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 Sheri, who runs a cluster in Idaho, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.
Meet Sheri Schuster, AYA Local Coordinator for Idaho:
What’s the best part of being a Local Coordinator?
Sheri: The best part about being a Local Coordinator is the family, the kids, the networking, the AYA family and the student’s families. It’s just a big, huge family and that to me is the best part of being a local coordinator.
What makes working with AYA special?
Sheri: Working with AYA through the years I’ve got to know some of the staff very personally we’ve traveled the world together. We’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’s had the pleasure of traveling with me to all of them and it’s amazing!
What makes a great Local Coordinator?
Sheri: 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’re there for them and you let them see that, you have way less problems that way.
What is a National Meeting like?
Sheri: [How] I would describe going to National meetings to somebody that hasn’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’s such an amazing experience!
What is the biggest benefit to international education and exchange?
Sheri: 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’re teaching us not us teaching them.
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 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.
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