Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Laura, one of our wonderful International Coordinators from Nevada! Laura joined the Aspect team in 2023 and recently celebrated a huge milestone – placing her very first student for the 2024-25 school year. Laura shares the advice that’s helped her succeed, what motivates her to keep going, and the moments that inspire her as she continues to gain confidence and experience. We’re so proud to have her on the team and can’t wait to see all the incredible things she’ll accomplish!
What inspired you to become an International Coordinator?
I’ve always been fascinated by other cultures and have had dreams of international travel. I’m always trying new ethnic restaurants and watching travel shows. When I was a kid, we would take yearly trips to rural Mexico to visit my mom’s cousins. I got to see a different way of life, not just in regards to food and music, but in daily life and customs. In spite of the differences, I always felt welcomed and loved. Now, I am a mom of five adult children. When my kids were in high school, they had friends who were both exchange students and host siblings. I loved hearing about their experiences.
Then in the fall of 2021, my good friend Lisa became a host parent to a young man from Italy. We got to know him pretty well. He was an amazing kid, and they loved hosting him. He brought life and fun back into their empty nest! Fast forward a couple of years, and I was looking for part-time work that would allow me to maintain a flexible schedule. I happened across an ad on Craigslist for new coordinators. The first thing I did was call up Lisa and ask the name of her exchange organization. What do you know! It was the same one in the ad – Aspect Foundation! It was the perfect opportunity for me to help young people and nourish my love of foreign cultures.
How did you feel when you made your first placement?
It was such an amazing feeling to make my first placement! I felt like I was finally seeing the fruits of lots of hard work! It also gave me the confidence that I could do it again.
My first placement actually came as the result of a flyer I put up at Starbucks. I had met up with Lisa there to chat. I got the manager’s permission to put up a flyer on their community board, and a couple of weeks later, I received a phone call from my first host dad!
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself since becoming an International Coordinator?
I learned that I can do difficult things if I don’t give up. I had a bit of a rocky start as a coordinator. I had envisioned getting more positive responses from the get-go. Instead, it seemed that everyone I asked wasn’t ready or willing to have a new person in their home. I didn’t get any host families that first season, but I decided to host myself. I kept up my efforts the following year, even while going through a major medical crisis with my son and hosting a student. Through it all, I learned so much. I gained confidence and overcame the fear of rejection. I gained the courage to put myself out there. I know that everything I learned, I can apply to other parts of my life, not just being a coordinator.
As you continue to gain ground and experience, what motivates you to keep going?
My biggest motivation is helping our amazing students. It was such a joy to host Lucia from Italy. I want to help students like her get a great host family and have a fulfilling experience. At the end of last school year, Lucia’s natural family came for a visit. At dinner after the graduation ceremony, her dad told us that we were the perfect host family for her. Then he said we now have an Italian family. This past Christmas, we were so surprised when a big package arrived from Italy. Inside were some delicious Italian goodies and a beautiful card from her family. It was so special to know they were still thinking of us!
Currently I’m supervising Aslan from Kazakhstan. Since he is a FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange program sponsored by the Department of State) student, I get to have extra time with him during our enhancement activities and volunteering. I am amazed at how well he carries himself, the way he thinks, and his go-getter attitude. I want to give more scholarship students the chance to experience America while opening our eyes to their cultures.
Many Americans have never even heard of Kazakhstan, and I admit I was one of them. For Aslan’s birthday in November, I gave him a gift and a card expressing my appreciation for what a great job he was doing in the FLEX program. He messaged me to thank me and told me that I was part of the reason that he was doing so well. My heart almost burst!
What is your favorite memory as an International Coordinator?
In November, Aslan came to my Kiwanis Club meeting to help volunteer and stuff shoeboxes with gifts for children living in poverty. I had joined the Kiwanis Club after speaking to them about the exchange program. As we stuffed boxes, members asked him lots of questions about his experience. After we finished with the boxes, Aslan gave a great presentation about his country for International Education Week and answered many questions. I was so proud of how he interacted with these adults and taught them about his homeland! He is a wonderful ambassador for Aspect, FLEX, and his country!
Another beautiful memory is a road trip I took with Aslan to St. George, Utah. I wanted him to have the opportunity to compare notes with other exchange students for our Mid-Stay Orientation, so we joined up with International Coordinator Emily’s group of 10+ students. They had done an enhancement together in Las Vegas back in September. It was fun to see him reuniting with the other students. Besides seeing him have fun with the group and picking Emily’s brain for recruiting tips, we had some great conversations on the road. It gave me a chance to learn some really interesting things about Kazakhstan’s culture and hear his thoughts on a variety of topics. It was a great opportunity to get to know him better.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a coordinator?
First of all, don’t wait for your manager to call you. Call them first! Make a list of all your questions. Tell them your plans and your goals. Don’t worry if people that you thought would host don’t. Just keep spreading the word. Eventually, you’ll get a “yes.” Follow your manager’s advice, but don’t be afraid to try something new. You’ll never know what will work for you until you try it. Sometimes you have to force yourself to do the uncomfortable. But the more you do it, the easier it gets. For example, striking up a conversation about exchange students with the waitress or checker at the grocery store. I’ve always been a bit shy, but I’m learning to make those conversations happen more and more.
Would you also like to work with students from across the world? Join the Aspect team as an International Coordinator! 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!
