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  211.  
  212.  
  213.  
  214. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  215.  
  216.  
  217.  
  218. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Marilyn across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families, and your own community.&nbsp;</p>
  219.  
  220.  
  221.  
  222. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  223. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  224. </div>
  225. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Marilyn in Montana  </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  226. ]]></content>
  228. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  229. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-marilyn-montana/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  230. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  231. </entry>
  232. <entry>
  233. <author>
  234. <name>AYA</name>
  235. </author>
  236.  
  237. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Melissa in Georgia ]]></title>
  238. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/" />
  239.  
  240. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3066</id>
  241. <updated>2024-01-03T15:57:36Z</updated>
  242. <published>2024-01-17T13:00:00Z</published>
  243. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="georgia" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" />
  244. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Melissa in Georgia" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/?tp_image_id=3037" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  245. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Melissa in Georgia </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  246. ]]></summary>
  247.  
  248. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Melissa in Georgia" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Melissa-in-Georgia-4.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/?tp_image_id=3037" />
  249. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  250. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Melissa J. in Washington State" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H7sGBONrTR0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  251. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Melissa in Georgia</em></figcaption></figure>
  252.  
  253.  
  254.  
  255. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.</p>
  256.  
  257.  
  258.  
  259. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Melissa, who runs a cluster in Georgia, about her experience working with exchange students and host families. </p>
  260.  
  261.  
  262.  
  263. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Melissa, AYA Local Coordinator for Georgia: </h2>
  264.  
  265.  
  266.  
  267. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  268.  
  269.  
  270.  
  271. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> The best part about being a Local Coordinator is kind of multi-layered. I love building a community among host families. It&#8217;s really fun to bring like-minded people together and have them host. I love my children experiencing different cultures right within their own home. And I love the relationships I build with exchange students. I&#8217;ve supervised over 75 students and keep in touch with a lot of them and so eight years later there&#8217;s just a lot of shared life experiences […]. When things happen like natural disasters or wars it&#8217;s very personal for me because I have built these relationships with people around the world. </p>
  272.  
  273.  
  274.  
  275. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What sparked your interest in becoming a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  276.  
  277.  
  278.  
  279. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> The thing that sparked my interest in becoming a Local Coordinator was the travel. When I first started, the idea of traveling and having this benefit of learning about other cultures and then experiencing it myself was something that was really interesting to me. I had never traveled outside of the US before becoming a Local Coordinator, and now I&#8217;ve been to Europe numerous times and Central America. So, having those experiences is super beneficial. </p>
  280.  
  281.  
  282.  
  283. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What methods have you used to find new host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  284.  
  285.  
  286.  
  287. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> The thing that has worked for me in finding new host families is word of mouth and hosting myself. We&#8217;ve hosted two exchange students as a family and having incredible students in our home that meet our neighbors, that are active in our community, that attend our local high school is the best way to find new host families. Additionally, running things like Facebook ads and joining groups to promote it is super, super helpful. But the best way to find host families is really through […] having community members interact in a natural way with exchange students that are already here.&nbsp;</p>
  288.  
  289.  
  290.  
  291. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes a great Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  292.  
  293.  
  294.  
  295. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> Some of the things that make a great Local Coordinator are flexibility, an ability to sit and listen to a student, [and] just the becoming a friend, a mentor […], the willingness to slow down, and just have conversations, and really see another person&#8217;s point of view so that people feel heard and seen. The same is true with host families. Host families want to know that you&#8217;re in it with them, that you can sit next to them across the table when they&#8217;re frustrated and hear what their concerns are. So flexibility and an ability to be a good listener are incredible qualities to have. </p>
  296.  
  297.  
  298.  
  299. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favorite part about attending a National Meeting?&nbsp;</h3>
  300.  
  301.  
  302.  
  303. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> My favorite part of a national meeting is the relationships I&#8217;ve built with other Local Coordinator. They have become some of my dearest and closest friends […] We communicate throughout the year and really support and encourage each other. To have us all be able […] travel the world together, seeing each other once a year at these different spots has created […] a lifelong bond of just being able to have these shared experiences. </p>
  304.  
  305.  
  306.  
  307. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is a National Meeting like?&nbsp;</h3>
  308.  
  309.  
  310.  
  311. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> If someone has not experienced AYA&#8217;s National Meeting before, I would explain it as a way to really motivate and inspire you to carry you through the rest of your year. Every time that I come to the National Meeting, I leave really motivated and excited about placing more students, about being a part of this larger community that&#8217;s impacting the world, about bringing the world together. All of those things are talked about and kind of given legs to or a structure to when you&#8217;re at the National Meeting, and it&#8217;s just really energizing to take that home and be able to carry out that mission. </p>
  312.  
  313.  
  314.  
  315. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange? </h3>
  316.  
  317.  
  318.  
  319. <p><strong>Melissa:</strong> I would say the biggest benefit to international education and exchange is the ability to see somebody else&#8217;s point of view. There are so many times that we live in this bubble of our own culture and community, and we forget that there&#8217;s this big world around us. So, to have different perspectives come into the same room and challenge, motivate, and change your belief system based on preconceived ideas about a culture group or a country—it&#8217;s an incredible lifelong work that has a ripple effect as we kind of change the trajectory of preconceived ideas.&nbsp;</p>
  320.  
