AFS Student Learning Journey

Arrival Orientation

TOOLKIT FOR AFS FACILITATORS

March 2021

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

Instructions for using this Toolkit
● You can literally copy-paste some of our slides to run your
orientation, and we have embedded plenty of links for you to make
them interactive and engaging. Please make sure they are only used
within an AFS context.

● The sample slides are mostly for visuals. The step-by-step and
facilitator instructions for each activity are in the speaker notes.

● If delivering the orientation online, make sure to test the

presentation, video and the audio in advance.
 Background &
General Recommendations

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. 3

 The Upgraded AFS Student Learning Journey
AN ENHANCED CURRICULUM
As of 2021, the AFS Student Learning Journey now includes an online
educational component for all high school study abroad program
participants.

Coming together virtually as global groups of students, guided by trained

facilitators, this new aspect of the program will complement and enhance
the Orientations and Monthly Reflections that happen at the local level.

The SLJ Online Curriculum (SLJ 2.0) includes content developed in

collaboration with in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s
Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS).

This component advances the way we prepare students to practice social

impact and return home to become active global citizens with the
essential global skills they need to live, learn, work and volunteer to
contribute to society and change the world.

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 The Upgraded AFS Student Learning Journey
BEFORE DURING AFTER
Monthly Contact & Learning Reflections
SENDING PARTNER

Arrival
Orientation

Post-Arrival Mid-Stay End of Stay

Orientation Orientation Orientation
HOSTING PARTNER

Pre-Departure
Orientation Re-Entry
Orientation
INTERNATIONAL

SLJ Advanced (optional) SLJ Advanced (optional)

Discovery Modules Develop Modules
SLJ 2.0 SLJ 2.0 SLJ 2.0
Discovery Modules Develop Modules Debrief Modules
 Learning Objectives for
SLJ Online Curriculum
This new content enhances the global realm of AFS Educational Goals and introduces skills
for students to engage with the community and practice taking action while on the program.
If you want to familiarize yourself with the online content, you can find an overview here.

PERSONAL GROWTH

CO-CREATING WITH OTHERS

UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

TAKING ACTION

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 AFS Educational Goals for
Arrival Orientation
PERSONAL CULTURAL
● Motivation and self-confidence ● Building intercultural friendship
● Defining self in terms of ideals
and values

INTERPERSONAL
GLOBAL
● Empathy

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 MUSTs for the Arrival Orientation?
Key things to include in your orientation
Make students feel welcomed into their new environment and part of the
#1 AFS community.

#2 To reassure the student about immediate concerns.

#3 Provide a survival kit – information on personal safety and wellbeing.

#4 Clarify how students can ask for help – who to contact and when.

#5 Instill enthusiasm and confidence in the student for a great

start to an amazing exchange
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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 4 Key Things to Remember

#1 Students may be very tired, excited and even jet-lagged so their attention
span and ability to comprehend new ideas might be limited.

#2
It is vital that facilitators leading orientations to work closely with AFS
staff in order to address any concerns related to logistics (i.e. departure
times, quarantines etc.) and discuss the AFS protocols for addressing
these.

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 4 Key Things to Remember

#3 Students have not been exposed to much local culture yet, so discussions
about culture should be limited to their first impressions.

#4 Try to keep sessions simple, practical and relevant for the first few weeks
of the students’ experience.

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 Tips for running orientations online
● Remember, less is more: Things are likely to take twice as long to
complete online. Prioritise and be realistic.
● Be very explicit about your instructions and specify the length of time
to complete each task.
● Insert times for students and families to interact and provide
feedback.
● Try to avoid being exclusively task oriented. This is a hard time for
everyone and people are likely to want to discuss their situation and
share with others.
● Zoom is only as good as its user, so learn about best practices and a
few tricks for facilitators. Some of the proposed activities suggest you
divide people into sub-groups. Find out how to do that here.
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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 Arrival Orientation
Face-to-face Sample Activities

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Preparation
Before you begin…
Make sure you are familiar with the Arrival section
in the AFS Student Learning Journey Curriculum.

You can also review the webinar on Arrival

Orientation for details about some of the activities
mentioned here.

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 AFS Arrival Orientation: Sample Agenda
DAY 1 DAY 2

Welcome & aims of the Rules and Safety

orientation

Thermometer Survival kit for the local culture

Connect yourself
First Impression
Goals
Expectations

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 Thermometer

GLOBAL

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 First impressions snaps
1. Individually, browse your phone
for a picture of the last week that
you would like to share with
others. The picture should capture
something that surprised you, that
was new to you or that you were
impressed by.
2. In pairs, show the picture you
selected and why you chose it.
3. Group sharing & discussion.

