AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

SPRING 2019

HANDBOOK

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Table of Contents

About the Program 3

Ambassador Projects 5

Testimonials 8

Participation Point System & Awards 9

Ambassador of the Month / Year 10

Contact 11

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IES Abroad Ambassador Program

Through volunteer projects on campus and online, Ambassadors bring the study abroad experi-ence to life for future IES Abroad students. The program helps IES Abroad alumni build their résumés and communication skills while sharing their stories with peers who are eager to listen.

Ambassadors offer support and advice to future study abroad students, serving on their campuses and online from a semester to a year,with the opportunity to serve for longer if interested.

What are the responsibilities of an IES Abroad Ambassador?

Ambassadors are expected to:

• Share a genuine enthusiasm for study abroad and intercultural learning with other students.

• Offer to help at their study abroad office with events and student questions (if assistance is needed).

• Participate in certain required projects, including Study Abroad Reviews, and the Packing Advice Project.

• Take initiative to help with optional projects or organize their own events or projects when possible.

• Answer questions received via the Contact an Ambassador page on our website within two days of receiving the message. If they are unable to respond, they must contact the Ambassador Program Coordinator who will reassign the message to a different Ambassador.

• Complete the Ambassador Participation Survey (sent in May and December) to report their activities to the Ambassador Program Coordinator.

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IES Abroad Ambassador ProgramWhy should you join the Ambassador Program?

Join a community of over 500 recent alumni who help spread the greatness of study abroad on their college campuses.

1. Share Your StoryYou know your story the best! There’s a lot to unpack from a study abroad experience, and this is a great opportunity to process and inspire students as well. You’ll serve as a peer mentor and answer any questions that students might have.

2. Professional Development + NetworkingAs an Ambassador, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to work with your Study Abroad Office to help out at events like study abroad fairs, predeparture orientations, and panels. You’re also encouraged to come up with events on your own! At the end of your experience, you can add skills in event planning, content creation, and public speaking to your résumé.

3. IncentivesWe want to make sure that your hard work doesn’t go unrecognized. Ambassadors who complete projects earn points toward Amazon Giftcards up to $50 twice a year. Ambassadors who go above and beyond are eligible for our Ambassador of the Month and Ambassador of the Year Awards as well. Information regarding participation and awards can be found at the end of this handbook.

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Ambassador Projects

STUDY ABROAD OFFICE INTRODUCTION AND ASSISTANCE

Introduce yourself as an IES Abroad Ambassador to your study abroad office and offer to support their outreach efforts when possible. Each study abroad office works with returnees differently, so they may not need your assistance. You will not be penalized if your study abroad office doesn’t require your help.

Varies by school and your availability

STUDY ABROAD REVIEWS

In this one-time project you share your thoughts about your IES Abroad program by posting a review to study abroad review websites. (It’s just like “Yelp” but for Study Abroad Programs!)

Approx. 20 minutes

PACKING ADVICE

Provide packing advice to students through this one-time project. You’ll fill out a form on the IES Abroad website.

Approx. 10-15 minutes

EMAILS

Answer questions received via the Contact an Ambassador page on our website within two days of receiving the message. If they are un-able to respond, they must contact the Ambassador Program Coordi-nator who will reassign the message to a different Ambassador.

TBD

REQUIRED

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OPTIONAL PROJECTS (earn points toward gift cards!)

STUDY ABROAD FAIR VOLUNTEER

Share your experience with students looking into their study abroad options at a fair. Ask your study abroad office when your school’s study abroad fairs are scheduled, if there are any. If IES Abroad is attending, we may also email you to request your help! Approx. 1-3 hours per semester

STUDY ABROAD OFFICE & INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION EVENT VOLUNTEER

Become more consistently involved with your study abroad office by be-coming a peer advisor or joining your school’s ambassador program too (if there is one). You may also help at international education events, in-cluding Predeparture Orientations, Study Abroad 101 Sessions, and Stu-dent Panels. Some study abroad offices may not need your assistance. Varies by school and project involvement

AMBASSADOR-LED INFORMATION SESSION

Give a brief info session about IES Abroad and/or your experience abroad to a class, Greek chapter, athletic club, or other campus organi-zation. We’ve created a PowerPoint template if you choose to use it. Approx. 5 minute presentation plus 90 minutes to prepare presentation

IES Abroad has staff members who are willing to help you plan/make these presentations! Email study@iesabroad.org for more information, and to request a co-presenter from our HQ!

