Arrival orientation

From AFSWiki

Arrival Orientation Overview

Although all orientations are important, this one provides the opportunity to begin creating a supportive relationship between and among the volunteer team and the hosted students. Held when the students arrive in the summer (January for Winter participants), it happens at a time when the students are brimming with emotions, some of them contradictory in nature. It is a time to be gentle and reassuring. Language levels will vary greatly in any one group of participants as will the ability to take information due to other factors such as jet lag.

In general, the first priority is meeting basic physical needs. This usually includes making sure the students have enough sleep and food. Sometimes they are so jet-lagged and overwhelmed that they aren't even sure of their own needs. This really has an impact on the type of site chosen for the orientation: quiet zones for sleep, accessible meals, showers. Another basic need that gets met in the beginning is often the natural parents' need to hear that the student has arrived. If there is an internet connection, Skype is a good inexpensive tool for this.

During the event you may also wish to help participants adapt to the local time zone. We urge students to try not to sleep until 10PM of the time zone we are in based on the idea that if they begin napping now their jet lag may take much longer to dissipate. This also means finding lively activities for the students to do during the day: long walks, hikes, swimming, playing games, soccer, etc.

Second and Third Arrivals

When students arrive in a second or third wave of travel, an Arrival Orientation must still take place at the local level, using the regular Arrival Orientation resources. (Sponsored Program participants arriving outside of core arrival dates should be incorporated into the next Arrival Orientation to be held in your team, or be provided a one-on-one orientation within seven days of arrival if your team is not conducting another event.) However there is some additional content that we encourage you to cover with students in a second or third arrival.

Depending on the date of travel, the students may not have very much time to adjust before beginning school; remind them to pay close attention to the tasks they must do in order to prepare for school in a timely manner.
Students may be going to temporary Welcome Families. Use the following resource to speak with students who will be welcomed by a temporary placement family.

Tips for Participants in Welcome Families

In late June AFS-USA provided the following letter to all partners sending to the U.S. and asked that it be forwarded to participants and their families.

Multiple Arrival Letter to Partners