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 First impressions discussion
In small groups, share how the first few weeks in the host country have
gone. You may focus on the following areas:
● Family: Structure and dynamics, what the rules of the house are, etc.
● School: What the first day was like, transport, books, uniform
● Local community: The neighborhood where they live, nearby
businesses, what they can do, where they can go.

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Connect yourself: AFS Superpowers

PERSONAL INTERCULTURAL

INTERPERSONAL GLOBAL

EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 AFS Superpowers: discussion

1. Have your perceptions about the Superpowers

changed in the last few weeks?

2. Which superpowers you would like to further develop

in the short (next weeks or couple of months) and
long-term (by the end of the experience).

3. Who can help them make sure you develop them?

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Arrival Orientation
Online Sample Activities

*see this site for more virtual tools

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Preparation
Before you begin…
You can share in advance this activity worksheet
with students so that they start reflecting on some
of the topics the orientation will cover.
These can be sent to students alongside the
invitation to attend the online meeting, as a way to
prepare for it.
Please create a copy and translate/adapt to your
own realities.

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 Online Arrival Orientation - Sample Agenda
120 min or could be split into two 60 min sessions

15 MIN Welcome & Introductions

10 MIN Check-in
15 MIN First Impressions
20 MIN Rules, Safety and Tips
15 MIN Asking for help

10MIN Goals
5 MIN Closing & next steps

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. 22

 Greetings & Intros
Who is on the call? Please tell us
● Your name
● Where you are currently
● And one of the following:
- One funny thing that you have experienced or seen in the last week.
- What was your highlight/ your favourite thing that happened last
week
- What is something that surprised you in the last week?

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 Greetings & Intros

Let’s review our goals for today

● To reflect on your first impressions of life in
the host country and to address related
questions or concerns.
● To review what is expected of you as an
AFSer and what you can expect from AFS
● To provide you with some tips and tools
help you adjust to school and family life in
the coming weeks
● To reflect on your goals for the experience.
Is there anything else you would like to discuss?

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 Greetings & Intros

Let’s agree on rules of engagement

Here are some standard rules for this meeting we propose:
● What is shared in this group, stays in the group.
● Respect each other’s opinion, while you don’t have to agree, everyone’s
point of view is valid and every experience is unique.
● We encourage you to actively listen. This is even harder to do online so
avoid distractions like having other web-pages open or checking your
phone.
● We are all in this together. Let’s try and keep this space friendly and
supportive and brave.

Are there any other rules you’d like us to include? Post them on the chat.
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 Check-in - Mood Barometer

Let’s share:
On a scale of 1-5, how are you feeling today?:
● About your travel
● About your new community
● About your host-family
● In general

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 Check-in - What’s on top?

Let’s share
1. What is “on-top” for you, what are you spending most of your time
thinking about? What are you most concerned or happy about?

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 First Impressions

Let’s share:
● What are your first impressions of the
host-country?
● What has surprised you?
● What was the best piece of advice
you were given before you traveled?
● Do you have any questions about
behaviors you have seen, like,
“Why do they do xyz? “

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 First impressions snaps

1. Have a look through the pictures

everyone shared.
2. Take turns, describing the picture
you selected and why you chose it.
3. Group reflection.

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Rules and Safety - Quiz

Given the rules that we have provided to you ahead of time in your
welcome pack or booklet...

Let’s play:
● Go to https://kahoot.it/
● Enter Game pin XXXX
● Let’s see who our rule master is?

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 Rules and Safety

The safety and well-being of participants is AFS’ top priority.

Let’s brainstorm:
● What AFS rules are you expected to follow?
● What kinds of expectations might your host family have of you?
● What kinds of expectations might your school and teacher have of
you?

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 Rules and Safety

Here are some areas that can get students in challenging situations.
Let’s discuss:

● Relevant local laws,

● Cultural attitudes and common behaviors around alcohol and
smoking,
● Other health and safety issues within the host culture.

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 Asking for help

Let’s brainstorm:
● Where could you get
reliable information if
you need help?
● Who can support you if
you get into a difficult
situation?
● How can you stay safe and well
in your new local community?

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 Connect yourself: AFS Superpowers

PERSONAL INTERCULTURAL

INTERPERSONAL GLOBAL

EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Closing

Thank you for participating to this session!

● The next steps for us are xxx
● If you have any further questions or comments please contact
xxx

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
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