  321.  
  322.  
  323. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  324.  
  325.  
  326.  
  327. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  328.  
  329.  
  330.  
  331. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Melissa across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.&nbsp;</p>
  332.  
  333.  
  334.  
  335. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  336. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  337. </div>
  338. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Melissa in Georgia </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  339. ]]></content>
  341. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  342. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-melissa-georgia/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  343. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  344. </entry>
  345. <entry>
  346. <author>
  347. <name>AYA</name>
  348. </author>
  349.  
  350. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Tressa in Oregon  ]]></title>
  351. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/" />
  352.  
  353. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3064</id>
  354. <updated>2024-01-03T15:51:54Z</updated>
  355. <published>2024-01-10T13:49:00Z</published>
  356. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="oregon" />
  357. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Tressa in Oregon" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/?tp_image_id=3042" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  358. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Tressa in Oregon  </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  359. ]]></summary>
  360.  
  361. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Tressa in Oregon" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Tressa-in-Oregon-10.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/?tp_image_id=3042" />
  362. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  363. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Tressa M. in Oregon" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mI_0YDk-fTQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  364. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Tressa in Oregon</em></figcaption></figure>
  365.  
  366.  
  367.  
  368. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. </p>
  369.  
  370.  
  371.  
  372. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Tressa, who runs a cluster in Oregon, about her experience working with exchange students and host families. </p>
  373.  
  374.  
  375.  
  376. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Tressa, AYA Local Coordinator for Oregon:</h2>
  377.  
  378.  
  379.  
  380. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What does it mean to host an international exchange student?&nbsp;</h3>
  381.  
  382.  
  383.  
  384. <p><strong>Tressa: </strong>Hosting for me means that I get to learn not only about my culture but another culture. I&#8217;ve found so many similarities between the different cultures, the different countries, the different languages, religions. We&#8217;re all really the same people with some different twists in life and some different perspectives in life, and it&#8217;s really brought the world a lot closer for me. </p>
  385.  
  386.  
  387.  
  388. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/?tp_image_id=1940" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1-1024x576.jpg" alt="2017 Host Family of the Year - Oregon | Academic Year in America" class="wp-image-1940" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Oregon1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tressa with Exchange Student in Oregon</figcaption></figure>
  389.  
  390.  
  391.  
  392. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How has hosting an international exchange student benefited you?&nbsp;</h3>
  393.  
  394.  
  395.  
  396. <p><strong>Tressa: </strong>Some of the benefits of hosting are just broadening our horizons. The world is a very big place, but yet it&#8217;s also a very small place. I&#8217;ve learned so much from the students, many different aspects of cooking, of looking at things, looking at things not just outside of our own country but looking at things deeper inside our own country. It&#8217;s really broadened my horizons, and I think it&#8217;s been able to broaden the horizons and the aspects of so many of the students that I&#8217;ve hosted. I hope that by doing this, the world becomes a much kinder place.&nbsp;</p>
  397.  
  398.  
  399.  
  400. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Anything you would like to say to future host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  401.  
  402.  
  403.  
  404. <p><strong>Tressa:</strong> For those of you considering hosting in the future, maybe you&#8217;re unsure, reach out, talk to some of the local coordinators, talk to some of the families. Meet or greet some of our exchange students that are here on the program now or that have been in the program before. Understand their perspective a little bit. You&#8217;re going to gain so much knowledge and so much appreciation, and you&#8217;re going to gain a loving family member.&nbsp;</p>
  405.  
  406.  
  407.  
  408. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  409.  
  410.  
  411.  
  412. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  413.  
  414.  
  415.  
  416. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Tressa across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.&nbsp;</p>
  417.  
  418.  
  419.  
  420. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  421. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  422. </div>
  423. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Tressa in Oregon  </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  424. ]]></content>
  426. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  427. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-tressa-oregon/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  428. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  429. </entry>
  430. <entry>
  431. <author>
  432. <name>AYA</name>
  433. </author>
  434.  
  435. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Terri in New York  ]]></title>
  436. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/" />
  437.  
  438. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3072</id>
  439. <updated>2024-01-03T20:21:39Z</updated>
  440. <published>2024-01-06T20:21:23Z</published>
  441. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="new york" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="pennsylvania" />
  442. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Terri in New York" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/?tp_image_id=3041" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  443. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Terri in New York  </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  444. ]]></summary>
  445.  
  446. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Terri in New York" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Terri-in-New-York-11.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/?tp_image_id=3041" />
  447. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  448. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Terri R. in New York State" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/STOWIl1OBU4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  449. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Terri in New York State</em></figcaption></figure>
  450.  
  451.  
  452.  
  453. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. </p>
  454.  
  455.  
  456.  
  457. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Terri, who runs a cluster in Western New York and parts of Eastern Pennsylvania, about her experience working with exchange students and host families. </p>
  458.  
  459.  
  460.  
  461. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Terri, AYA Local Coordinator for New York: </h2>
  462.  
