14. Culture Shock “ The term used to describe the feeling of anxiety that results when a person moves to a completely new environment…losing all familiar signs and symbols of social interaction.”
21. NOTE: It is prohibited to drink alcohol while on the EF High School Year program. In addition, you will be violating state and national laws in most host countries
Application procedure: Host families have filled out application forms, very much like the ones you filled out. Screening: They have been interviewed by the IEC/RC and their house has been inspected. Host family references are checked (professional and personal) and the school gives approval of the family being a host by signing the HSY enrollment form. Host family preparation : host families receive a host family hand book and attend a mandatory orientation with the IEC prior to student arrival. Culture sharing : In nearly all countries, host families are not paid for hosting an EF student. Many parents wonder: “Why would someone host my daughter/son for an entire year and not get anything for it?” The answer is simple: They do get something out of it – but not money. Some of the reasons for volunteering with EF Foundation are To learn about another culture (sometimes their own ancestry) To share their own culture Support cultural exchange To bring internationalism to schools and community To enhance their family life. For example, a single parent would love to share their home with a student. Older couples whose own children are grown and living away from home may want to open their homes to a student because they enjoy parenting, and are experienced at it.
Be realistic ! Not all families have 2 children and a dog! More important: life in your new country will not be like it was at home, you will experience another culture and a new way of living which you will have to adapt to. Every family has their life style and you should show respect for their lifestyle, show interest and follow their house rules. Remember: “It is not wrong, it is not right, it is just different!” Most of our students (90%) are placed in rural areas – be prepared! Share and communicate : your host family looks forward to the year just as much as you do. Host families want to share their culture and traditions with you and in return, they would love to learn a lot about you and your culture. Never hesitate to talk to your host family. It is always best to be open and honest with them. In the beginning you both will have to adjust and it might feel that you sometimes do not get along with your host family that well. This is normal though but do talk about your feelings! Once you get to know your host family, it will be like having a second family, even if they live a different life from what you are used to. Daily chores and house rules: You will be treated as a member of the family – with this comes the responsibility to be an active member of the host family, share the daily chores and make sure you know the house rules: Chores might include making your bed, washing the dishes, mowing the lawn etc. Be aware that curfew is a typical rule for teenagers abroad. Don’t bring a partner or friend of the opposite sex into your bedroom. Be aware and sensitive to dress codes – dress appropriate at school and in front of host family members There will be rules for how much time you can spend in front of the computer Siblings : If your host siblings are close in age to you, you will probably make friends with their friends quickly. However, we recommend that you try to make friends of your own as well. There can sometimes be a rival situation between you and your host brother or sister and it is important that you are not too dependent on them to have a good year. Eating habits abroad differ from home. Although challenging sometimes, try to adapt. Some families eat together as a family every day, others don’t. You can not expect your hf to adjust to your eating habits. In some countries fast food, pizza and hamburgers is more common than fresh vegetables and fruit. Religion : if your host family is religious, be respectful and participate in church activities with them. Even if a hf wants you to go with them to church it does not mean that they expect you to convert to their religion!
Again: don’t spend your year on the phone or the computer! Respect the rules : Internet usage is a privilege– not all families will have a computer. Your hf will not appreciate if you spend too much time in front of your computer or on the phone, regardless if it is their computer/telephone or your own. If you spend too much time surfing on the internet and chatting with you friends back home you will never adjust to the life in your host country and your hf will not think that you are socializing with them! Please ask your hf what their rules are and respect them! Please note that your hf or Local Rep might confiscate your personal lap top and/or cell phone. You may not access inappropriate internet sites. In most countries, it is illegal for minors to access pornography. Be aware of the fact that many hf’s have parental control on their computer, which means that they will be able to see which internet sites that you are accessing and your correspondence on MSN. Telephone/Internet costs : Be aware of how much time and money you are spending on the phone and be sure to pay the family your bills. EF sends out a phone card to all students before departure. This is a refill card that you can use to call cheaper from your hf’s phone without having to charge their phone bill.
