Who to talk to if you have a question

EF prides itself on the extensive support we offer students, host families and schools. There is always someone available to assist you.

Your go-to local contact

Regional Manager (RM)

Regional Managers are the local representatives of EF High School Exchange Year, located one to two hours from your community. Your RM is your primary contact person. They are your first phone call whenever you have a question or need assistance. Their primary responsibilities include:

 

  • Finding caring host families
  • Screening host families and helping them through the application process
  • Working with schools
  • Making frequent contact with host families and students
  • Mediating any issues that may arise between a student and family and/or school
  • Conducting mandatory EF meetings

Advice every step of the way

Student Success Advisor

Student Success Advisors serve as the primary contact for students during the exchange year. They are available to students via different channels, including text, calls and social media, and can help with any questions or needs, no matter how small or big. Aside from connecting with students regularly to guide them through the exchange year, they will also visit students locally and plan in person meetups and events within each community or region. They are actively involved in the exchange year, creating unique experiences, celebrating accomplishments, and supporting students through any challenges, as well as sharing regular updates with our colleagues overseas to keep students’ parents updated.

Global support

EF offices

EF High School Exchange Year is the student's official programme sponsor. We work collaboratively with the EF offices abroad to communicate regularly with our programme participants. This way, we ensure quality and compliance with rules and regulations that govern the programme. Additional responsibilities include:

 

  • Screening and preparing host families and students
  • Helping families select the right student for their home
  • Overseeing school enrolment
  • Arranging student visas
  • Coordinating student travel to/from the Ireland
  • Supporting local RMs, students, schools and EF host families
  • Communicating with students' parents

Expert counseling on how to handle concerns

Regional Manager

The Regional Manager serves as the primary contact for host families and schools. They are available to host families by phone and e-mail, helping to guide families through the exchange experience together with their students. Aside from connecting with host families to ensure that the exchange year is going smoothly, Regional Mangers will also check in with schools regularly to ensure that the students' academic performance meets EF and school expectations, as well as arrange some in person meetings or events for host families. Regional Managers work traditional business hours and are available for on-call emergencies.

Programme Advisor and Programme Counsellor

Programme Advisors and Programme Counsellors serve as an additional layer of support for students and work with the Student Success Advisor and Regional Manager to guide students and families through challenges that can impact the success of an exchange year or concerns that are more escalated, severe or urgent. They also visit students locally and assist with the planning of regional meetups and events. Programme Advisors and Programme Counsellors communicate with our colleagues abroad to ensure the students’ parents are informed of their children’s progress or any concerns during the exchange year. They work flexible hours and are available for on-call emergencies.

Other topics

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