  463.  
  464.  
  465. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What does it mean to host an international exchange student?&nbsp;</h3>
  466.  
  467.  
  468.  
  469. <p><strong>Terri:</strong> One of the greatest things is that it brings a different culture into your home. It opens your eyes to new things, so even though I&#8217;ve been doing this year after year, I still feel like every year is something new and something refreshing. They also bring a certain perspective, so seeing the world through their eyes is such a gift.&nbsp;</p>
  470.  
  471.  
  472.  
  473. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How has hosting an international exchange student benefited you?&nbsp;</h3>
  474.  
  475.  
  476.  
  477. <p><strong>Terri:</strong> I cannot even begin describing unless I&#8217;d say how it has also benefited my family. I have five children, and because we have hosted, four of my five children have actually studied or lived abroad. The exposure to having an exchange student in your home gives them the gift of lifting their eyes that there is so much more out in the world. In fact, even my daughter and I just had the conversation; she&#8217;s 31, and we sat down together the other day, and she said, &#8220;What would our life be if we had never hosted? Who would we be?&#8221; Because the 22 students that we&#8217;ve had in our homes have changed us all so much for the better.&nbsp;</p>
  478.  
  479.  
  480.  
  481. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Anything you would like to say to future host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  482.  
  483.  
  484.  
  485. <p><strong>Terri:</strong> If you want to grow, host. I have learned so much, even about myself. I have learned about my relationships with my children. I have learned about my relationships with other people just by seeing it through a new set of eyes. I would just say that if you want to enjoy the adventure because it truly is an adventure, then you should host.&nbsp;</p>
  486.  
  487.  
  488.  
  489. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  490.  
  491.  
  492.  
  493. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  494.  
  495.  
  496.  
  497. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Terri across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community. </p>
  498.  
  499.  
  500.  
  501. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  502. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  503. </div>
  504. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Terri in New York  </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  505. ]]></content>
  507. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  508. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-terri-new-york/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  509. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  510. </entry>
  511. <entry>
  512. <author>
  513. <name>AYA</name>
  514. </author>
  515.  
  516. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Ryan in Ohio]]></title>
  517. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/" />
  518.  
  519. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3063</id>
  520. <updated>2024-01-03T15:44:16Z</updated>
  521. <published>2024-01-03T15:44:14Z</published>
  522. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="ohio" />
  523. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Ryan in Ohio" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/?tp_image_id=3039" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  524. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Ryan in Ohio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  525. ]]></summary>
  526.  
  527. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Ryan in Ohio" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Ryan-in-Ohio-3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/?tp_image_id=3039" />
  528. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  529. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Ryan D. in Ohio" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HZYiZYfisCE?start=7&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  530. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Ryan in Idaho</em></figcaption></figure>
  531.  
  532.  
  533.  
  534. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator,</a> you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.</p>
  535.  
  536.  
  537.  
  538. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our AYA exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Ryan, who runs a cluster in Ohio, about his experience working with exchange students and host families. </p>
  539.  
  540.  
  541.  
  542. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Ryan Dunfee, AYA Local Coordinator for Ohio: </h2>
  543.  
  544.  
  545.  
  546. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  547.  
  548.  
  549.  
  550. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> I believe the best part about being an LC is the students and the sharing of the cultures and learning a lot about the students and them becoming your family some of them. Because I&#8217;ve hosted [them] we stay we stay in contact. I&#8217;ve got to visit a lot of students in their countries over the years and [they] come back to visit me and they&#8217;re host families […]. The other part is things like this National Meeting we get to meet a lot of like-minded people other coordinators and we all get together. It&#8217;s nice to share a lot with each other and get to know each other. It&#8217;s like a big family. </p>
  551.  
  552.  
  553.  
  554. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What sparked your interest in becoming a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  555.  
  556.  
  557.  
  558. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> So what sparked my interest in [becoming a] LC was when I was in school, we had an exchange student and I got to know him and became friends with him. We stayed in touch for quite a while and yeah that&#8217;s really what I started it […]. And when I had the chance to be an LC I applied and yeah, I didn&#8217;t realize I&#8217;d be doing it this many years, but it&#8217;s just, uh yeah, it&#8217;s worked out really well!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  559.  
  560.  
  561.  
  562. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do your students get involved in the community?&nbsp;</h3>
  563.  
  564.  
  565.  
  566. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> We have a lot of get-togethers. First, we have like a welcome party, and we have […] kind of a Halloween/fall celebration where they carved pumpkins and did some games and had a fire, a mini roast and they went in a haunted house […]We have a Christmas party, so everybody comes together for that. But, yeah, they also are playing football, they&#8217;re playing soccer, volunteering for things so, I mean, they&#8217;re totally involved in the community and get to know a lot of people that way.&nbsp;</p>
  567.  
  568.  
  569.  
  570. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What methods have you used to find new host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  571.  
  572.  
  573.  
  574. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> Nowadays, […] with Facebook and Facebook groups you can put a lot out there to get people interested. You have got to follow up with anybody that shows interest. Yeah, that&#8217;s been one of the best ways for me nowadays, and word of mouth.&nbsp;</p>
  575.  
