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Current Issues with Study Abroad Programs
Many study abroad agencies have put emphasis solely on placing students in American schools without considering that these students need proper guidance and support to truly succeed in a foreign education environment. Global Voyage programs are designed to address these common issues below to make sure students benefit the most from their study abroad experience.
Lack of supervision on children
Parents are often unable to effectively supervise their child’s behavior in school and at the host home. Many children are overwhelmed by the academic and social burdens of high school and can struggle without parents around to help.
Global Voyage believes that it is extremely important to provide supervision to students and involve parents more in children's development. International students' parents should also have access to teachers' comments, reports, and get an objective and comprehensive idea of the students' performance. Global Voyage cares deeply about the academic and social problems of all students, and can provide guidance and support when students go through difficult times.
Ineffective Communication
Although international students often have a firm grasp of the English language, communication problems are very common between all parties: host families, parents, students, and schools. This communication barrier prevents teachers from directly communicating with students' parents about their child’s academic performance, and prevents host families from sharing their opinions with students' parents when a conflict arises. Students they can be afraid to ask questions and voice their thoughts in an unfamiliar environment.
Global Voyage Education believes that effective communication can promote better conflict resolution between students and host parents, provide parents with peace of mind, help students integrate into their new environment and allow them to take advantage of the support and services available at the host institution.
Our Services as Solutions
Global Voyage developed its own high school program with the goal of solving these problems by providing the necessary support to students, schools, host families and students' parents. Our comprehensive service package includes academic support for students, communication support between schools and parents, and social support to help give students a life-changing study abroad experience.
Academic Support:
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School Placement – Students are placed into top schools in the D.C. area that match their interests and goals.
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Academic Plans – Academic advisors work with students and the school to create semester plans for students to monitor academic performance.
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Writing Support – Students can meet with academic tutors bi-weekly to review assignments and receive writing advice.
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Language Assessment – Students are automatically registered for one TOEFL test every year to keep track of their language improvement.
Communication Support:
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Parent-Teacher Conferences – Video conferences between parents and teachers are organized, translated and facilitated at the end of each semester.
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Host Family Meetings – Video conferences between parents and host parents are provided every semester to discuss any concerns.
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Student Performance Reports – Reports are compiled, translated, and sent to parents bi-weekly about students' performance and progress.
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Host Family Evaluations – Host families and students fill out evaluation forms about the hosting experience that are translated and sent to parents bi-monthly.
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Emergency Support – Students and parents are able to contact Global Voyage 24/7 for major and minor emergencies.
Social and Cultural Support:
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Host Family Placement – Students are matched with caring host families that provide housing, food, and supervision for the entire duration of the study abroad program.
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Cultural Orientation / Guidance – Students attend cultural orientation sessions before their departure to the United States
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International Student Group Meetings – Meetings are organized for international students every school year to share their experiences living and studying in the U.S.
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School Cultural Events – Cultural festival celebrations are arranged for participating schools