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 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.
Meet Kelly Brown, AYA Local Coordinator for Kansas:
What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?
Kelly: 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.
What sparked your interest in becoming a Local Coordinator?
Kelly: We were approached 10 years ago to host a student that needed to be re-homed and it’s something we’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.
What’s your favorite part about attending a National Meeting?
Kelly: My 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’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’t seen for the last year is just a great experience.
What methods have you used to find new host families?
Kelly: I think one of the best things I can say, is to host yourself. It shows the community out there that you’re invested in the thing that you’re trying to promote. I think also if you get in contact with the schools and have that relationship […] they’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’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’s another good one to try to get your name out there.
What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange?
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’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’s a step forward in the right direction to make everybody realize that we’re a one big world. Then we have to work together in order to make this world a better place […].
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator?
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.
Leave a Reply