  576.  
  577.  
  578. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RyanLCEvent-modified.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/?tp_image_id=1689" data-pin-nopin="1" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RyanLCEvent-modified-1024x683.jpg" alt="What Makes a Great AYA Local Coordinator? | Academic Year in America (AYA)" class="wp-image-1689" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RyanLCEvent-modified-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RyanLCEvent-modified-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RyanLCEvent-modified-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RyanLCEvent-modified-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
  579.  
  580.  
  581.  
  582. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes a great Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  583.  
  584.  
  585.  
  586. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> I think it&#8217;s got to be somebody who loves what they&#8217;re doing. They gotta have a passion for it, they [have to] like kids and they like being involved in the community and they got to stay involved I mean they gotta you know like so we have parties we have different things and it seems to really a really good way to get to know the kids they know that you know when they get to see you that often and they get to know you you have that trust and I think it worked really well with working with the students&nbsp;</p>
  587.  
  588.  
  589.  
  590. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the most rewarding part about being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  591.  
  592.  
  593.  
  594. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> Again, I&#8217;ve made a lot of great relationships over the years with students. We stay in touch I&#8217;m some of the kids from 20 two years ago, you know, we still stay in touch. So, when I go to Europe we all get together, […] not just with the students, but with the host families. You maintain relationships with a lot of the host families and […] with local coordinators.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  595.  
  596.  
  597.  
  598. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Any tips for new Local Coordinators?&nbsp;</h3>
  599.  
  600.  
  601.  
  602. <p><strong>Ryan:</strong> I would say one of the things that really has worked well for me is trying to find the right matches making a good match goes a long way in and the success of the students stay here and that when the families experience so yeah really trying to make a good match between them.&nbsp;</p>
  603.  
  604.  
  605.  
  606. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  607.  
  608.  
  609.  
  610. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  611.  
  612.  
  613.  
  614. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Ryan across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.</p>
  615.  
  616.  
  617.  
  618. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  619. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  620. </div>
  621. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Ryan in Ohio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  622. ]]></content>
  624. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  625. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-ryan-ohio/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  626. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  627. </entry>
  628. <entry>
  629. <author>
  630. <name>AYA</name>
  631. </author>
  632.  
  633. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Sheri in Idaho]]></title>
  634. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/" />
  635.  
  636. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3050</id>
  637. <updated>2024-01-03T20:13:23Z</updated>
  638. <published>2023-12-19T13:00:00Z</published>
  639. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="idaho" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" />
  640. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Sheri in Idaho" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/?tp_image_id=3040" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.&#160; In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  641. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Sheri in Idaho</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  642. ]]></summary>
  643.  
  644. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Sheri in Idaho" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Sheri-in-Idaho-5.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/?tp_image_id=3040" />
  645. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  646. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Sheri S. in Idaho" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PpS9Abxhvbs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  647. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Sheri in Idaho</em></figcaption></figure>
  648.  
  649.  
  650.  
  651. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.&nbsp;</p>
  652.  
  653.  
  654.  
  655. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Sheri, who runs a cluster in Idaho, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.&nbsp;</p>
  656.  
  657.  
  658.  
  659. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Sheri Schuster, AYA Local Coordinator for Idaho:&nbsp;</h2>
  660.  
  661.  
  662.  
  663. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  664.  
  665.  
  666.  
  667. <p><strong>Sheri:</strong> The best part about being a Local Coordinator is the family, the kids, the networking, the AYA family and the student’s families. It&#8217;s just a big, huge family and that to me is the best part of being a local coordinator.&nbsp;</p>
  668.  
  669.  
  670.  
  671. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes working with AYA special?&nbsp;</h3>
  672.  
  673.  
  674.  
  675. <p><strong>Sheri: </strong>Working with AYA through the years I&#8217;ve got to know some of the staff very personally we&#8217;ve traveled the world together. We&#8217;ve spent weekends together traveling, exploring different parts of the United States as well as parts of the world. I have been to 22 National Meetings and 22 extension trips after the National Meetings and my husband&#8217;s had the pleasure of traveling with me to all of them and it&#8217;s amazing!&nbsp;</p>
  676.  
  677.  
  678.  
  679. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes a great Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  680.  
  681.  
  682.  
  683. <p><strong>Sheri:</strong> What makes being a great local coordinator is compassion, understanding, love and […] being there for the community, the school, [and] the families. You have to let them know that you are there 24/7 […]. When you&#8217;re there for them and you let them see that, you have way less problems that way.&nbsp;</p>
  684.  
  685.  
  686.  
  687. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is a National Meeting like?&nbsp;</h3>
  688.  
  689.  
  690.  
  691. <p><strong>Sheri: </strong>[How] I would describe going to National meetings to somebody that hasn&#8217;t got to go this: […] we work so hard for National Meetings. [It’s] our time together to reflect on our years and we have become such great friends. […] we just look […] forward to these meetings and spending time together and just having a great time and it&#8217;s such an amazing experience!&nbsp;</p>
  692.  
  693.  
  694.  
  695. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange?&nbsp;</h3>
  696.  
  697.  
  698.  