EF TIP : Be thankful to your host family. (Occasionally cook something, give a small gift or thank you card or invite your host family to dinner at the local pizzeria). Your host family will be looking forward to having you living with them. Make sure that next year will be the best year in your life AND the best year in the life of your host family!
Head office : Each host country has a head office with experienced, permanent staff. The office facilitates all support, travel and administrative tasks necessary for your exchange year. Our local support network includes your Regional Coordinator (RC), your International Exchange Coordinator (IEC) and your Host Family
Host family placement : Ensuring proper Host Family placement of students in their area. Host families are recruited by word-of mouth through RCs, IECs, other host families and sometimes students. Sometimes they respond to our website, newspaper ads and community events, and other times they are recruited through our Recruitment Team efforts. The screening process includes: In-home interview Home inspection References check School approval (via high school enrollment form) School placement : secure school enrollment. An IEC requests “school slots” at schools he/she works with, this allows a student to enroll in high school. Safety and support : Ensure the safety and well-being of their exchange students and support them throughout the year. Counseling : (More at the end of this presentation). First of all, when you have a problem, you should tell someone in your host country – either your hf or your local or regional representative. Do not keep it to yourself or only tell your parents at home. Talk to your host family, your IEC or RC if you have any problems. For example, if you have a problem with your host family, talk to your IEC, one of his/her responsibilities is your well being. Orientation meetings : Your local support person will conduct Orientation Meetings during your year Host family orientation – prior to student arrival Welcome Orientation ‘ Re-entry orientation at the end of HSY year IEC contact : Your IEC will contact you during your exchange year to see how you are doing but please reach out yourself as well. Let your IEC know how you are doing, if you have any concerns/problems or if you have something exciting that you would like to share!
Family introduction : when dating or bringing home a new friend, this person needs to be introduced to your host family. Going out : boys should expect to pay for their dates. Sexuality : Sexuality is a sensitive topic – don’t talk about it in public! Relationship and sex can be viewed differently in other cultures. Certain things that you may take for granted as only friendly signs may be interpreted as sexual relationships. For instance: in the USA you will never be allowed to sleep over at a opposite-sex-friend’s house. Also, most host families will not allow you to close the door to your bedroom if you have brought a boyfriend or a girlfriend home. Pay attention to what your local friends wear at school and refrain from wearing too revealing clothes, too short skirts and equivalent. Unwritten rules : Each country has unwritten rules to dating – make sure you know them! Ask your host family and IEC for advise. Reputation : think about your reputation! Most communities are very small and people will know everything about one another! This also applies to who you are dating and hanging out with! Trust the advice form your host family and/or IEC! If you don’t behave in a responsible way their reputation will also be jeopardized.
Smoking : If you smoke, the best you can do is to quit. If you are a non–smoker on your application form then you are a non-smoker in your host country. If you smoke, please be careful and make sure that you do not violate any school or state laws (in most states in the USA it is illegal to smoke if you are under the age of 18). In most schools, it is forbidden to smoke in the school area and in some states, it is illegal to buy cigarettes. Respect your household rules, that may mean that if you want to smoke, it must be done outside. Alcohol : In the USA, it is prohibited to possess, buy and drink alcohol (including beer) if you are under 21! In addition to violating EF’s rules and regulations, you will be violating state and national laws in most host countries. It will most likely lead to dismissal from the program and an early return to your home country at your parents’ expense. Avoid parties where alcohol is served Drugs : Possession and/or consumption of drugs automatically means dismissal from the program and an early return at your parents’ expense.
If a student is caught drinking alcohol or doing other drugs during the exchange year he/she will be sent home at the expenses of the natural parents.
