Meet Emily, one of our fantastic International Coordinators in Utah! Emily joined the Aspect team in 2020 and has supervised nearly 40 students! Emily loves making a real difference in the lives of both the host families and students. From exploring national parks with her students to sharing the thrill of snowboarding with them, she always ensures a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Emily shares her recruitment strategy and what she loves most about being an International Coordinator!
Why did you become an International Coordinator?
I was drawn to the role of an International Coordinator due to my deep affection for working with children, particularly those of the international adolescent demographic. I truly enjoy learning about the unique connections forged between exchange students and their host families. Most of the students become a part of the family and it’s so awesome to watch and neat to see how much they care about each other. I have one student who is flying back to stay with her host parents from last year and they were extremely close. I love to see those connections and for things to be exactly the way we know it can be.
What’s your favorite memory while supervising?
Last year we went as a group with my students to various national parks over the course of three days. This exceptional group of students shared an effortless camaraderie, they got along so well. We had so much fun together. There was lots of singing and laughter. We will always remember this trip we had together.
My family and I also love to snowboard so we take whoever wants to join us. I actually have two students who live in Beaver, and there’s a ski resort there. Sometimes we’ll meet up and it’s very fun. It’s a great way to get to know my kids. In January, I rented a cabin and brought some of my students. We all went snowboarding together and it was really fun. Afterwards, we all played board games and drank hot chocolate.
How did your daughter react to your exchange students?
My daughter’s funny because sometimes she likes to hang out with the exchange students, sometimes she doesn’t. But with the exchange students my family is hosting, she always makes a special bond with them. When she graduates high school this summer, we’re going to send her to Europe. She’s going to spend one week at a house in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy to visit all the exchange students our family has hosted! Everybody’s all for it. I’ve already talked to all the parents and they think it would be great.
My daughter actually asked out my Spanish exchange student to senior prom. She broke up with her boyfriend in January and she’s like, “I just don’t want to go with any guys at school.” I told her, “Well, ask out an exchange student!”
There is also a Korean boy from another organization. I made friends with his coordinator, and she only has two students. She asked that if we ever get together with all the students, if I can invite her, and so of course! Because the more the merrier. So my daughter’s friend is going to ask the Korean boy. They’re going to take two exchange students to the senior ball together.
What’s your strategy for recruiting host families?
For smaller towns like Beaver, I’m really trying to get to know the people. I drove up last weekend and went to one of their events and handed out flyers and talked to people. Usually everybody knows who everybody is, so I talked to people that way and then I post online a lot. But I also call past host parents, and usually they know somebody or have talked to somebody. If their exchange students is really outgoing, they usually spend time with a friend’s family, and it makes them really interested in hosting.
What do you love about being an International Coordinator?
My regular job is just kind of repetitive. I feel like with being an International Coordinator, I’m actually making a difference and I’m changing the lives of the host parents. They have a really great experience with these kids. I really want my exchange students to go home and just say, “Man, that was so great!” If they only have 10 months to do this, I always tell them that’s it’s your experience and you know what memories you want to make. For the most part, I’ve had really good students too. It has always been my dream to explore different cultures and customs around the globe. I believe that working as an International Coordinator presents an unparalleled opportunity to fulfill this aspiration.
Would you also like to work with students from across the world? We are always looking for great candidates in many communities, large and small, across the U.S. For more information about the International Coordinator position and how to apply check out our website!
