2024.08.24 Slides .pptx

YFU South Africa PSP Training Introductions and Welcome Saturday, 24 August  YFU South Africa PSP Training Session 1: Our Organization and Exchange Programmes Saturday, 24 August About YFU Founded in 1951 in the USA Global network of 50+ national offices...

YFU South Africa PSP Training Introductions and Welcome Saturday, 24 August  YFU South Africa PSP Training Session 1: Our Organization and Exchange Programmes Saturday, 24 August About YFU Founded in 1951 in the USA Global network of 50+ national offices 270,000 exchange students to date YFU South Africa founded in 1995 Non-profit, volunteer-driven organization Long-term, immersive, educational “YFU advances intercultural understanding, life-long learning, global competencies, mutual respect, and social responsibility through transformational educational exchanges for generations of youth, families, and communities” Global Network The YFU Exchange Programme Long-term, immersive, educational experience 6-10 months in duration (sometimes 3 months) Starts in August (and January) Students are 15-18 years old Live with a South African host family Attend a local high school (full participation) Learn the local language, experience the culture Become a global citizen, build intercultural skills Benefits of Exchange Programmes Educational Benefits Language, intercultural skills, different school Personal Benefits Independence, confidence, maturity A second home and a global network Career Benefits Language, soft skills, international experience Attend university abroad, scholarships, internships Becoming a Host Family Why do families host exchange students? Share their South African customs and family traditions Discover a new culture without leaving their home Develop intercultural skills Gain a sister or brother and friend See their daily life through different eyes Commit to intercultural understanding Prepare for their own exchange Join a global community of volunteers Host Family Requirements Household with at least 2 family members Speak one of SA’s official languages at home Provide meals and a bed for the student Adhere to YFU rules, support YFU’s vision Participate in YFU orientations Support their student in their journey Open-mindedness, love and patience Make the student a part of their family! 2024/25 Student Placements 15 students in total (4 arriving next week) From Germany (11), France (3) and Finland (1) 9 girls and 6 boys Placed in: Limpopo (5) Cape Town (3) Pretoria (3) Johannesburg (1) East London (1) Rustenburg (1) Cradock (1) The YFU Year Programme 23 Aug Students arrive 23-25 Aug Post-Arrival Orientation 26/27 Aug Host family, first day of school Nov/Dec Optional YFU trips (Cultural/ Farm Exchange) Late Jan Mid-Year Orientation Feb/Mar Namibia trip (optional) Mar/Apr Optional YFU trips (Cultural/ Farm Exchange) Late May Re-Entry Orientation 22 JuneStudents return home  Quiz 1!  YFU South Africa PSP Training Session 4: YFU Rules and Practicalities Sunday, 27 August The YFU Student Rules 1. School: attendance, performance, conduct 2. Language: Expectation to learn 3. Travelling: When, with whom, travel form 4. Money: Personal expenses, borrowing 5. Alcohol & drugs: SA law 6. Medical insurance: Coverage, claims process 7. Pregnancy: Early return 8. Dangerous activities: Insurance, parental consent The YFU Student Rules (2) 9. Phone & internet use: Should be limited 10.Contact with NP: Should be limited 11.Visits from NP: Only at end of programme 12.Extension of stay: Not possible for >2 weeks 13.Host family change: Only as last resort! 14.Host family rules: Apply in addition to YFU rules 15.South African laws: Apply in addition to YFU rules 16.Personal conduct: Be an Ambassador! What if Students Break Rules? First strike: Letter of Encouragement (optional) Second strike: Warning Letter Third strike: Involuntary Early Return  Mediation and support, opportunity to address issues, clear recommendations! Additional disciplinary measures: By the school By the host family  YFU remains in close contact with school and HF! (In)Voluntary Early Return Reasons for an Early Return: Student wants to return home (voluntarily) Violation of South African law Expulsion from school Repeated breaking of YFU, HF or school rules (after warning letters have been issued) Racism, sexism, discrimination, hate speech Pregnancy, serious medical condition Termination of YFU programme by Global Office THANK YOU!  YFU South Africa PSP Training Sunday, 21 August, 10:00 Racism and Discrimination Racial divide and conflict in South Africa Racial references embedded in everyday language Wealth gap, poverty and inequality Students may experience/ witness racism at school Racial remarks by host families  HF sign agreement to support YFU values! Racism vs stereotyping Consider and discuss: How does this affect the student and their exchange experience? How does this affect YFU? Mental Health Mental health challenges among youth are on the rise Impact of Covid-19 Depression, anxiety, eating disorders… Loss of loved one, family problems back home… Exchange tends to amplify pre-existing conditions New conditions may develop during exchange Often difficult to spot the symptoms Students might struggle to express their feelings YFU cannot provide professional counselling Students should return home and get professional treatment Exchange is not a substitute for therapy – on the contrary! LGBTIQ+ Increasing visibility and awareness of diversity re gender and sexual orientation SA is still relatively conservative society Students might be hesitant to disclose their gender and sexual orientation (before and during exchange) Students might experience/ witness discrimination LGBTIQ+ students might struggle to adapt and fit in This can lead to mental illness, depression etc. Stronger need for support, possible HF change YFU stands for inclusivity and tolerance, both with regard to students and host families! Sexual Harassment and Abuse Exchange students are vulnerable in a variety of ways Perceptions of personal space and boundaries Desire to fit in, to adapt to ‘touchy’ culture Language barrier, fear of offending others Harassment/ abuse usually happens within family/ community Harassment: Grooming, inappropriate comments…  Report to YFU, offer joint support, discuss way forward Abuse: Physical assault, any sexual act without consent  Obligation to report! Remove student! Professional counselling to be offered, consider early return. Crises and emergencies First step: Determine whether the issue at hand is an emergency and requires urgent action. If in doubt, rather over-communicate! Medical emergency: Inform PSP coordinator and YFU office immediately. Student has broken rules: Inform PSP coordinator and PSP buddy. YFU Office to be informed by PSP coordinator. Sexual abuse or harassment: Inform PSP coordinator and YFU office immediately. Reporting to police may be legally required. Student wants to change HF: Inform PSP coordinator and PSP buddy. YFU Office to be informed by PSP coordinator, if necessary.  For medical emergencies or cases of sexual abuse, always inform the PSP coordinator and/ or office via a phone call – not WhatsApp or email! YFU 24 hour emergency number: +27 84 715 6373 PSP Tips and Admin Primary contact person: Vuyo Maqubela Emergency contact: Lena Gronbach Maintain frequent contact with your PSP buddy Use WhatsApp group for PSP-related communication In-person meetings, video calls and voice notes for monthly check-in with student/ HF - WhatsApp chats are NOT enough! Communicate pro-actively with your student/ HF and with YFU, ask for help if needed! Claim for PSP-related expenses (transport, data, coffee), make sure to keep receipts, send to [email protected] Create a ‘PSP calendar’ with dates for check-ins and messages Communication in YFU Student PSP Host Family Natural Em ber num erg PSP Parents Coordinato enc r y YFU Office in Home YFU SA Country Office THANK YOU!