Host Family Pre-Arrival Goals and Expectations Activity

From AFSWiki

This activity is appropriate for use in:

• Host Family Pre-Arrival orientation

Goal

The goal of this activity is allow participants to express their expectations about the experience, reflect on these in light of the mission AFS, and share their accomplishments.

Objectives

By the end of this activity participants will be able to:

• express their expectations for the experience;
• reflect on one or more personal goals for the experience in light of their expectations and the AFS Mission.
• celebrate their achievements so far.

Group size

Any

Materials

• Host Family Handbook
• flip chart and marker
• writing utensils
• Post–It Notes – optional
• note cards – optional

Preparation

Transcribe the mission of AFS-USA (below) onto flip chart paper and post where it is visible to all.

AFS-USA works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities through a global volunteer partnership.

Instructions

There are many ways to accomplish the objectives of this activity and we have listed a few here. Feel free to create a version of this activity that works for you and send it to orientations@afs.org for possible inclusion in the next version of this activity.

There are no right or wrong answers in this session and it is not a time to evaluate the validity of a host family members expectations. If you notice that an individual has an expectation that is unrealistic or inappropriate, make note of it and speak to the individual after the session.

Option I – Host Family Handbook

1. Refer participants to the Goals and Expectations Sheet in the Host Family Handbook.

   Leader: Please record at least one expectation, per family member, that you have for the experience. Think of both expectations for what you would like to gain from the experience as well as challenges you may face.

2. Allow 2-3 minutes. Ask for volunteers to share their expectations.
3. Direct the group’s attention to the mission and read it aloud.
4. Leader: Take a few moments to reflect on which of these expectations are related to the mission of AFS and which are not. There are no right or wrong answers here. We would just like you to consider how you as a host family member have the potential to change the world, one participant, one community, one school at a time.
5. Leader: Please write down at least one goal that you have for yourself between now and the time of the Post-Arrival Orientation.
6. Allow 2-3 minutes.
7. Leader: We hope that you will revisit and add to these goals throughout your AFS experience.
8. Leader: Thanks to every one of you for what you have done and for what you will do to help make this an enjoyable and enriching experience for your family and your participant. You are an integral part of AFS’ 60 year old tradition of increasing intercultural understanding and we could not accomplish our mission without you. At this time I would also like to thank my fellow volunteers for their participation in this orientation. We couldn’t accomplish our mission without you either!

Option II – Note Cards

1. Form small groups of up to 10 people keeping family members in the same group. Seat them in a circle if possible. Distribute 3 note cards to each person.
2. Leader: Please legibly record 1-3 expectations you have for the experience on these cards, one per card. Think of both expectations for what you would like to gain from the experience as well as challenges you may face.
3. Allow 2-3 minutes.
4. Collect all cards in the small group and place them on the table or floor so that they are visible to all. Allow 5 minutes for the group to review all of the cards. Note themes that arise and group similar expectations together.
5. Direct the group’s attention to the mission that you've already written on a flip-chart. Read it aloud.
6. Leader: Take a few moments to reflect on which of these expectations are related to the mission of AFS and which are not. There are no right or wrong answers here. We would just like you to consider how you as a host family member have the potential to change the world, one participant, one community, one school at a time.
7. Refer participants to the Goals and Expectations Sheet in the Host Family Handbook.
8. Leader: Please write down at least one goal that you have for yourself between now and the time of the Post-Arrival Orientation.
9. Allow 2-3 minutes.
10. Leader: We hope that you will revisit and add to these goals throughout your AFS experience.
11. Leader: Thanks to every one of you for what you have done and for what you will do to help make this an enjoyable and enriching experience for your family and your participant. You are an integral part of AFS’ 60 year old tradition of increasing intercultural understanding and we could not accomplish our mission without you. At this time I would also like to thank my fellow volunteers for their participation in this orientation. We couldn’t accomplish our mission without you either!

Option III – Post It Notes

1. In the large group distribute 3 Post – It Notes to each person.
2. Leader: Please legibly record 1-3 expectations that you have for the experience on the Post-Its, one per card. Think of both expectations for what you would like to gain from the experience as well as challenges you may face. Allow 2-3 minutes.
3. Ask participants to place their Post-its on a wall in the room, grouping similar expectations together. Allow the group to review all of the Post-Its. Allow 5 minutes.
4. Leader: What themes did you notice?
5. Direct the group’s attention to the mission and read it aloud.
6. Leader: Take a few moments to reflect on which of these expectations are related to the mission of AFS and which are not. There are no right or wrong answers here. We would just like you to consider how you as a host family member have the potential to change the world, one participant, one community, one school at a time.
7. Refer participants to the Goals and Expectations Sheet in the Host Family Handbook.
8. Leader: Please write down at least one goal that you have for yourself between now and the time of the Post-Arrival Orientation.
9. Allow 2-3 minutes.
10. Leader: We hope that you will revisit and add to these goals throughout your AFS experience.
11. Leader: Thanks to every one of you for what you have done and for what you will do to help make this an enjoyable and enriching experience for your family and your participant. You are an integral part of AFS’ 60 year old tradition of increasing intercultural understanding and we could not accomplish our mission without you. At this time I would also like to thank my fellow volunteers for their participation in this orientation. We couldn’t accomplish our mission without you either!

Option IV – Brainstorm (condensed)

1. In a medium to large sized group conduct a brainstorming session in which participants are asked to state expectations they have for the experience. Encourage them to consider not only the positive expectations that they have for the experience, but also those expectations that might be related to some of the challenging aspects of the hosting experience. Record the positive and challenge-related expectations on separate pieces or side of the flip chart paper. Ask the group to note any themes that arise.
2. Direct the group’s attention to the mission and read it aloud. Conduct a brief discussion about which expectations are related to the mission and why/why not.
3. Refer participants to the Goals and Expectations Sheet in the Host Family Handbook. Ask participants to write down one or more goals they have for themselves or for their family between now and the Post-Arrival Orientation. Encourage them to revisit and add to these goals throughout the experience.
4. Leader: Thanks to every one of you for what you have done and for what you will do to help make this an enjoyable and enriching experience for your family and your participant. You are an integral part of AFS’ 60 year old tradition of increasing intercultural understanding and we could not accomplish our mission without you. At this time I would also like to thank my fellow volunteers for their participation in this orientation. We couldn’t accomplish our mission without you either!