The document provides an overview of ASSE (American Scandinavian Student Exchange), who they serve, their programs, compensation details for area representatives, and responsibilities of area representatives. Key points: - ASSE was established in 1976 and works with the US Dept of State, Canadian provinces, and NZ Ministry of Education to organize student exchanges. - ASSE serves over 30,000 high school students annually from Europe, former Soviet states, Middle East, East Asia, Australia, NZ, S. America, and Canada. - Area representatives are compensated for recruiting host families and students, with payment installments throughout the school year. - Responsibilities include finding host families and schools, orient

1. Welcome to the ASSE Area
Representative Overview
ASSE International
Eastern Region

2. Who Is ASSE?
• ASSE was established in 1976 as the
American Scandinavian Student Exchange
by the Swedish Government to organize
student exchange programs between
Sweden and the United States.
• At present, ASSE works closely with the
US Department of State, the Canadian
provincial education ministries and is
approved by the Ministry of
Education in New Zealand.

3. Who Do We Serve?
• Since its establishment, ASSE’s program
includes students from: Europe, former
Soviet States, the Middle East, East Asia,
Australia, New Zealand, South America and
Canada.
• At present, ASSE maintains 38 offices in 31
countries around the world. It
accommodates over 30,000 high school age
students and host families annually.

4. Who Are ASSE Students?
• ASSE students are high school age students
that are 15-18.5 years of age.
• They are excited about the possibilities
around them to try new things and to
experience the world in new ways.

5. A Team Effort: You Are Not Alone
• Hanna Mesfin, Assistant Regional Director
• Holly Brown, Regional Director
• Area Coordinators:
– Pamela Stafford (AL, MS, TN)
– Debbie Stem (AR, FL, GA, LA, KY, SC)
– Whitney Oosting (West MI)
– Teresa Weyer (East MI)
– Kira Figg (VA, DC, MD, PA, DE, NJ, WV, NY, NC and
New England)

6. Programs to the USA
• Semester (5 months): includes monthly
contact and 2 group activities
• Academic Year (10 months): includes
monthly contact and 3 group activities

7. Compensation
• Compensation for your services will be payable as
follows:
– Outbound student orientation and recruitment:
• $600 for each student who is accepted and
participates in an ASSE outbound program.
Reimbursement will be paid in the month
following departure.
– Host Family recruitment, orientation and
supervision (Semester and Year Students):
• $700 - $1050 per student depending on country
of origin, gender, and program of participation.

8. Compensation
Host Family Recruitment and Orientation/Inbound
Student Supervision
• In order to help defray any and all costs, ASSE
will pay you as per the following schedule:
Total
Reimbursement
Initial Payment
Mid-Year
Payment
Final Payment
Semester Student
Female $700 $250 $450 -
Male $750 $300 $450 -
Year Student
Female $700 $250 $225 $225
Male $750 $300 $225 $225
Student from Asia
(China, Hong Kong,
Korea, Taiwan,
Thailand), Brazil,
France, Mexico
Female $900 $450 $225 $225
Male $950 $500 $225 $225
FLEX/YES
Cluster Leader*
Female $1000 $450 $225 $225 + $100
Male $1050 $500 $225 $225 + $100

9. Compensation
• Stipend Schedule
– Stipends will be made in 3 installments:
• The first will be paid upon the receipt of all
required paperwork for host family and school
placement, at the beginning of the Academic Year
Program (towards the end of September)
following student arrival and orientation.
• The second will be paid in February upon proper
completion of tracking logs, school contact,
report cards, and student activities

10. Compensation
• Reimbursements Continued:
- The third will be paid upon the successful
conclusion of the program at the end of the
Academic Year in late July following student
departure and the receipt of all required
paperwork.

