Student country calls by program
From AFSWiki
Contents |
Country Conference Calls – An Introduction
Students going abroad on year, semester and short summer programs participate in hour-long conference calls; each of which presents country-specific information to future AFSers. The calls also provide the participants with a forum to ask questions about the specific program and country, as well as a chance to speak with other participants going abroad on the same program(s). Each call features at least one “cultural resource”, who has knowledge of the country and who has experienced living in that country for a significant period of time. Each call is organized and facilitated by an AFS staff advisor, who is responsible for reserving conference bridges, scheduling webinars, contacting cultural resources, inviting cultural resources and student participants for each call and facilitating the call. The conference calls are offered with the hope that students who participate in them will feel better prepared for the cultural realities of the hosting country once they arrive. The goal of these supplemental country specific calls is to improve the participant’s experience and the level of confidence that hosting partner countries have in the AFS-USA sending orientation process.
The important part of the calls is to ensure that participants are getting applicable information about their destination and participants are asked to come prepared with questions for cultural resources. It is important for facilitator to research cultural differences prior to call and to customize questions a bit can make calls educational and run smooth. Being knowledgeable about cultural differences that sets the given country apart from others and cultural resources addressing these topics are key elements to call discussions.
Statistics regarding the Calls
A total of approximately 19 calls are conducted in the SH cycle and around 72 calls in the NH cycle. A significant effort is made to ensure that all participants leaving on these programs are able to participate in at least one call. The average attendance rate has continuously increased since the calls were first begun with the SH09 cycle. Webinar meeting and call bridge processes are used and overall, it seems that it is more effective to use webinar participant invitation emails to invite participants to join a call, rather than just send them invitations via regular e-mail. With smaller programs it is also beneficial to call each participant if needed and make sure that the appointed time and date for the call will work for everyone.
- SH09: 32% attendance
- NH09: 42% attendance
Participants (Students and Returnees) and Organizing the Calls
Organizing the calls is simple. For larger programs, 1-2 different call dates and times are offered. The participants are sent an invitation (using GoToWebinar.com) via e-mail announcing the calls, which include information about the calls and how to register to participate. Upon receipt of a message with this information, the facilitator – an AFS staff advisor – then sends the participant information about how to access the call via a toll-free number. All returnees from last 2 years prior are emailed about the opportunity to attend the calls as a cultural resource (panelist) and information about the call conversation is included. Cultural resources are screened by facilitator prior to selection as a panelist. All registered participants (students and cultural resources) receive an email reminders to ensure good attendance. During the call, the facilitator will welcome each participant to the call, take attendance, introduce the cultural resource(s) and prompt discussion/ask the cultural resource(s) questions about the country when needed. The cultural resource guest speaker(s) are a very important component to each call. Some calls feature one cultural resource and many calls feature two cultural resources (one male and one female from same or similar length program as registered participants whenever possible). In preparation for the call, each cultural resource is sent a letter of introduction and also a list of topics that could be discussed during the call.
Benefits of the Country Calls to Students, Returnees and AFS
It is beneficial for students to engage with two cultural resources during the call rather than one. Calls featuring two cultural resources are more dynamic and interesting, and also provide more than one perspective on the host country. Ideally, each call should feature 3 cultural resources: an AFS staff member (facilitator), a recent returnee and a native of the host country (hosted student). Calls for the smaller programs makes it possible for the facilitator to take a more active role to ensure that all are present during the call, attendance rates are good and participants feel more at ease to ask questions and participate. Reminding all students, whether they will attend or not, the day before the call improves attendance. Pairing returnees from same year abroad make the calls interesting. They have an existing rapport and several have maintained contact. Returnees are also excited to be talking to each other and sharing their experiences with students on calls.
Country conference call sessions are wonderful orientations that allow participants to prepare emotionally and logistically for their upcoming experience. Participants are grateful for the opportunity to speak directly with someone who can not only offer an inside look, but also have a parliamentary introduction to each other. Participants also often exchange Facebook information and email addresses with each other and with cultural resources, allowing for prolonged conversation and support resources. Participants are generally pleased to be invited to an AFS conference call. Pairing returnees from same year abroad make the calls interesting. They have an existing rapport and several have maintained contact. Returnees are also excited to be talking to each other and sharing their experiences with students on calls. These calls are also a valuable addition to the orientation process. Returnees continually comment that they would like to have had the same opportunity when they were preparing to go abroad and are interested in helping AFS again.
Host Country Info Sessions - Summer/Fall 2011
We are expanding the country conference call model this year and will be offering more of them, covering various topics, earlier in the cycle. We're beginning by offering a call for applicants whose app is in Created or Preparing status. The intent is to encourage students to finish their applications and submit them as soon as possible. Also, we hope to provide them with a little added support and continue building a relationship with their Application Advisor. We anticipate speaking with students who are on the fence, or those who are having difficulties finalizing their application due to logistics or parental concerns, and hope that a facilitated discussion with their peers may give them that extra push they need.
We are striving to have this call student focused, with a small outline of specific points that we want to facilitate (i.e. Common Concerns, Academic Credit, Fundraising, etc). An email invitation was sent Friday afternoon, March 4, 2011, with all the details and phone numbers, and instructions on when and how to join the call.
Below you will find each call (organized by group of countries and Application Advisor) and the phone number to call for that group (in addition to the pass code).
THURSDAY - MARCH 10 at 5PM - PST
Switzerland, Austria, and Germany - Walter - ph: 1.570.319.0137 - Code 7878#
Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, and Spain - Colleen - ph: 1.570.781.0136 - Code 6545#
France and French Speaking Belgium - Zoe - ph: 1.570.684.0105 - Code 600888#
India, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, Ghana, and China - Heather - 1.570.319.0158 - Code 1122#
Argentina (Year, Semester, and Summer) - Jessy - 1.570.563.6316 - Code 2345#
MONDAY - MARCH 14 at 5PM - PST
Italy - Walter - ph: 1.570.319.0137 - Code 7878#
Norway, Finland, Sweden - Colleen - ph: 1.570.781.0136 - Code 6545#
Belgium Flanders, Denmark, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary - Zoe - ph: 1.570.684.0105 - Code 600888#
Portugal, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru - Jessy - 1.570.563.6316 - Code 2345#
Japan (Semester and Summer) - Heather - 1.570.319.0158 - Code 1122#