  699. <p><strong>Sheri:</strong> I think the biggest benefit [of] international exchange is showing America that the world is just amazing. Before I became a coordinator, you know, I [had my perspective] of different parts of the [world], and you know whether it was the Middle East or Europe or wherever, I have learned from these kids. These kids have taught us about their world, and we are all just one big world just trying to survive in it. And these kids have taught us compassion and love and acceptance, and I think that hands down is the number one thing for this exchange student program. They&#8217;re teaching us not us teaching them.&nbsp;</p>
  700.  
  701.  
  702.  
  703. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  704.  
  705.  
  706.  
  707. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  708.  
  709.  
  710.  
  711. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Sheri across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.&nbsp;</p>
  712.  
  713.  
  714.  
  715. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  716. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  717. </div>
  718. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Sheri in Idaho</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  719. ]]></content>
  721. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  722. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-sheri-idaho/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  723. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  724. </entry>
  725. <entry>
  726. <author>
  727. <name>AYA</name>
  728. </author>
  729.  
  730. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Kelly in Kansas]]></title>
  731. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/" />
  732.  
  733. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3047</id>
  734. <updated>2023-12-08T14:03:39Z</updated>
  735. <published>2023-12-16T13:00:00Z</published>
  736. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="interview" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="kansas" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" />
  737. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Kelly in Kansas" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/?tp_image_id=3035" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  738. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Kelly in Kansas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  739. ]]></summary>
  740.  
  741. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Kelly in Kansas" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Kelly-in-Kansas-6.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/?tp_image_id=3035" />
  742. <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  743. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Kelly B. in Kansas" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9puSBYUJxkk?list=PL6PcvNYH76AonRVXc14pzC4R55Ds_S4hY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  744. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Kelly in Kansas</em></figcaption></figure>
  745.  
  746.  
  747.  
  748. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. </p>
  749.  
  750.  
  751.  
  752. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Kelly, who runs a cluster in Kansas, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.&nbsp;</p>
  753.  
  754.  
  755.  
  756. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Kelly Brown, AYA Local Coordinator for Kansas: </h2>
  757.  
  758.  
  759.  
  760. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  761.  
  762.  
  763.  
  764. <p><strong>Kelly: </strong>The best part about being a local coordinator is to see the experiences that these kids have […] maybe for the first time. I like to see the bonding between the students and the families that creates a lasting bond forever. </p>
  765.  
  766.  
  767.  
  768. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What sparked your interest in becoming a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  769.  
  770.  
  771.  
  772. <p><strong>Kelly: </strong>We were approached 10 years ago to host a student that needed to be re-homed and it&#8217;s something we&#8217;d always thought about doing, but we never really stepped outside the box to go forward with it. But when we were approached and realized there was somebody in need, we talked it over with our family and decided it was the right time to step forward. We took the girl into our home, and she became a part of her family, and we continue to stay in contact with her.&nbsp;</p>
  773.  
  774.  
  775. <div class="wp-block-image">
  776. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="649" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/?tp_image_id=2745" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349-1024x649.jpg" alt="AYA local coordinator and host mom kelly with husband and exchange students in kansas" class="wp-image-2745" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349-1024x649.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349-300x190.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349-768x487.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349-600x380.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kansas-kelly-brown-family-california-berta-macedonia-betsy-germany-e1559674491349.jpg 1089w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">AYA Local Coordinator Kelly with exchange students in Kansas</figcaption></figure></div>
  777.  
  778.  
  779. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favorite part about attending a National Meeting? </h3>
  780.  
  781.  
  782.  
  783. <p><strong>Kelly: </strong>My<strong> </strong>favorite part about attending National Meeting is to be able to reconnect with all the friends that we have made as coordinators, you know. We get to talk to each other a lot over the phone, but to actually be able to come together every year and see each other is a great experience. It&#8217;s something you really need to work hard towards to get here. Coming to the National Meeting is one of the highlights of the year, you know. They put on great workshops for us to help us throughout the year, but again, to be able to come together and meet the staff one-on-one and get to know them a little bit versus just talking to them over the phone all the time and reconnect with coordinators that you haven&#8217;t seen for the last year is just a great experience. </p>
  784.  
  785.  
  786.  
  787. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What methods have you used to find new host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  788.  
  789.  
  790.  
  791. <p><strong>Kelly:</strong> I think one of the best things I can say, is to host yourself. It shows the community out there that you&#8217;re invested in the thing that you&#8217;re trying to promote. I think also if you get in contact with the schools and have that relationship […] they&#8217;re more after more apt to say, “Yes!” when you ask them to sign the contract to allow students to come in. You know, the best thing is to get your name out there. […] You know, try to go to local high school events — put your name out there. I tend to wear logo [on my] shirt so people realize that I am a coordinator, so if they see me […] it&#8217;s like, “Oh, I really like that kid. She must be the one in charge,” or just put your name out there [by going] to events that you can set up a booth to give information out. That&#8217;s another good one to try to get your name out there.&nbsp;</p>
  792.  
  793.  
  794.  
  795. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange?&nbsp;</h3>
  796.  
  797.  
  798.  
