Friday, April 13, 2007
Wanted: Foreign Exchange Students
Dear Guidance Guy,
I recently got a job where I promote community service trips to Costa Rica to high school students. I was an exchange student myself when I was 17 and the experience truly changed my life.
I live in Birmingham, Alabama and know very little about the school system (I'm Canadian) but I have tried to contact either teachers or guidance counselors via regular mail and email (and lots of phone calls) with very little luck.
I really think this is a great opportunity for kids to be able to go to a foreign country and experience a different culture and way of life, while helping the local community's progress.
Is there any advice you can give me as to how to reach the right person in the high school? or how to approach them? or how to reach the kids otherwise?
I really appreciate any help you can give me. You can check out the company's webpage at www.goearthtreks.com and see the programs we offer.
Thanks In Advance,
Isabel Morales
*** *** ***
Dear Isabel,
Guidance counselors and teachers typically are so busy with other things they don't spend a lot of time on issues such as foreign exchange programs. Of course there are exceptions, but as you're finding out they are few and far between.
It would be a good idea to go directly to either principals or student activities directors. Many schools have a teacher or other faculty who also doubles as the person in charge of student activities. This would be a great way to get the word out to kids about the opportunities in your program.
Another option that might work (although more time consuming... see if schools will let you set up a table during lunch time, or at an evening function such as an awards night or college fair. You'll have many eyes passing right in front of your display. And you're bound to have some curious kids and parents. You might even ask a social studies or teacher of another language if they'd like you to come in and share their experiences.
Hope That Helps,
The Guidance Guy
I recently got a job where I promote community service trips to Costa Rica to high school students. I was an exchange student myself when I was 17 and the experience truly changed my life.
I live in Birmingham, Alabama and know very little about the school system (I'm Canadian) but I have tried to contact either teachers or guidance counselors via regular mail and email (and lots of phone calls) with very little luck.
I really think this is a great opportunity for kids to be able to go to a foreign country and experience a different culture and way of life, while helping the local community's progress.
Is there any advice you can give me as to how to reach the right person in the high school? or how to approach them? or how to reach the kids otherwise?
I really appreciate any help you can give me. You can check out the company's webpage at www.goearthtreks.com and see the programs we offer.
Thanks In Advance,
Isabel Morales
*** *** ***
Dear Isabel,
Guidance counselors and teachers typically are so busy with other things they don't spend a lot of time on issues such as foreign exchange programs. Of course there are exceptions, but as you're finding out they are few and far between.
It would be a good idea to go directly to either principals or student activities directors. Many schools have a teacher or other faculty who also doubles as the person in charge of student activities. This would be a great way to get the word out to kids about the opportunities in your program.
Another option that might work (although more time consuming... see if schools will let you set up a table during lunch time, or at an evening function such as an awards night or college fair. You'll have many eyes passing right in front of your display. And you're bound to have some curious kids and parents. You might even ask a social studies or teacher of another language if they'd like you to come in and share their experiences.
Hope That Helps,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 11:46 AM
