Monthly Newsletter for Families, Students, and Representatives Sept.
2. Language fatigue. Keep in mind that despite years of classroom training, speaking English continuously can be nerve wracking and exhausting for your student. If your having a problem communicating, consider creative solutions to barriers. Draw pictures, try acting out what you want to say, post signs around the house to label items like "oven," "hairdryer," etc. During these first weeks, students make dozens of language errors. We suggest you ignore all but those which are likely to get the student in trouble or laughed at.
3. Family involvement. If family members have household responsibilities, then one way to help the student begin to feel included is to assign some tasks to the student as well. However, it’s best to start with a small assignment that can be easily explained and easily accomplished. An example might be asking the student to bring in the morning newspaper, or helping with dishes.
2. Noticing imperfections. Many host parents have in their mind that their exchange student will be perfect. Exchange students are not perfect and angelic like Hummel figurines. They’re normal, ordinary kids who make mistakes, break things, hurt your feelings, and get upset and say things in funny ways-just like your own kids. Please remember that your disappointment is only temporary. As it fades, you will be ready to discover the real similarities and differences between you and your exchange student. We think that it’s these real-life discoveries that lead to true friendships.
3. Setting realistic goals. Along with developing an accurate image of their exchange student, it is also important that families consider goals they might have for the hosting experience. Three attainable goals… 1)taking an exchange student for the purpose of lifestyle sharing; 2) entering the experience with the goal of learning about cultures (your own and others); and 3) becoming host parents with the hope of developing a friendship with a person from another culture.
By now most students have arrived into their families. We want to say thank you for welcoming a student into your home!
Each month I will be sending out this newsletter. In this newsletter will be information about the different stages that you and your student may be going through, although each family and student may have different degrees of the stages.
Stage one begins the day an exchange student arrives and usually ends before the one month mark. Typically it last from seven to fourteen days. When visitors arrive at the door step, we greet them enthusiastically to let them know they are welcome in our home. But for exchange students, coping with this initial period can be difficult. Not only may your student be confused by a handshake or misread your hugs and kisses, but he/she may also be too weary with arrival fatigue to appreciate your expressions of hospitality.
Families often find that while their gestures of welcome may be overlooked and their words misunderstood, their concern for the student’s adjustment is almost always appreciated. Thus, without ever saying so in words, your thoughtful and comforting actions can convey to your student a message of welcome: "You’re with people who understand what you’re going through and who know how to be helpful."
To assist you with this kind of practical welcome, we’ve put together a number of suggestions which are designed to help bring a speedy recovery to arrival fatigue.
1. Personal space. You can help a newly-arrived student develop a sense of security and belonging by showing him what will be his personal area in the house. Invite them to display photos and mementos which can help personalize the room and remind them of their cultural heritage. Also, if you give
1. Disruption of familiar family routines. For awhile, a break from life’s routines and uneventful ruts can be refreshing relief. But as many vacationer can tell you, all too soon we tire of mountain top highs and unending new vistas. Eventually we pack our suitcases and head home for the