  799. <p>The biggest benefit, I think, for the International Exchange program, of course, is, you know, a great experience for the students coming over here, but also, it&#8217;s a great experience for the families that are taking them in. [It] creates bonds all over the world and this world nowadays is really all about contact. And I think if you can get contacts all over the world and create those friendship bonds, you know, it&#8217;s a step forward in the right direction to make everybody realize that we&#8217;re a one big world. Then we have to work together in order to make this world a better place […].&nbsp;</p>
  800.  
  801.  
  802.  
  803. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  804.  
  805.  
  806.  
  807. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  808.  
  809.  
  810.  
  811. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Kelly across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.&nbsp;</p>
  812.  
  813.  
  814.  
  815. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  816. <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp"> Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  817. </div>
  818. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Kelly in Kansas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  819. ]]></content>
  821. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  822. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-kelly-kansas/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  823. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  824. </entry>
  825. <entry>
  826. <author>
  827. <name>AYA</name>
  828. </author>
  829.  
  830. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Regenia in Ohio]]></title>
  831. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/" />
  832.  
  833. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3045</id>
  834. <updated>2023-12-08T13:54:07Z</updated>
  835. <published>2023-12-14T13:00:00Z</published>
  836. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="interview" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="ohio" />
  837. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Regenia in Ohio" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/?tp_image_id=3038" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.  In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  838. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Regenia in Ohio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  839. ]]></summary>
  840.  
  841. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Regenia in Ohio" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Regenia-in-Ohio-9.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/?tp_image_id=3038" />
  842. <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  843. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Regenia S. in Ohio" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2EIAAM2ODik?list=PL6PcvNYH76AonRVXc14pzC4R55Ds_S4hY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  844. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Interview with AYA Local Coordinator Regenia in Ohio</em></figcaption></figure>
  845.  
  846.  
  847.  
  848. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools. </p>
  849.  
  850.  
  851.  
  852. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Regenia, who runs a cluster in Ohio, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.&nbsp;</p>
  853.  
  854.  
  855.  
  856. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Regenia Spoerndle, AYA Local Coordinator for Ohio: </h2>
  857.  
  858.  
  859.  
  860. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What sparked your interest in becoming a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  861.  
  862.  
  863.  
  864. <p><strong>Regenia:</strong> I became interested in being a local coordinator after getting my master&#8217;s degree and I was looking at job opportunities. I saw an advertisement for working with international students. I have a master&#8217;s in communication and had specifically worked with the intercultural communication Professor so I was like this is up my alley. </p>
  865.  
  866.  
  867.  
  868. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  869.  
  870.  
  871.  
  872. <p><strong>Regina: </strong>One of the best parts is getting to meet these bright young students from all over the world. Sometimes the news can be a little grim and sad and then you meet the young people, and you realize the future&#8217;s in good hands! </p>
  873.  
  874.  
  875. <div class="wp-block-image">
  876. <figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/muslim-inspired-voice-america-aya.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="472" height="384" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/?tp_image_id=1616" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/muslim-inspired-voice-america-aya.jpeg" alt="aya local coordinator with exchange student in ohio" class="wp-image-1616" style="aspect-ratio:1.2291666666666667;width:818px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/muslim-inspired-voice-america-aya.jpeg 472w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/muslim-inspired-voice-america-aya-300x244.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Regenia with Exchange Student in Ohio</figcaption></figure></div>
  877.  
  878.  
  879. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes working with AYA special?&nbsp;</h3>
  880.  
  881.  
  882.  
  883. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>:</strong> I feel AYA has supported me in so many ways including allowing me the opportunity to travel if we place a certain number of students. As a coordinator, we&#8217;re invited to an all-expenses paid to the national meeting every year. It&#8217;s always located somewhere different in the world and it&#8217;s a great time to meet, in person, with people that you work with virtually all year and then explore culture firsthand. </p>
  884.  
  885.  
  886.  
  887. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do your students get involved in the community?&nbsp;</h3>
  888.  
  889.  
  890.  
  891. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>: </strong>My students get involved in the community by completing a lot of community service, as well as at their high schools. They join clubs and they participate in athletics, theater. In fact, in another couple weeks, I&#8217;m gathering the group of students that live near me and we&#8217;re all going to support a fellow student who&#8217;s starring in a theatrical production at our high school. </p>
  892.  
  893.  
  894.  
  895. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What methods have you used to find new host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  896.  
  897.  
  898.  
  899. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>:</strong> To find these host families can be challenging sometimes, but we use a combination of social media and getting the word out at area high schools. I&#8217;ve had students come with me to, like, foreign language classes, social science classes, like, history places, where it makes sense to talk about culture and hosting and bringing culture to your home. Also, the best way to get host families is through networking. Fellow host families that are already engaged in the process tell their friends or their friends and family meet the student and they want to get involved too. </p>
  900.  
  901.  
  902.  
  903. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes a great Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  904.  
  905.  
  906.  
  907. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>: </strong>I think a great local coordinator comes from a combination of qualities that would include, definitely, patience, having an open mind, being open to new experiences, and especially, having strong communication skills. You need to be very much a listener and aware of cultural differences in communication. AYA provides a lot of training and support for […] helping us all learn how to be the best we can be. </p>
  908.  
