AFS Student Learning Journey

Re-Entry 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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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 AFS Educational Goals for Re-Entry Orientation

PERSONAL CULTURAL
● Self-awareness ● Intercultural effectiveness
● Critical thinking
● Motivation and self-confidence
● Defining self in terms of ideals and values

INTERPERSONAL GLOBAL
GLOBAL ● Global concern
● Global understanding
● Commitment to contributing to the
world community
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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 MUSTs for the Re-Entry Orientation?
Key things to include in your orientation

#1 Reflecting on the experience abroad

#2 Discussing readjustment

#3 Focusing on future goals and further learning

#4 Offering the possibility to engage further with AFS, as

volunteers, supporters etc.
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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.
 Re-Entry Orientation
Sample Activities

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

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

You can also review the webinar on Mid-Stay

Orientation for details about some of the activities
mentioned here.

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.

 Online Re-Entry Orientation - Sample Agenda
60-90 min

10-15 MIN Greetings & Introduction

15 MIN Highlights from the Experience

30 MIN Re-entry challenges

30 MIN Your Learnings

10 MIN What’s next?

5 MIN Closing

©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. 12

 Greetings & Introduction
10 - 15 mins depending on size of group
Who is on the call? Please tell us:
● Your name
● Age
● Where did you go?
● When did you return?

©2019©2019AFSAFS
Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. Inc.
 Greetings & Introduction
10 - 15 mins depending on size of group
Our goals today are:
● To make sense of the
experience
● To link the experience with our
personal learning
● To set some goals for the future

Is there anything else you would like

to discuss?

©2019
©2019AFSAFS
Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
Inc.©2020
Inc. AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
 Greetings & Introduction
10 - 15 mins depending on size of group
Rules of engagement:
Here are some standard rules for this meeting we’d like to 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 try to
avoid distractions like having other webpages open or consulting your phone
● We are all in this together. Let’s try and keep this space friendly and
supportive.

Are there any other rules you’d like us to include? Please post them on the chat.
©2019©2019AFSAFS
Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. Inc.
 Sample Activity 1
Highlights from the experience - 15 min
Please share a “shining moment” from your AFS experience:

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Intercultural
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Programs,
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 Sample Activity 2.1
Re-entry Challenges - 30 min
What are some of the challenges you have faced upon your return?
(Guided discussion)

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Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
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 Sample Activity 2.2
Re-entry Challenges - 15 min

©2019©2019AFSAFS
Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. Inc.
 Sample Activity 2.3
Re-entry Challenges - 15 min

Transition Model (Bridges)

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©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
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 Sample Activity 3.1
Your Learnings - 30 min
Let’s discuss some of the things you’ve learned during your
intercultural journey.

- In small groups, share as many things as you have learned for

each of the following categories(5 min for each)
HOST
HOST HOST HOST
COUNTRY &
FAMILY SCHOOL COMMUNITY
CULTURE

- Debrief & share some of the things that came up with the big
group
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Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
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 Sample Activity 3.4
Your Learnings - 30 min
In small groups, each group discusses a question:
1. What is your role as a former exchange student, taking into
consideration the particular circumstances you went through?
2. Is there something you can teach or pass to future exchange
students?
3. How do you deal with frustration, anger, sadness, or difficult
emotions with situations that go beyond anyone's control?
4. How do you make the most out of your successful experiences and
learnings?
©2019
Debrief & sharing with the big group - 10 min
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Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. Inc.
 Sample Activity 4.1
What’s next? - 10 min
● “As a President or Prime Minister…” – what change would you
bring to your community and home culture?

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Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. Inc.
 Sample Activity 4.2
What’s next? - 10 min
● Is there something you learned under such a particular
situation that affects thousands of people?

● What skills did you develop or learned to use during the

difficult times?

©2019©2019AFSAFS
Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. 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

©2019©2019AFSAFS
Intercultural
Intercultural
Programs,
Programs,
©2021 AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc.
Inc. Inc.