What does EF Foundation do? EF Foundation is an organisation dedicated to improving international relations through educational and cultural exchange. It offers students from over twenty countries the chance to study and live in the UK for a complete academic year. Where are EF Foundation students from? Students from the following countries are taking part in the EF Foundation programme: Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Ecuador, Finland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Venezuela and Vietnam. All students undergo a rigorous selection process including individual and group interviews. They are selected for their academic record, their maturity and motivation. They are aged between 16 and 18 and are all taken care of by EF Foundation. Students give a lot to the community in which they live – sharing their culture as much as they can. Families and schools participating in the exchange have found it to be a rewarding experience year after year. Who are EF Foundation families? The family/student relationship differs vastly from that of the summer vacation-study student or paying guest. EF Foundation families host their chosen student on an entirely family orientated basis. A Foundation student usually becomes a new family member – taking part in all activities and adapting to new family life. For the host family, it’s like having a new (or first) son or daughter. They choose their student carefully, plan their arrival and provide them with a bed and a place at their table. In this way an enduring relationship develops between the host family and the student. Foundation host families are very different and very special and are highly valued by the entire Foundation team. To help with the weekly food bill, EF Foundation contributes £200 for the FIRST student, then an additional £150 for a second student, making a total if you double host of £350 pm.

EF is seeking International Exchange Co-ordinators in Wales.

The role of an IEC includes:

• recruiting and selecting suitable host families,
• arranging school places and monitoring the student’s progress over the academic year
• supporting the students and their host families
• Administration and basic paperwork

IECs receive generous expenses, and ongoing training is provided, with several training sessions held throughout the year in key towns. An annual IEC meeting is held, to which all field staff are invited. The EF Foundation offers a comprehensive support network and IECs have 24-hour access to the Head office.
There is also an incentives and awards scheme for IECs .

If you would like more information, please call freephone 0800 389 5850 or 01424 423998, or contact Simon Clark at: EF Foundation, First Floor, 17 Havelock Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1BP

REWARDS

·       Meeting wonderful people and forming lasting friendships! 

·         Meeting students from around the world and learning about their hopes in this country, their culture and families at home

·         Having contact with schools and forming good relationships with teachers

AND MORE REWARDS…

·         Being an active community member and doing something positive for the local area.

·         Contact with staff in Hastings and meeting colleagues from all around the UK on training courses.  It creates a bond when you’re all trying to achieve the best.

·         Introducing a student to the British way of life – and having that taken around the world!

CHALLENGES

·         Receiving many telephone calls as a result of an advertisement or newspaper article – they don’t always end up as a host family

·         Placements that fall through… frustrating! A positive outlook helps !

·         Despite all their preparation, sometimes a student’s expectations are different to the reality.  This can lead to problems or complaints that need to be worked through with IECs help.

·         Not being able to resolve a situation between a student and host family which results in the student having to be moved.

·         Occasionally incorrect information on the student dossier. The student puts their best foot forward, which may not always be realistic.

·         Preparing for student departure after having become attached to them as their IEC, their counselor, their confidante.