The Role of an AYA Local Coordinator

AYA Local Coordinators share a deep belief in the value of cross-cultural exchange. They enjoy working with foreign exchange students and are key to the success of the AYA program. Every one of the responsibilities listed below is an important function of the Local Coordinator position:

• Serving as a spokesperson for intercultural exchange and actively marketing the AYA program in his or her community.
• Establishing relationships with high school administrators and understanding each school's policy on foreign exchange students.
• Identifying, screening and selecting families who are appropriate host families for AYA students.
• Making at least one placement (of an AYA student in a host family and school) per calendar year.
• Conducting orientations for host families prior to the arrival of the foreign exchange students, meeting the students at the airport and introducing them to their host families.
• Conducting orientations for students who elect to travel directly to their host community.
• Providing support and supervision for students and host families throughout the AYA program year or semester.
• Promoting and providing interviews and/or orientations for the American Youth Abroad program, AYA's outbound exchange program.

Apply to become an AYA Local Coordinator!