Traveling during your High School Year : Traveling is only allowed together with an adult 25 years or older and only if you have permission. All travel must be approved by your host family, IEC and natural parents Visits from home EF strongly discourages visits from home before Easter. A good time for parents to visit is at the end of your year. During the year you would surely be happy to see your parents, but it can be very hard to say goodbye again which will most likely give you severe homesickness. Don’t take for granted that friends of family that are visiting can stay with your host family. Please ask them before your parents make any travel plans, sometimes a hotel is more suitable. Discovery Tours: These are optional tours and excursions organised by EF in the host country during some school holidays. Example of trips are Hawaii, East Coast Cities, California, Paris, London, Dublin and Berlin. Information about these trips will be sent direclty to the students hf address, (in the US this usually happends November/December). Some tours are very popular and EF can not guarantee participation, trips are sold on a first come, first serve basis. A student is considered having booked a tour when EF in the host country has recieved their application AND deposit has been paid. Restrictions : Travel should only take place during school holidays Travel outside your host country is not allowed.
After school activities : When your classes are over for the day, most students stay after school to socialize with their friends. This is where your “exchange” really happens! Schools also have many after school activities e.g. sports (remember though: no guarantee!), committees or clubs. Learn how to play an instrument, join the school marching band or the biology club. After school activities are an excellent way to meet new friends that have similar interests as you. (See also school chapter) Sports : find out what is out there that you can join/do in your community. Volunteerism : A lot of students volunteer for a non-profit organization, you help a good cause and it is a great way to get to know people. It is especially popular in the USA: people participate in cloth and book drives, ride the AIDS ride, help in the soup kitchen or clean up high ways or beaches with a team. Church activities : Churches organize many community events, so become active in the church in your community! Especially in the U.S., church play an important social role. That’s the place where people meet up, do/plan activities and spend social time together. (See more information later on in this presentation). Movies, Malls, McDonalds : remember that you are in a different country, your new friends might find other things fun than what you are used to. Take the chance to discover new things to do, with your new friends! Rural areas : be aware that rural areas may have more limited possibilities. Find out what is out there, ask other students or your teachers at school, your host family or IEC! In the U.S., churches often organize a lot of activities for both adults and teenagers.
Ups and downs : Homesickness/Not getting along with your host family – ups and downs are normal and happen to everyone, particularly in the beginning and at some particular times like Christmas and other family holidays. Give it some time – don’t expect that you will love your hf after a week. It takes time to get to know each other and you have to make an effort to settle in. Communication : Don’t isolate yourself – be active, talk to others. Do limit communication to your home country, especially your parents. They are far away from you and they will only be very worried and upset if they find out that you have a problem that they can not help you with as they are not right by your side. If you have any problem or concern (homesickness, not getting along with your host family), you should always contact your IEC first. Support and advice : Your IEC is there for you if you need support or advice. He/she will help you talk to your host family or school about your feelings. Our IEC are experienced and trained to be able to help with things like this, so don’t hesitate to talk to him/her. They are there for you!
The lines of communication : Through the years, EF has worked out a ‘Chain of Communication’ that has proved to be the best way to handle information and solve any problems that might arise. Make sure that you know the chain of communication and adhere to it during the exchange year. Office staff, RC, IEC: When you are abroad, you need to know that you have a support network surrounding you 24-hour emergency telephone : If you cannot get in touch with any of your IEC or RC, the 24-hour EF-telephone is always open for emergencies. Keep your Student ID card with all important phone numbers in your wallet throughout your exchange year! Let us help you ! Please do not try to solve the problem yourselves and don’t expect your natural parents being able to solve anything from home. Let us help you! Students – contact your IEC/RC or the EF office in your host country. Parents – call the EF office in your country if you have any questions and encourage your children to talk to his/her ice/RC/EF in the host country. If we are not informed of the problem, we can not help you!
Host family: Whenever you have concerns or problems, talk to your host family first. IEC: If you cannot discuss it with your host family, always contact your IEC before anyone else. RC: If your IEC is unavailable, please call your RC. Local office: Staff in the local office are always there to help you with major issues and practical matter such as flights, but generally the contact goes through the RC. Home country office: Only in exceptional cases should you need to contact your home country office directly Parents: Students, try to avoid contacting your parents if you have a problem - they can not influence the situation in your host country, instead they will only be worried. Parents should always contact the office in the home country for any concerns, not the Host country office, RC or IEC.
