Wednesday, September 26, 2012

A Teacher's Perspective


Some time ago, we interviewed Barb Cottle, a teacher and parent of one of our students, to ask about her thoughts on the exchange experience. Students and parents, have a look at her great responses!

YFU Canada: As a teacher (and a mother), what is your personal experience with both inbound and outbound exchange students? How can exchanges help improve the school environment? 
Barb: I was fortunate to be able to spend a year in France during university, and all three of my children have done some sort of exchange both within Canada and to Europe. Those experiences helped to make each of us stretch ourselves, and to gain confidence as well as develop both language and social skills. As a teacher I have not had exchange students, but have had students from a variety of different cultures in my class. Exchanges can have a profound impact on both the student who goes abroad, and on the community who receives them. I have enjoyed learning from exchangees, and have found it brings an openess to the classes that share their culture and learn about another one. I believe that by learning that we do things differently, but are still much the same helps students to be more open to alternative ways of thinking as well as to other people.
YFU Canada: What are the most important aspects to consider for a student who wishes to go on exchange abroad? 
Barb: Students going abroad need to be ready to try new things, from foods, to activities, to household routines.  You have to be ready to stretch out of your comfort zone. It is a great idea to speak to people who have gone on an exchange and hear what they thought were the best and worst approaches to take. Everyone is an individual, and needs to find whatever will work the best for them. My only advice is not to be shy - put yourself out there, and don' t be hard on yourself when you feel you made a mistake. You will not always understand the rules of another culture, so accept your capacity for messing up and learn from it, but let it go. Each student will make their way through their own exchange; make it your own.
YFU Canada: How can an exchange enhance a student's academics and help them prepare for university?
Barb: I moved to Stratford from Rochester, New York in the middle of grade 11. I had always done well in math. I was astounded to find that I actually looked at the geometry questions differently. Where I saw 2 triangles and a square, my classmates and teacher saw 2 squares and a rhombus.  We don't always realize how much we are conditioned by our culture. Approaching learning within a different context will help make you more versatile and ready for the different approaches you may experience in university or college.  
YFU Canada: What are some of the biggest challenges involved in going on exchange? Who is a good candidate for an exchange?
Barb: The biggest challenge during an exchange is the feeling of not belonging. You are always unsure of what the norms and expectations are. You have to be prepared to do your best, and celebrate when you get it right, or have those moments you know you understand it all. Everyone can be a good candidate, but you will feel more ready when you know you don't mind being somewhat alone, and can face uncertainty. If you are ready to meet new people, and try new ways of doing things, an exchange may be a great fit.  
YFU Canada: Many students considering an exchange are concerned about school credits and not graduating on time. What is your advice to them?
Barb: It is not often in your life you will be able to take a year "off" and do something completely different.  While you are young, you can, especially with the flexibility of the fifth year of high school. If  you can take advantage of this incredible opportunity, do it. An extra year until you arrive in the post-secondary world won't matter, but the growth you will experience and the memories you will have will last a lifetime.  

Thanks, Barb! Remember, if you're nervous about going on exchange or not sure how it'll affect your graduation or course credits, you can talk to your guidance counsellor or a teacher anytime. They'll give you great advice!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Uruguay

We're just a week away from the deadline for applications to Uruguay now, and to my surprise, we don't have anyone applying this year! Such a shame, since the two alumni I spoke to at our training weekend in Southern Ontario last year had the time of their lives in Uruguay.

Are you out there, passionate Uruguay alumni? I want to hear from you! 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Parlez-vous français?

Wow - I feel like I've been working on adding the French translations of the website forever, but it's finally 95% done! Wish the 5% remaining weren't all the ever-important country information. Anybody French speakers out there want to help Mark and me tackle some short country summaries en français?

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Life as a Host Sister

Kukka & I at the beach in Colchester
by Sarah

It's two weeks before all the exchange students come to Canada and I receive an email about becoming a host family. Three students still did not have a place to go. I got really excited, and right away I asked my parents. Most likely it was going to be a 'no' because of how expensive it was for us to have me going to South Korea.

But on Saturday August 25th, 2012, I, Sarah, became a host sister! Now, let's be honest. When you don't really know somebody, you feel awkward around them and you don't really know what to say. Therefore, I admit, when we first had Kukka arrive it was sorta like "awkward". Soon enough, though, it became less awkward.

The first week after Kukka arrived from Finland, I took her around the city. I took her down to the Detroit river since I live about 10 mintues away. Kukka gets to see Canada and the US in person...sort of...haha. We walked all the way to the bridge where America and Canada are connected. I showed her downtown. I took her to a lot of places. Eventually, I ran out of ideas, and I felt like I was boring her. But then I thought, well, this is the normal Canadian life! It's not all fun and games, and she is here to experience what it is like to be "Canadian".

In terms of how she has impacted our family, I think my family has become more helpful. Everyone likes to help around the house. My mom thinks Kukka is a really good exchange student. She's constantly helping around the house, always asking if she can help or do something. Having an exchange student is like having a new member family, or having a sleepover with someone for a year! I don't mind her being her. She's a very good person.

We took Kukka to some places already, like Colasanti's and Point Peele. She found everything so fascinating about being here. She likes to go downtown a lot and see places. To me, because I have been here so long, its like well...its boring here! But its amazing how its so amazing to her. I will probably feel the same when I arrive in Korea. At Colasanti's, we saw all the different animals, and played games and golf. Then we went to Point Peele, so she could visit the TIP OF CANADA!