11. Placements must be confirmed with Host Families acceptable to ASSE who are neither Area
Representatives nor Area Coordinators and all placement documents, including School
Administrator Letter, must be completed and received by ASSE by June 1st or 30th. Once
qualified, Early Placement Bonus will apply to all placements finalized between the
commencement of this agreement and June 30 (excluding second semester placements).
Early Placement Bonus

12. Early Placement Bonus
Example:
Nine (9) confirmed placements completed by June 1st qualify
for Early Placement Bonus payment of $550 for each
placement confirmed by June 30th. If the Area Representative
places 1 additional student before June 30th the bonus
payment would be 10 x $550=$5,500.

13. Responsibilities
• Find Host families for ASSE students
• Act as a liaison to local schools
• Recruit and qualify host families
• Student and host family orientation
• Maintain monthly contact with students and
record contact on online tracking log
• Organize activities throughout the year
• Counsel students and host families throughout
the year acting as a guide, friend, and coach on
this special and unique journey
• Outbound student recruitment and
orientation

14. School Admission
Find Schools Within Driving Distance and:
• Make Contacts: Find out who key people are
in the school administration that see the value
in having exchange students at their school
• Find out policies and requirements: Some
schools may have restrictions or requirements
before admitting exchange students
• Secure spots for ASSE students to attend
this school

15. Recruiting Host Families
• Campaign Strategy: Look at the interests of
your students and see if there are local clubs
or communities that hold similar hobbies
• Use the Internet: Research your local
community to see what events you can use to
help bring awareness to the program
• Networking: Friends, acquaintances, and all
the people you know and the people
your friends know!

16. Host Family Interview
• Involves all members of the family – 6 photos +
– exterior, living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom,
picture of family at home visit (and dogs)

17. • Host family application (including criminal
background check authorization form)
• 3 References: employer, community
organization co-member, and family friend
• Lifestyle & realistic expectations
• Would you place your child in this family?

18. Host Family Orientation
• One of the most important contacts you will have with
your family all year. Occurs 2 weeks prior to the
student’s arrival
• The importance of communication,
patience, and tolerance
• This is your chance to go over the Host Family Handbook
and help prepare your family for the year ahead.
• Discuss realistic expectations of the program and the
students. Think of potential cultural differences. Remind
them that the students are normal teenagers, they will
have their ups and downs and are relying on them, their
host family, to guide them through the year ahead.
• How to work with homesickness
• Setting and communicating guidelines and
household rules

19. Student Orientation
• Takes place within 2 weeks of the
student’s arrival
• This is your opportunity to discuss
American culture, norms, and mores, and
go over the ASSE Student Handbook
• ASSE guidelines and expectations
• What is culture shock?
• Stress the importance of communication
and flexibility

20. Publicity
• Friends, Relatives, Associates
• Presentations to HS Language
classes.
• Local Newspapers or Radio Stations: although
ASSE sends out PSAs, it is impossible to reach
every local form of media
• Exchange Students (current or “returnees”):
Students often bring about the most enthusiasm
• Schools (public and private)
• Clubs and Service Organizations
• Posters

21. Outbound Programs
• Academic School Year, Semester and 3 month
programs
– Become a part of a family in another country as
students learn about themselves and the world for 3, 5
or 10 months
• Summer Homestay– 6 weeks
– Gives students an opportunity to get a taste of
their chosen foreign country’s culture
• European Summer Language Program (France,
Spain, Germany) – 4 weeks
– Includes courses that integrate language and
culture as well as excursions to surrounding areas

22. Requirements and Expectations
for Outbound Students
• Students must have at least a B average for the
year, and a B+ to qualify for scholarships
• Although there is no foreign language
requirement, students will have to learn the
language of the host country
• Many students are placed in volunteer families
who live in small villages where the traditional
culture is strong
• We cannot guarantee academic credit for
exchange experiences

23. Database
db. Asse.com
• Your User ID is your email address
• On your first log in, you will create your own
password.
• In the Database you can:
– View profiles of available students and create
availability lists to send to potential host families.
– Record monthly contacts with students and host
families, activities, orientations and school
contacts.
– Access program paperwork
– View flight information for student arrival and
departure

24. Thank you
• You are the key to our success!
• You are the ones who really make it happen!
• ASSE appreciates all that you do!