  909.  
  910.  
  911. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange?&nbsp;</h3>
  912.  
  913.  
  914.  
  915. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>:</strong> What I think is one of the biggest benefits in regards to international education and cultural exchange, specifically, is that it brings regular people together from disparate parts of the world to have real conversations about sometimes hard things or things that might be very different in perspective, but you care about the issue in a different way, once you hear from someone that you care and know about personally. I&#8217;ve had the experience of hosting a Muslim student and I&#8217;m Christian and we&#8217;ve had so many great conversations about our faith traditions, the similarities, and we both decided that if we all could have these conversations in this way that we would conquer the world with love and peace and not have any more division. </p>
  916.  
  917.  
  918.  
  919. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favorite part about attending a National Meeting?&nbsp;</h3>
  920.  
  921.  
  922.  
  923. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>: </strong>My favorite part about National Meeting is obviously the travel — getting to a place that maybe has been on my bucket list to visit, but I haven&#8217;t had the opportunity to. It&#8217;s also a great opportunity to network with your colleagues who you maybe know through social media or through numerous emails, [or] phone calls, but you get to actually spend time with them. We have educational opportunities as well from really amazing professionals that come and teach us, whether it be about mental health training or just communication skill building and then of course all the sightseeing and building a great number of memories. </p>
  924.  
  925.  
  926.  
  927. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Any tips for new Local Coordinators?&nbsp;</h3>
  928.  
  929.  
  930.  
  931. <p><strong><strong>Regenia</strong>: </strong>Well, I would say to new local coordinators and host families both is: have patience, enjoy every minute, because before you know, it the year has ended. And we&#8217;re not saying goodbye, because that&#8217;s too hard, but we always say see you later. </p>
  932.  
  933.  
  934.  
  935. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  936.  
  937.  
  938.  
  939. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  940.  
  941.  
  942.  
  943. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Regina across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.</p>
  944.  
  945.  
  946.  
  947. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  948. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  949. </div>
  950. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Regenia in Ohio</a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  951. ]]></content>
  953. <link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/#comments" thr:count="0" />
  954. <link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-regenia-ohio/feed/atom/" thr:count="0" />
  955. <thr:total>0</thr:total>
  956. </entry>
  957. <entry>
  958. <author>
  959. <name>AYA</name>
  960. </author>
  961.  
  962. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Debbie in Colorado ]]></title>
  963. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/" />
  964.  
  965. <id>https://blog.academicyear.org/?p=3043</id>
  966. <updated>2023-12-08T13:56:58Z</updated>
  967. <published>2023-12-12T13:00:00Z</published>
  968. <category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="Local Coordinators" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="colorado" /><category scheme="https://blog.academicyear.org/category/local-coordinators/" term="local coordinator" />
  969. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Debbie in Colorado" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/?tp_image_id=3032" /><p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.&#160; In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of [&#8230;]</p>
  970. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Debbie in Colorado </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  971. ]]></summary>
  972.  
  973. <content type="html" xml:base="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/"><![CDATA[<img width="300" height="169" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-300x169.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="AYA Local Coordinator - Debbie in Colorado" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-300x169.jpg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-768x432.jpg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8-600x338.jpg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AYA-Local-Coordinator-Debbie-in-Colorado-8.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/?tp_image_id=3032" />
  974. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  975. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Meet an AYA Local Coordinator | Debbie O. in Colorado" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BwFDidyP7Us?list=PL6PcvNYH76AonRVXc14pzC4R55Ds_S4hY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  976. </div></figure>
  977.  
  978.  
  979.  
  980. <p>Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/what-is-a-local-coordinator/">AYA Local Coordinator</a>, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.&nbsp;</p>
  981.  
  982.  
  983.  
  984. <p>In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Debbie, who runs a cluster in Colorado, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.&nbsp;</p>
  985.  
  986.  
  987.  
  988. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Meet Debbie Odom, AYA Local Coordinator for Colorado: </h2>
  989.  
  990.  
  991.  
  992. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  993.  
  994.  
  995.  
  996. <p><strong>Debbie: </strong>The best part about being a local coordinator is the people that I get to meet. It&#8217;s not easy to convince people to take a teenager into their home for five or ten months and so, the people that I do meet that are willing and wanting to do an experience like this are usually very genuine, giving people and so it&#8217;s really cool to be able to work with host families that are interested in joining this crazy ride of hosting exchange students!&nbsp;</p>
  997.  
  998.  
  999.  
  1000. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do your students get involved in the community?&nbsp;</h3>
  1001.  
  1002.  
  1003.  
  1004. <p><strong>Debbie: </strong>I&#8217;m always kind of on them about giving back volunteering for concessions in their high schools or to food pantries or to homeless shelters. Sometimes we&#8217;ll do a Habitat for Humanity project together. […]&nbsp;</p>
  1005.  
  1006.  