Now that school's back in session, she hasn't gotten to go yet because of the wait. She's spent a lot of time going around the city and exploring, but we JUST got the news she can go to school soon! She's so excited!

Honestly, hosting a student isn't "strange", it feels very natural. It's just like having a new addition to the family!


Interested in hosting a student of your own? You can find a host family FAQ and application here!

Arrival Orientation Photos

This past weekend, YFU Canada welcomed 22 new exchange students to their homes for the next year with the annual Arrival Orientation!

YFU Canada Orientation

Our fantastic Orientation Coordinators, Brynn and Steven, organized a great weekend for us at Lambton Shores on Lake Huron. Our awesome team of volunteers took care of making what seemed like hundreds of eggs and sandwiches! We covered (hopefully!) everything the exchange students might have been wondering in the two weeks since they arrived in Ontario - how to settle in with their host families, get along in school, reach the YFU support network, stay safe online and make smart decisions during their year abroad. The group was really great, and I know they're going to have a fantastic year!


YFU Canada Orientation


YFU Canada Orientation

YFU Canada Orientation

YFU Canada Orientation at Lake Huron

YFU Canada Orientation at Lake Huron

Youth For Understanding Canada Exchange Students

Youth For Understanding Canada Exchange Students

Youth For Understanding Canada Exchange StudentsYouth For Understanding Canada

Youth For Understanding Canada Volunteers

Youth For Understanding Canada Exchange Students



Youth For Understanding Canada Exchange Students

Youth For Understanding Canada Exchange Students
Thanks for coming, everyone!


Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Veronica's Story

by Veronica
Here I am sitting at my computer typing away all my thoughts. Almost everything is done. I just have a few loose ends to tie up. In two days time my life will have to be compressed into one 29” suitcase and a backpack. I wonder if that is even possible?
My name is Veronica Otoya Salazar. I am 17 years old and soon, I will be going to Japan for 10 months. A lot of people have been asking me if I'm excited for my exchange to Japan. The answer to that is, “WELL, OF COURSE I AM!” People have also asked me if I'm nervous and the answer to that question is yes. Scared, worried, happy- yes, yes and yes. I’ve got a fraction of all these emotions inside of me. 
I will start by telling you a bit about my choice. A life accomplishment I would like to achieve is to travel the world and learn about the differences in cultures all over the world. The chance of becoming an exchange student is life changing to me. I know it will be a fantastic, fun and amazing experience. One can learn so much about a culture and a new language on a first hand basis. It will help me mature into a young adult in many different ways, and it will be an eye-opening journey where I will expand my global knowledge. I realize that being an exchange student will be challenging, but I feel that I am ready for this journey. When I tell people about my dream of being an exchange student in Japan, the first question I always get is: ” Why Japan out of all countries?” In my opinion Japan is a very isolated country and its people like to keep to themselves. Meanwhile, most Japanese people that I have met are very polite and respectful. These people devote themselves to everything that they do, until they reach perfection. I want to be surrounded by that type of environment. I would also love to visit and learn more about Japan’s amazing advancements regarding their technology. Japan has been known to create the most advanced technology, such as the bullet train.
I don’t want to be considered just “another tourist”. Instead, I want to be involved in Japanese life and get to know the people and their land. In the future, I hope to be fluent in Japanese so I may study at a university in Japan. My motto while being on the exchange will be “Go with the flow.” and “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This is how I believe I will get the most out of my exchange. To be given this opportunity means a lot to me. This interest of mine has become a passion I wish to keep expanding, and I must go to Japan in order to gain my own knowledge and understanding of Japan and its wonders.

Veronica is one of our Student Ambassadors and on program in Japan. Follow her adventures on her blog!

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Hello, friends of YFU Canada!

This blog will be replacing the general newsletter and will serve as a way to let volunteers, alumni, students, family and friends what's going on with YFU Canada.

Youth For Understanding (YFU) is one of the oldest, largest and most widely respected non-profit international student exchange organizations in the world.
In 1951, 75 German teenagers from Germany and Austria were selected by the Army of the Occupation to come to live in the United States with American families for one year under the auspices of the US Department of State. The students were between 15 and 18 years old and, as it later became apparent, it was exactly this age group which seemed to be most able to naturally participate and adjust to the lifestyles and values of a foreign family and community.
Dr. Rachel Andresen, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor/Washtenaw Council of Churches, educator, and social worker, was asked to lend her assistance and helped place these first students in American homes on a voluntary basis. In 1952 the Council of Churches received permission to act as the official agency for this program. It was named "Youth For Understanding." Then, as now, family and community living were at the center of the YFU international learning experience. 
These initial exchanges, which grew out of an effort to heal the wounds of World War II, established the family living experience and provided the impetus for YFU expansion to other parts of the world. In the mid-fifties, the program grew to include Scandinavia, and later to western and central Europe. Youth For Understanding bridged the Pacific in 1958 when the first students came from Japan. The Pacific program now also includes Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
Youth For Understanding was introduced to Latin America in 1958, beginning with Mexico; South American countries opened their doors to YFU in 1959.
As the program increased in size, it became clear that incorporation as a non-profit educational organization was necessary. This status was achieved in 1964. Today, Youth For Understanding is one of the world's oldest, largest, and most respected international exchange programs. Since its inception in 1951, YFU offices around the world have exchanged over 240,000 students. 

So join us on our journey and learn about being a YFU Canada exchange student or volunteer, or welcome a student into your home! Remember, it's no secret that the world is out there. Experience it, with Youth for Understanding.