Volunteer Opportunities
Student exchange is a once in a lifetime opportunity for teenagers between 14 and 19 years old. Cultural exchange is ideally suited to this age group; they are old enough to have some maturity to learn about differences, yet young enough to have the flexibility to live as a family member. Each Host Family / Exchange Student placement is supervised by a volunteer S.C.C.E. local Coordinator.
Betty Lane, S.C.C.E.’s Founding Director, on the Local Coordinator role:
Volunteering as a Local Coordinator could change your life!
You will be the facilitator for opening doors for teenagers in your community. Doors they didn’t even know existed. To rooms full of
- people with a different approach to life
- teenagers speaking another language
- necessities which become luxuries and vice versa
- history and literature coming alive
- unanticipated future opportunities
- dilemmas to be solved by them on their own
- great feelings of confidence and accomplishment.
You will be the curtain-raiser for local families in your community. Get them to take a look at
- bringing the family together to offer hospitality
- what your community has to offer
- other nationalities’ view of the world and Australia
- how others set priorities: education, travel, health, etc.
- different foods, philosophies, ‘manners’
- all those things shared: sports, music, school triumphs, family meals
- the need for tolerance of differences, understanding to bring about world harmony.
You will be the alchemist for a student from a particular country. You will help that overseas student become
- a global citizen of the world
- capable of modifying behaviour to please others
- a sensitive listener and learner, a ‘keen observer’
- an adventurer who decides to try new things, new ways
- a grateful member of an Australian host family.
You, the Local Coordinator, share joys of gratification from being part of a team of thousands of Local Coordinators throughout the world, sharing similar events like
- convincing neighbours to host a student from their ancestors’ region with resultant overseas trips
- making your community aware of its part in the world
- attending overseas weddings of some of your students
- using the negotiation skills you have learned
- having a returned Australian excel in studies and career
- knowing you have given something back to your community and Australia.
As a Local Coordinator you are the most vital link in the exchange experience, by providing support and guidance to Host Families and Exchange Students, including:
- Assessing a Host Family’s suitability to host.
- Easing the Host Family and Exchange Student through initial adjustment issues.
- Regular monthly contact with the Host Family.
- Regular monthly meetings with the Exchange Student.
- Guidance through problem resolution, if issues arise.
Not only will you be helping the Host Family and Exchange Student develop international understanding, tolerance and friends; you too will benefit:
- Having fun as you take your students on activities in your community and join in other S.C.C.E. activities.
- Learning about people from around the globe.
- Meeting new people and making new friends in your own neighbourhood and community, and across the world.
- Gaining satisfaction from helping solve people’s problems.
But your role doesn’t have to end there! As a local in your community you have essential knowledge that will help people experience cultural exchange.
- Help find host families, just by talking to people you see everyday.
- Get to know your local schools and ensure that Australian students are aware of overseas opportunities.
YOU can become your community’s Local Expert in cultural exchange.
Can you do this? YES! - If you have an interest in developing cultural diversity, awareness and tolerance. In fact, most Local Coordinators find the experience to be deeply rewarding personally. S.C.C.E. will train and support you through an annual training day and ongoing contact. You are volunteering your time, however S.C.C.E. does not want you to be out of pocket for expenses. You will receive a set amount to reimburse your expenses for each Exchange Student, varying for different program lengths.
Drawing upon your life experiences, combined with S.C.C.E. years in cultural exchange, you can make a real difference in your community as a S.C.C.E. Local Coordinator. |
