Indiana Partners of the Americas

Como vai? Tudo bem? (How are you? Everything fine?)

These popular words of greeting among Brazilians young and old that you might be hearing, if you decide to be a host family for a Partners' Youth Ambassador from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, or go to Rio Grande do Sul as a Youth Ambassador.

The Youth Ambassador experience-as host or travelling youth-offers the experience of a lifetime getting to know the warmth and friendliness of Gaucho teens. Learn about the rich southern Brazilian culture and their beautiful country. Learn some Portuguese and taste some Brazilian foods. Expand your family's horizon and make a lifelong friend.

Be an Indiana Youth Ambassador to Brazil or a host family for a Youth Ambassador to Indiana .

Be a part of "Exchanging Places and Improving Lives"

The Partners of the Americas Youth Ambassador Program is now 20 years old. During this time, we have hosted over 100 teenagers from Rio Grande do Sul, our sister state in the southern part of Brazil . Six teens are chosen each year to come from Rio Grande dos Sul, Brasil, our Partner state, for 8 weeks of their summer break-early January to early March. Before they arrive in Indiana , they go through a rigorous selection and preparation program. Their English must be excellent, and they must show they are superior students who have demonstrated the attitudes and skills to adapt to a Youth Ambassador experience.

Six Indiana teens are chosen to go from Indiana to Rio Grande do Sul, typically for limited to one month because of school activities, mid-June to mid-July. They are not expected to be fluent in Portuguese. Although some foreign language knowledge is encouraged. Brazilian host families and schools expect to accommodate English-speaking Americans. They are expected to demonstrate strong commitment and the skills to adapt to a Youth Ambassador experience. They must undergo an interview selection and orientation process.

Program Purposes : 1) to experience American (or Brazilian) culture and family life and; 2) to participate in meaningful volunteer work that builds understanding of voluntary action for the public good; and 3) to develop self-awareness and global understanding that foster leadership skills.

School Attendance: T he opportunity for the teens to participate in school is central to the goal to experience the life of a typical teen in the host country. All of the teens are expected to be accepted and participate in school. However, they travel on a tourist visa, not a student visa. They do not need, and are not eligible for, academic credit, allowing broad latitude to the schools for course schedules and requirements. Beyond cultural understanding, the school can also be a key location for Youth Ambassador volunteer and leadership experience.

School Acceptance : In arranging for the arrival of a Youth Ambassador, Indiana and Rio Grande do Sul Partners of the Americas work with the host families in contacting school officials and gaining school acceptance of Youth Ambassadors as students. We ask schools new to the YA experience to fill out a simple acceptance form, confirming their role in hosting. We encourage Youth Ambassador volunteer activities to benefit the school in recognition of the special efforts to welcome a foreign student.

Volunteer Experience: The volunteer experience is critical. Volunteer effort for the common good is fundamental to the work of Partners and we ask the teens to make this a part of their experience. Volunteer opportunities vary widely in accordance with host family and school schedules, e.g. schools (library work, cultural presentations, sports team aids/assistants, arts clubs), service clubs, YWCA/YMCA, hospitals, museums, social service agencies and soup kitchens, and other community outreach programs. The teens list previous volunteer experience and preferences in their program applications. Partners in your host community are ready to help make arrangements that will work for the host family and the teen.

The Host Family Commitment to the Youth Ambassador :

the first telephone call home, subsequent ones at teen's expense
a room (sharing with a host family sibling is perfectly acceptable),
daily meals, and
routine transportation ( such as to school, church, volunteer activity)
inclusion in family outings
arranging for school and volunteer participation
transporting the Youth Ambassador to YAgroup weekend outing (s)

Special Activities: Every Youth Ambassador group is different but we make sure the YAs have one- two weekends apart from the family experience. The Circle City Weekend in Indianapolis is one, usually combined with a Partners meeting that includes a typical Brazilian meal, the Feijoada, and a program in which the YAs participate. Other excursions have been a weekend trip to Chicago, a Valentines party, or a ski overnight.

Become a Host Family : Host families are very special people-people who open their hearts and homes to welcome a Brazilian "son" or "daughter." Fun is always an important part of the hosting experience! Our winters are a truly novel experience for these Brazilian teens. The Youth Ambassadors Program Committee and the local city committees of Partners are always available to help if suggestions or support of any kind are needed.

YA Contacts: Jhani Laupus - or phone: 317/257-2333
or Leslie Barratt - or phone: 812/232-3604

Youth Ambasassador Program

Como vai? Tudo bem? (How are you? Everything fine?)

Be a part of "Exchanging Places and Improving Lives"

The Host Family Commitment to the Youth Ambassador :

Related Documents and Links: