12/23/2005 - AFS New Zealand - Returnee Forum
A returnee forum, organized by Kelly Shea (AFS Waikato Regional Coordinator) and Melissa Vinsen (AFS New Zealand Board member) was held recently in Hamilton, a great, central location for this pilot event which was attended by the Board Chairperson and Partner Director. It involved returnees of all ages and stages of life and sought to re-ignite the returnees’ passion for AFS, introduce issues, gain ideas, and share stories and feelings about the impact of the AFS exchange on their lives.
Topics covered during the forum included post return contact, marketing of AFS, the Educational Study results, mentoring and AFS projects that returnees can get involved in. Two recurring themes were that the AFS experience was “life changing” and that not enough support/ orientation is being given by returnees to selected students. It was very satisfying to see returnees with so many different life experiences sharing what they have in common coming together and expressing a desire to get and/or stay involved in our great organization.
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