International Student Exchange (ISE)
Who is able to say their job is making dreams come true? Not many people - but you can have this opportunity today!
Who makes a great Area Representative for International Student Exchange? Someone who has a heart for teenagers, travel, culture, mission work, sports, literacy, community, the arts - and more. This program is so diverse - there is something for everyone. Retired teachers make great representatives, stay home moms are wonderful, youth workers, missionaries, anyone with a volunteer spirit, etc. The only real requirement is that you love working with teenagers.
ISE students come from all around the world with a common dream: to spend a school year (ten months) in the USA. The Area Representative is their support system, along with the host family and the school.
Area Representatives are paid throughout the school year on a bi-montly basis. Some representatives want the satisfaction of placing only one or two students while others place as many as 15-20.
Warning: It is addictive watching them fall in love with their families, make friends and succeed at school. It warms your heart when you hear years later that the host family has gone overseas to visit the student or the student has come back to the USA for a family wedding, etc. You know that you have made a difference in many lives by reaching out to families with the opportunity to host.
Training will part of the Area Representative position at various locations across the Heartland Region. Your hours can be as flexible as you need them to be.
There are two main reponsibilities for the Area Representative (AR) position:
1. Placement of the International Students. Locate the host families in your community - we are looking for families who are active in communty work, sports, school activities, theater, or church groups. Busy people make great host families because the students know that Americans are very busy people. The AR also communicates with the area high school to assure our student would be accepted to attend. We help each host family choose a student and complete the placement paperwork (this helps fulfill the US State Department rules and regulations).
2. Supervision of the International Students. The AR is the liason between the student, host family, school and International Student Exchange. In your area, we communicate through you with the international agent (we ask you questions and communicate through translators with the foreign agents). As the student's AR, you would have monthly phone conversations and bi-monthly meetings (can be as simple as going out for a Coke at McDonald's). The purpose of the meeting is to assure everything is really okay in the family and school. Bi-monthly there is a very simple online reporting procedure to assure us everything is alright for each and every student in the program.
Occasionally, if issues come up with the student, there may be a need for a conversation with all parties. This is rare - but it happens occasionally because we are human. As in all relationships, the success of the student's home stay is largely built on communication. Due to cultural differences and the "new-ness" of the family relationship - a third party is sometimes needed to settle any differences or misunderstandings. If that does happen, it's usually settled very easily with a family meeting (with AR present) around the kitchen table. Always, communcation with the regional office is mandatory after any type of meeting with the family on any "issues".
You are never "alone" so please, don't be nervous about any issues that may or may not come up. You have support in the field in the ISE Heartland Region (located in the Quad Cities) and in the ISE National office in Long Island.
We are a Business Built on Heart There is no doubt about it - this is a business built on heart. Do not hestitate to ask every one you know and meet if they might be interested or know of someone who is interested. Don't be discouraged if many people say "no". It's not for everyone but it is for many American families. Every time you hear "no", you are one step closer to hearing the "yes". We have the opportunity to change the life of a student forever – and we know the families themselves will be changed forever as well.
Earning Income Helping Students & Families Not only does ISE help students and families grow in many ways, we also help our representatives change their lives for the better – including financially. Many of us have struggled in the area of finances through the years but now we are our own boss. We can earn as little or as much as we want placing students. Do you need extra money for something special next year? I have the answer: make more dreams come true and place more kids! Call me and let’s talk about various ways to find more host families.
I know it’s not about the money for many of us – we truly love the students. Those of us who work with this non-profit organization have a heart for youth, volunteerism and community already. Many of us have worked with young people in some way for many years through the school system, mission work or youth groups. There is absolutely nothing wrong or sinful about having our finances change while we do something we are passionate about.
If extra income doesn't mean anything to you - and that is the case sometimes - just let me know if there is a non-profit organization or someone else you would like the checks to go to bi-monthly. If you would like to give to your community and do this as a volunteer, it's a great way to give to charity. What church youth group or Boy Scout troop wouldn't love to benefit from the work of an exchange representative. It's a great fund raiser and we can make those financial arrangements locally and notify the payment office in Long Island.
Call today to talk more about this opportunity! We can discuss compensation and various travel opportunties with ISE.