In today’s very complicated, social and political climate, we want to take this opportunity to recognize the work our Local Coordinators are doing to help our international students and local host communities process and understand events and trends impacting us all. These are generous, welcoming people doing so much for our students, our host families and for AYA as a whole. They help students and communities to learn about and engage in activities and conversations about culture, international relations and of course, everyday life.
In addition to placing and supervising students, one very important aspect of the work Local Coordinators do is helping people to have the difficult conversations about current events and trends in the world. They provide a valuable service by supporting open and safe lines of communication and encouraging people to express themselves and learn from one another to examine what’s going on, how it makes them feel, what they think, how they are affected and what they can do about it.
At a recent gathering of Local Coordinators at AYA headquarters, this group discussed their passion for the value of AYA exchange and commitment to promoting cultural understanding in their home communities. It was a great meeting of dedicated individuals with our best interests at heart.
Local Coordinators and AYA staff talked about the importance of having conversations with students about current events going on in the United States, as this is something we are all affected by. Whether it be the election, school shootings, or the Black Lives Matter movement and thousands of things in between, exchange students are here, and they are observing it all.
Local Coordinator Regenia S. from Ohio shared that she had actively sought out her students to have those tough conversations and see how they felt. She provided them a safe place to express themselves and discuss difficult topics and some real global issues that reach into our local interactions.
Regenia’s open-minded compassion and willingness to breach difficult topics exemplified the mindset and commitment of the group at large. Their work beautifully advocates for Academic Year in America and everything we stand for by providing a safe and supportive environment for international students to experience a new culture and get to know the world around them.
Learn more about how you can become an AYA Local Coordinator or how to host an international exchange student!
Love the way the organization connects the world!!!!