Ambassador Projects

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AMBASSADOR-LED RETURNED STUDENT PANEL

Organize a returned study abroad student panel with other students at your school. A detailed set of instructions will be sent in a training docu-ment that will help you. You can ask your study abroad office or IES Abroad Staff to help support your event.

Approx. 60 minute presentation

SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH INITIATIVES

Participate in social media campaigns using sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to help encourage students to study abroad. We will ask you to post occasionally about your experience using different tags like @IESAbroad or doing a #tbt. The projects will vary throughout the year, and none of them should take long to complete. Some of your posts may even be used for our marketing materials!

Approx. less than 5 minutes each

SUBMIT ORIGINAL CONTENT FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE IES ABROAD WEBSITE

Submit original content (written, photo, or video) to be considered for publication on our website. Examples: A story on the Top 5 Ways to Fund Study Abroad; a letter to yourself before studying abroad; a Meeting Locals: 101 segment; or a photo/video-filled post to illustrate your study abroad story. Send me an email and we can disucss some ideas! Approx. 1 hour per submission

Ambassador Projects

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Testimonials

I don’t think students should be concerned about an excessive time commitment. The work you do as an Ambassador is rewarding and reflec-tive and fun and, truthfully, a great way to break away from academic stresses. It also offers an opportunity to talk about your experiences--friends can only be so patient when every story begins with ‘This one time in Germany... ‘

Haley WilhemFreiburg | Scripps CollegeAMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 2016-17

It’s really rewarding for me personally to be able to help students as they get ready for their own once-in-a-lifetime study abroad experience. I know firsthand that studying abroad can be a really daunting process, so I love being able to directly help students feel more comfortable with the idea of it.

Nolan DerrShanghai | The College of William & Mary

I have loved being an IES Abroad Ambassador because it has given me the opportunity to re-flect on my time abroad and really understand how that experience changed me. I have also been able to advise others to take the great leap into the unknown and find out for themselves why everyone raves about studying abroad.

Andrea RodriguezSantiago | University of St. Thomas

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Participation Point System & Awards

PROJECT HOW TO DOCUMENT POINTS

POINTS AMAZON GIFT CARD AWARD

5

5

10

10

15

15

15

15 $20$35$50

3045

Earn up to one gift card per semester.

You can only earn points once for each category per semester.

Students must complete the Ambassador Participation Survey at the end of each

semester (May & December) to have their points awarded.

Engage in Social Media Outreach (Must complete at least 3 to receive 5 points)

Answer Ambassador Monthly Questionnaire (Must complete at least 3 to receive 5 points)

Submit Original Content for consideration on IES Abroad website (Write an original content piece, create a video, etc.) Note: This does not include the monthly Ambassador Questionnaire.

Volunteer at one Study Abroad Fair

Help at one pre-departure orientation, information session, or prospective student event on campus

Organize and lead one information session or student panel. Email study@iesabroad.org if you would like an IES Abroad Staff member to support you!

Serve as an ongoing volunteer at your study abroad office as a peer advisor OR help at 3+ international education events (info sessions, tabling, orienta-tions)

Reply to project emails, letting us know you posted

Follow directions in project email

Follow directions in project email

Email a copy of your presentation or a confirmation email from your school to study@iesabroad.org

Sign in as an Ambassador on the IES Abroad rep’s signup sheet, or ask your school to confirm your participation via email to study@iesabroad.org

Sign in as an Ambassador on the IES Abroad rep’s signup sheet, or ask your school to confirm your participation via email to study@iesabroad.org

Confirmation email from your school sent to study@iesabroad.org

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Ambassador of the Month

Ambassador of the Year

Two outstanding Ambassadors are recognized each month for their hard work on campus and online. Awardees receive a $50 gift card, and recognition on our website.

After serving the program for one year, you can apply to be the Ambassador of the Year. (AOTY) The AOTY Committee comprised of IES Abroad staff, will select two exceptional Ambassadors for their con-tributions to the program. Awardees receive $1,000 and a trip to the IES Abroad Annual Conference in Chicago.

Learn more about our Ambassadors of the Year:

2017-18

Lydia CarrLondon | Howard University

Matthew HelfondBuenos Aires | Santa Clara University

2016-17

Cheyenne FreeloveAuckland | University of Tulsa

Haley WilhemFreiburg | Scripps College

2015-16

Mark MeiselbachAmsterdam | Tufts University

Sergio Rodriguez CamarenaEuropean Union | Pomona College

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Contact

Marlowe PadillaStudent Outreach & Ambassador Coordinator

IES Abroad Sydney Alumnus

study@iesabroad.org

800.995.2300 ext 5101

Have a question about the Ambassador Program? Let’s chat!