Important Information from Sponsored Programs
From AFSWiki
I would like to share an update with you on our Sponsored Programs placement progress and bring to your attention some special considerations that pertain to placing YES students moving forward.
First some good news! As of today the combined placement percentage of our 3 Sponsored Programs (YES, FLEX and CB) is actually tracking slightly ahead of our Core students at 52%! We are well on our way! Of the 3 programs, the placement progress of the YES students is tracking the furthest behind, at 46%. However, given the addition of 50 more YES students this year we are still making good progress. While recruitment for YES students can at times be challenging, they are some of our very best students. Thank you for all of the work you have put into finding so many families for them already.
As you know, this year not only did we increase the number of YES students we host, but also the number of countries from which they arrive. In addition to our original 12 YES Partner counties, we have added 27 new Partner countries! Most notable is Pakistan, which now represents our largest Partner with 32 students who are set to begin their exchange year with us in August. This increased country diversity enhances the types of experiences we can offer our host families and helps further expand the understanding between the Muslim world and the U.S.
As we get to know our new Partner countries, we need to be aware that many are more culturally conservative than some of the Partners countries to whom we are accustomed. Specifically, in several countries including Pakistan, it is culturally inappropriate for teenagers of the opposite sex who are not related to one another to be in close contact. As a result of these cultural sensitivities, several of our new Partner countries have asked that we not place their female students in families with a host brother over the age of 13. They have also asked that we make the same considerations for their male students, and not place them in families with host sisters over the age of 13.
While there is no official regulation prohibiting us from placing students in these situations, it is a highly sensitive issue for many of our new Partners. In specific situations, we may ask for an exception to these conditions. This type of request must be handled similar to the nontraditional placements in which we ask for natural family approval. However, please understand that it is very unlikely that students and natural families from these countries will accept such a request, and therefore we need to set realistic expectations with any potential host families.
As a way to accommodate this request, when talking with families about choosing a student to host, a good strategy would be to show Muslim girls to families without teenage boys ~ and show Muslim boys to families without teenage girls. This “tip” of the day is obvious, but not always top of mind. While we recognize this may restrict the number of families who may host these students,, we appreciate your sensitivity to this matter and additional efforts. Hopefully, this practice will make placements at the end of July and into August much easier as the pool of host families and students becomes narrower.
Should you have questions about placing Muslim students in households with teenagers over the age of 13 of the opposite sex, please contact your AFS Hosting Coordinator for discussion.
Best,
Patti Davis Director, Inbound Sponsored Programs
