Local Adviser Program
What is a local adviser?
A local adviser serves as a mentor to new Ambassador Teachers and shares their own experiences on how to be a successful exchange visitor teacher and cultural ambassador of their country. The local adviser helps new Ambassador Teachers to transition into the new community and shares experiences and cultural opportunities.
A local adviser is not an employee of Participate Learning and will only serve in an advisory capacity. Any serious questions or concerns an Ambassador Teacher may have should immediately be brought to the attention of Participate Learning Teacher Resources. Below are ways a local adviser may assist new Ambassador Teachers.
Local advisers offer an additional layer of support to new Participate Learning Ambassador Teachers. They are experienced Participate Learning Ambassador Teachers who provide guidance as you adjust to your new community and teaching position. Every new Participate Learning Ambassador Teacher is assigned a local adviser, and your local adviser will:
Greet you by:
- Sending you an email in which they:
- Introduce themselves and the community
- Inquire what your priorities are in finding housing in your district (budget, family needs, location, transportation, etc.)
- Provide you with three temporary housing options (hotel, Airbnb, etc.)
- Provide you with three permanent housing options
- Explain how they will help you once you arrive at your district
- Contacting you during your Participate Learning orientation to confirm arrival details
- Meeting you at the district office or other designated meeting area after Participate Learning orientation
*Please respond promptly to any emails or calls you receive from your local adviser. Keep your contact information up-to-date with them so that they can stay in touch with you.
Orient you to the community by:
- Taking you to your temporary housing
- Giving you a welcome packet that will include:
- An apartment or other housing guide
- Local addresses and information
- Info on at least one social get-together with other Ambassador Teachers in your district during the year
- Taking you to visit permanent housing options
- Helping you find:
- Bank or ATM
- Your school(s)
- District office
- Social Security office
- A grocery store with a pharmacy
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Post office
- Hospital/urgent care/clinic
- Assisting you in finding appropriate transportation options
Monitor your transition by:
- Checking in with you by phone, email or in-person every couple of weeks from your arrival through the end of January to see how you are doing. Please respond to these communications so that they know you are doing well.
- Organizing a social gathering with other Participate Learning Ambassador Teachers and members of the community.
- Checking in with you one final time in mid-February to see if there is anything they, or Participate Learning, can do to assist you. Although your local adviser will no longer formally check in with you after February, Participate Learning support is always available to you throughout your years in the U.S.
Help your local adviser help you!
Your local adviser will help you settle into your new community. It is important to remember, however, that local advisers are also Participate Learning Ambassador Teachers who have families and commitments and are preparing for the new school year. Many local advisers are responsible for several first-year Ambassador Teachers. If you feel you need additional support, please contact Participate Learning Teacher Resources.
You can help your local adviser by:
- Clearly communicating your temporary housing preference to your local adviser (e.g. a hotel for under $100/night), and remaining flexible if he/she cannot provide the exact type of accommodation you prefer.
- Clearly communicating your permanent housing preference to your local adviser (e.g. a 2-bedroom apartment with a washer and dryer, near a major road).
- Being patient and flexible when you arrive at your school district or other designated location. You might need to wait outside as your local adviser helps other new teachers pick up their cars and find temporary housing. Summers in the southern U.S. are hot and humid, so please be prepared in case you must wait outside. We recommend bringing water, a snack and something to read.
- Bringing cash to pay for drinks, snacks, groceries, meals and anything else you might need. Local advisers should not be expected to pay for your meals or any other personal expenses.
- Providing your contact information to your local adviser. Please inform your local adviser how you would like him/her to check in with you (email, phone call, text message, etc) and be sure to save contact information for your local adviser.
Interested in becoming a local adviser?
Participate Learning typically starts recruiting local advisers in January for the upcoming school year (beginning in June or August of that same calendar year).
Contact [email protected] with questions or concerns about local advisers.
Learn more about the Local Adviser Program here.