  1007. <div class="wp-block-image">
  1008. <figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="751" data-pin-url="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/?tp_image_id=3044" src="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA-1024x751.jpeg" alt="AYA local coordinator debbie with exchange students in colorado" class="wp-image-3044" style="aspect-ratio:1.363515312916112;width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA-1024x751.jpeg 1024w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA-300x220.jpeg 300w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA-768x563.jpeg 768w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA-600x440.jpeg 600w, https://blog.academicyear.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Debbie-Odom-Cluster-Colorado-AYA.jpeg 1282w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Local Coordinator Debbie with AYA exchange students in Colorado</figcaption></figure></div>
  1009.  
  1010.  
  1011. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What methods have you used to find new host families?&nbsp;</h3>
  1012.  
  1013.  
  1014.  
  1015. <p><strong>Debbie:</strong> I&#8217;ve never had, like, just one thing that&#8217;s, like, where I get most of my host families. It&#8217;s really […] that if I call 100 leads I&#8217;m gonna get a certain amount, you know. From that, if I post on social media, a lot of it could be emailing people in the community that I know, or coaches, or different people that work at the schools, but it&#8217;s never been one thing that really brings in a lot of students for me. It&#8217;s just the consistency and the not giving up with trying. It&#8217;s just phone call and email and conversation after conversation and not giving up until it starts to bear some fruit.&nbsp;</p>
  1016.  
  1017.  
  1018.  
  1019. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What makes a great Local Coordinator?&nbsp;</h3>
  1020.  
  1021.  
  1022.  
  1023. <p><strong>Debbie: </strong>I think a great local coordinator is somebody who&#8217;s able to listen to both students and host family and when there is any tension, as there is with anybody trying to live, you know, with each other, from different families, that they are able to help kind of facilitate, to come to conclusions whenever there&#8217;s little issues or personality conflicts that come up. And I think somebody&#8230; where the student feels supported all of the time and that they know that that local coordinator is there for them, as well as the host families feel supported throughout the process as well.&nbsp;</p>
  1024.  
  1025.  
  1026.  
  1027. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange?&nbsp;</h3>
  1028.  
  1029.  
  1030.  
  1031. <p><strong>Debbie: </strong>I think the biggest benefit to International Education in exchange is especially the International Education week, where the students are expected to do presentations on their home country. Because that happens in November, it&#8217;s a couple of months into the school year, to me, it gives these students the opportunity to tell the students in their school about where they&#8217;re from and it helps those students to feel a little bit connected to them. They&#8217;re used to having exchange students usually in the school, but they don&#8217;t know much about [their countries] and so after [the exchange students] give the presentations, I&#8217;ve had a lot of students in the past say, “Wow more people came up to me and talked to me because they felt like they knew me better!” So it&#8217;s kind of a nice way for them to teach other people about themselves and where they&#8217;re from and opens up the door to more friendships for them.&nbsp;</p>
  1032.  
  1033.  
  1034.  
  1035. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s your favorite part about attending a National Meeting?&nbsp;</h3>
  1036.  
  1037.  
  1038.  
  1039. <p><strong>Debbie: </strong>This is a very solo job. You&#8217;re a local coordinator. You&#8217;re an independent contractor, kind of by yourself a lot of the times. You&#8217;re working by yourself, you don&#8217;t have an office that you go to and so the best part about it is being in a room with a number of other people that have the same desire and passion as you. and it kind of like [ignites] that fire again. Being like, “okay, this is why I&#8217;m doing this,” and seeing people who have done it for way longer than I have, or just getting into it. […]this really does make a difference and it changes the lives of so many people. So it&#8217;s really just everybody getting, you know, getting together.&nbsp;</p>
  1040.  
  1041.  
  1042.  
  1043. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is a National Meeting like?&nbsp;</h3>
  1044.  
  1045.  
  1046.  
  1047. <p><strong>Debbie: </strong>National meetings, if you&#8217;ve never been able to go, are a really great way to get together with people that do a lot of what you do, but also to learn, like, sessions that we have for the one day that we&#8217;re here. It&#8217;s really just about learning how to be a better local coordinator and then also having a lot of free time on your hands to go out with other local coordinators, or, if you have a companion that was able to come with you, to go out and explore another city. So, it&#8217;s one of those things and as you get to know more and more students — we&#8217;ve done a lot of trips where then we&#8217;ve extended our time and gone and met up with some of the past students as well. So, it kind of pushes you. As I always say, “I&#8217;m going to take this trip. I&#8217;m going to play on this trip” […].&nbsp;</p>
  1048.  
  1049.  
  1050.  
  1051. <p><em>Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  1052.  
  1053.  
  1054.  
  1055. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator? &nbsp;</h2>
  1056.  
  1057.  
  1058.  
  1059. <p>AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Debbie across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.</p>
  1060.  
  1061.  
  1062.  
  1063. <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
  1064. <div class="wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.academicyear.org/local_coordinator/become_an_lc.asp">Apply to Become a Local Coordinator Today!</a></div>
  1065. </div>
  1066. <p>The post <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org/aya-local-coordinator-debbie-colorado/">Meet an AYA Local Coordinator: Debbie in Colorado </a> appeared first on <a href="https://blog.academicyear.org"></a>.</p>
  1067. ]]></content>
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