Monthly Address

4/18/2010

Hello everyone,

Spring is in full swing and isn’t it grand??

We are definitely on the home stretch of this cycle. Each year at this time, we have the Re-entry Orientation about the 3^rd w/e of April, as mandated by the State Department. ALL students must be in attendance at this orientation, it is not optional!!! It is the final orientation and one in which we prepare students to return home again. We review the year, students’ growth, perspectives, highlights, and touch on the real challenge of reverse culture shock…going home and adjusting all over again. We hope to inspire students to stay involved with YFU to keep the energy going. We wanted to do an overnight but in the end, the camp was not negotiable on the cost of the cabins for our nonprofit group. Although this year, the cost is prohibitive, we hope to do so next year, however. We will be providing lunch at the orientation, but students should eat breakfast before arriving. We encourage parents to be on hand for the optional parent session on Sat afternoon to talk about closure (packing, extension of stay expectations, time after school is out, end of school activities, graduation, parties, the final goodbye, etc).

 It is important for all students to understand that their role as an ambassador continues right up to flight time. While we realize how difficult it must be to stay the course in terms of academic achievement and personal discipline, it is so very important to maintain our family, volunteer, school and community relationships. This experience is fading into completion, but the hopeful students whose profiles are arriving weekly for the next cycle, depend on the current students to keep the light burning so that they too, will have the same opportunity to experience life as an exchange student here in the USA.

Prom, the American spring social ritual, is an indelible memory no matter how it turns out. To make it more affordable for an exchange student, please remember that it does not have to be excruciatingly expensive. Many ways to cut down on the costs, include borrowing formal attire, doing a potluck dinner in a group at a host family home, transportation via large vehicles in a group with host family as drivers rather than a limousine, making your own corsages from flowers in the garden, a suit instead of a tux, etc. Most families of high school girls have multiple formal gowns and many in the past have been willing to loan a dress to an exchange student. Be creative and novel. The important thing is to enjoy the moment within safe parameters, to be respectful and compliant. Students who do not go later regret it. Go in a group if you don’t have a date. This can be even more enjoyable, as it takes some of the tension away from the nite.

Twins baseball game is coming up May 9^th. Yes it is Mother’s Day and the Susan G Kommen Race for The Cure Event. It is possible to celebrate all three. But, the tickets have sold out. Nearly 200 folks are going to represent YFU USA at this year’s group outing!  Tickets have not yet arrived, but I expect them next week and will be mailed out or handed to students at the Re-entry Orientation on Sat, April 24^th.

Above all, please keep in mind what a challenging job it is to coordinate, support and work with this many students, families, school, and partners from all over the world. It is an exhaustive labor of love. Anyone who would like to make constructive suggestions or help in any way is welcome to do so.

Finally, we have many students from all over the world who are eagerly awaiting information on the new host family for their August arrival. Please peek at new student profiles. If you see someone who intrigues you, please contact me for the full bio detail. Please consider hosting again because each experience can be so enriching.

Enjoy this beautiful weather and the time remaining in this experience.

Have a great Spring Break!

Betsy Kiefer, Field Director-Greater Mpls

28150 Boulder Bridge Drive

Excelsior, Mn. 55331

612-298-9987 – cell

952-474-4460 – office

kiefer@yfu.org