Student Handbook and Preparation Handbook : Please make sure you have read your Student Handbook and Preparation Handbook prior to your departure and be sure to bring these books with you. Monthly Mailings : each month, from approximately 10 months before your departure, you will get information to read about your host country. This information includes things like school system, living with a host family, trends and fashion, tips & advise etc. Make sure to read these before you travel. My High School Year – your personal website : when you confirmed your participation to the program, you got access to a personal website on www.EF.com. You can log in with your own user name and password and read more about your year abroad. You will also be able to follow a diary of a student that is currently abroad, to get real first-hand information on what it’s really like. When we have found a suitable host family, a school and support network for you, this will also be published on your page, as will your flight details and much more… During your year abroad, we will continue to post important messages to you and you can also upload photos and write messages for your families and friends at home. Make sure to that you e-mail address on this home page is accurate so we can keep you informed. Write, e-mail or call : When you receive your placement information, please make sure to write, e-mail or call your EF Representative or Host Family to introduce yourself and start getting to know each other. Make sure Region research : Do some research about the region in which you are going to live – realize that 90% of students live in rural areas. Pack cleverly! Gift : Prepare something personal or something typical from your home country to bring to your host family. It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive, just a little something.
Please fill in your local information for your country here… EF will book an electronic flight ticket for you. You will get your flight itinerary sent to you prior to departure. EF recommends that you fly with one suitcase and one hand luggage (preferably the EF bag so we can recognize you). Please note that you can not pack liquids in your hand luggage! Remember to write the phone number of your host family and your iec on your Student Emergency and ID card (given to you today!) so you have it handy in case you are delayed and need to contact them. Bring some cash with you so can buy a snack or some food in case your flight gets delayed. There will be EF airport supervision at your first US destination but please note that they usually can not access behind security area. Call the emergency phone no if you need their help – see Travel Guide that will be sent out to everyone prior to departure!!!
Travel Insurance: EF offers a tailor-made comprehensive insurance which covers all situations that may occur during you year abroad. The extensive coverage includes everything - medical costs, lost property, liability, program interruption, legal expenses... Since this insurance is tailor-made for our exchange program, it is particularly good value for money. Also, all EF staff are familiar with the insurance and the claims function, which makes the handling easier and quicker. The price is XXX for European destinations, YYY for USA, Canada and New Zealand, and ZZZ for Australia. Optional Sports Insurance Supplement: The EF Travel Insurance - like most insurances - excludes coverage for certain risky activities, as well as for training and competing for sports clubs outside school. With this supplement, you are covered for this. It will not be possible to buy this insurance in the middle of the school year, so please make sure to book it before departure or within 3 weeks after you have arrived to your host country. EF Student ID-card: All EF-students get a Student ID-card for free before they leave. Use this for identification during the year and to maybe receive student discounts at cinemas, theaters, museums etc.
EF Student ID-card: All EF-students get their Student ID-card today during this Orientation Meeting. Use this for identification during the year and to maybe receive student discounts at cinemas, theaters, museums etc.
EF Phone Card: With this, you can call from any phone on the planet. You never have to worry about being near a phone booth, having the right change, or reimbursing your host family or a friend. Just enter your personal code and dial! The phone card can be recharged over the internet, instructions will follow the card that will be distributed to all our students prior to departure. Euorpean students going to the US will also get a SIM card that they can use for their cell phone from EF.
Returning home : When your exchange year is over, you will probably feel sad to return back to your home country. This is natural and part of your exchange year maturing process. EF Returnee Club : Your high school exchange with EF does not end once you return to your home country. When you are home, you will be invited to a welcome home party. You will be able to meet other students who have also been away for an exchange year abroad. Then you can also choose to join the EF Returnee Club. The Returnee Club plans different events during the year, you may able to work for EF by interviewing or preparing students for a year abroad etc. My High School Year Returnee Club site : Your personal site on My High School Year, will be extended and you will be able to access a whole new part – exclusively for those who sign up to become members in the EF Returnee Club!
![EF’s Product Variety ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)