AYA Local Coordinator Appreciation Week: Meet Dina from South Carolina!

Local Coordinators do more than just supervise. They create activities, engage with their students, and foster a sense of community not only amongst the students themselves, but with the greater local community. Long-time AYA LC Dina B. is a prime example. One of her students this year took the time to explain what makes Dina so great, and we’re certain many other students feel this way about their LCs!

My name is Reem and I am placed in South Carolina under the coordination of Dina. My LC makes it a mission to stay in contact with us and gather us all together to spend more time with one another. I, and every single exchange student in our group, have been and are in communication with Dina at least a couple of times a week!

I can confidently speak on behalf of my group when I say that we are incredibly blessed to have been placed with her. She is our source of comfort, reassurance, and guidance; we are not afraid of talking to her about absolutely any issue we desire. She has an continues to welcome us all with arms wider than the universe!

In addition, my LC makes it a mission to make sure that each and every one of us is comfortable in our surroundings and not homesick. She arranges activities almost every weekend that occupy us and allow us to make even more memories and become closer to each other. My LC focuses on each one of us individually and makes sure never to leave anyone out. I consider my group to have one the lottery because we are with her! We love her with all our hearts and believe she deserves to be LC of the century! – Reem Traboulsi, AYA Student from Lebanon

So many AYA students feel as passionately about their Local Coordinator as Reem does about Dina. Our students are so appreciative, and so are we, for all the LCs who take the time to mentor and be a support system for the students in their communities.

Click here if you or someone you know is interested in joining the AYA family as a Local Coordinator. 

Interested in hosting a foreign exchange student like Reem? Click here for more information!