What if it doesn't work out?

At EF we strive to provide the best preparation and personalized experience for all parties involved. However, even with those efforts, difficult periods may arise. EF has a support structure in place to help families and students work through these challenges. Here are a variety of steps and resources to guide you to resolution.

Family meeting

While every conflict is handled according to the needs of the situation, a common step in the mediation process is to hold a family meeting. This is done with your student, family and Regional Manager (or other EF staff) in attendance. During a family meeting, the EF staff member present helps to facilitate open communication and outline actionable steps everyone can take to move forward.

Progressive discipline

There are some situations that warrant additional written feedback, or warning letters, to help correct and redirect a student’s behavior. These documents depend on the situation and can only be issued by EF support staff.

Student moves

Moving a student out of the home is typically used as a last resort, after all other mediation and redirecting efforts have not been successful. Moves are completely based on the individual situation and must be approved by EF support staff. When students leave a host family’s home, they must move into a support family's home or another home screened by EF. In some cases, the student may remain in the original host family’s home, if agreed on by all, until a new family is found and screened.

Early return

Some more serious situations may require the student to return earlier than planned to their home country. This is not as common but can happen after these supportive efforts have been exhausted or if the student's behavior is against EF Rules and Regulations or Irish law. Early return decisions are taken seriously, and only EF support staff can approve and arrange for a student to return home early.

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