The Mid-Year Orientation is designed to provide additional support to students and host families at the midpoint of their exchange experience. The Mid-year orientation takes place when students and host families have been living together for about five months. It gives everyone an opportunity to examine their experience thus far, to identify their concerns, and to set realistic goals for the time remaining. The mid-year orientation gives students and host families an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings as well as to seek advice from YFU volunteers and other students.
Mid-year orientations are required for students and strongly encouraged for host parents. Mid-Year LOOP.
Sessions
Required Student Sessions (Close to 4 hr + lunch & 2-10 min breaks)
To ensure that orientation programming is consistent in content and quality across the YFU network, we provide these requisite sessions. While their use is compulsory, orientation presenters are encouraged to implement their own teaching styles and methods.
Midyear Summary & Guidance from E & T–This document shares helpful information to anyone facilitating a local orientation.
- 1 – Welcome
- 2 – Adjustment Process
- 3 – Dear Area Rep – Problem Solving
- 4 – Emotional Banking
- 5 – Stereotyping
- 6 – Communication
- 7 – Goal Setting
- 8 – Wrap Up(combined session with host parents)
ENERGIZERS– This is a helpful handout with 5 – 10 minute songs/energizers with hand and body movements, to use during breaks on orientation day. Thank you to former students from around the world for sharing your favorite energizers!
Click here for a link to more energizers!
Parent Sessions (2hr & 20 min)
Supplemental & Optional Activities
-If you have more than 4 hours for your Mid-Year orientation, these supplemental sessions are available to enhance the program.
- Hotel vs Home with Host Family & Student Report Cards– This activity may be used at anytime during the Orientation
- 3-2-1 Problem Solving – This session is optional, but may be helpful to use
- Bucket List Graphic– This graphic may be used in Session #6- Goal Setting
- Chatter– This activity may be used in Session #5-Communication
- Colored Glasses Manual – The present Coloured Glasses manual is the result of long-term co-operation and contributions of many YFU volunteers and staff across Europe. The manual has been revised and updated throughout the years by a number of individuals with expertise in the field of intercultural learning and practical experience in facilitating Coloured Glasses workshops. Check out this resource!
ORIENTATION FACILITATORS: Please take a few moments to share your sign in sheet with E & T as soon as possible after each orientation so we may accurately track attendance.
Scan and email all documents to Orientations@yfu.org
Send expense reports to our new address:
YFU USA
Attn Education & Training
6856 Eastern Ave NW Suite # 310
Washington, DC 20012
Admin forms
-
Invitation – Send at least 3 weeks in advance of meeting
-
Student Sign in Sheet – Submit to E & T within a week following orientation
-
Host Parent Sign in Sheet– Submit to E & T within a week following orientation
-
Agenda – Submit to E & T within a week following orientation
-
Orientation Reporting Form – Complete this online form within a week of your orientation.
-
Session by Session breakdown of materials– a handy guide to help coordinators organize the material by session
Handouts
BACKUP and webinar information
One-on-One Orientation
If a student cannot attend their in-person Mid-year orientation, please have their Area Rep or a volunteer arrange a time to share the materials. Be sure to submit a sign in sheet or click and download the Individual Orientation Reporting Form linked here.
Webinar Orientation
Midyear orientations are required for students. Links to register for the Mid Year Orientation webinar–coming soon!