Program Sponsors. YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 1

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1 Program Sponsors The YMCA is thankful for the funding and support to make this phenomenal program happen. This program is made possible through the financial contribution of the Department of Canadian Heritage. For more information on this and other exchange programs funded by the Government of Canada, visit We are also thankful to our travel sponsor, Via Rail Canada for providing a majority of our transportation for our participants and staff to cross this great land. 16 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 1 4/20/15 7:21 PM

2 YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program STUDENT GUIDE Experience the journey of a lifetime YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 2 4/20/15 7:21 PM

3 Welcome and Introduction Congratulations on being selected to participate in the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program! For six (6) short weeks during the summer, you will go on a journey that will forever impact your life. You will learn more about yourself and the people that make up Canada. You will also get to discover another part of our great nation, take on new challenges, make new friends and have lots of fun! This will truly be THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME! Please use this guide as a helpful tool to prepare yourself for the exchange. In this guide you will find information on: Costs Expectations Living and working in your new community Staying healthy and safe Overcoming challenges Tips and tricks for having an amazing experience 2 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 3 4/20/15 7:21 PM

4 Program Costs Save the small participation fee of $100 that we ask that you to contribute, the program covers most of the cost of your participation. These costs include: A return ticket across the country Paid summer employment T-shirt, sunglasses, water bottle and a lanyard Most organized group activities Our amazing summer staff team Expenses that are not covered by the program include: Entertainment, shopping and personal items Transportation to and from work It is highly recommended that you arrive with some personal savings because it takes a few weeks to receive your first pay cheque. 3 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 4 4/20/15 7:21 PM

5 Program Expectations The YMCA is a values-based organization. All YMCA staff, volunteers, and participants agree to demonstrate the following values: Caring Health Honesty Inclusiveness Respect Responsibility As a participant of the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program, you are also expected to represent yourself, your community and the YMCA with these values in mind. 4 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 5 4/20/15 7:21 PM

6 Make it a positive experience for everyone! Participate! This includes participation in group activities and responsibilities at home and at work. Practice your second language. Immersion is the best way to learn a language, take every opportunity to practice. Obey the law. Obey all federal or provincial laws, including, but not limited to, refraining from consuming any alcohol or illegal drugs. Be a great representative of the YMCA. Follow the outlines of the YMCA Etiquette Statement and Commitment to Social Inclusion and Diversity found at the end of this guide. The YMCA may suspend participation if any of the above expectations are not met. Should this be the case you are responsible for your return ticket home. 5 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 6 4/20/15 7:21 PM

7 Travel Traveling across Canada is an amazing experience. Take this time to enjoy the diverse natural beauty that Canada has to offer. Organizing travel for our staff and participants is a complicated and challenging task. We need your cooperation to help things run smoothly, so we ask that you: Arrive on time Stick with your chaperone Bring snacks Ask questions if you re not sure 6 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 7

8 The Golden Rules of packing for a long journey: 1) Only pack what you can carry 2) Only pack what you need 3) Only pack what you can t get where you are going Remember to bring: Clothing and personal items Clothing for one week (you can do laundry) o 5 T-shirts o 3 pairs of pants o 2 Sweaters o 3 pairs of shorts o 7 days of socks and underwear o 1 dressier outfit for dinners or work functions o 1 jacket o 1 hat o 1 bathing suit o sleepwear Photo ID Toiletries Sturdy footwear Cash and a debit card Documentation A void cheque or direct deposit form from your own bank account (so your employer can pay you directly if that is how they pay staff). The police record check sent to you by RAND Security (this will only be sent to you if your assigned employer requires it; please clarify with your home local coordinator if that is the case). Your certifications (e.g. your CPR), if needed by your employer. Your Social Insurance Number (you cannot work and therefore cannot participate without one). 7 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 8

9 Living with your Hosts One of the greatest aspects of this program is living with hosts. In order to make this experience positive, it is important to remember a few things: Remember that your hosts may be from a background different from your own. Be open to new habits, customs, foods and family dynamics. Agree on rules, expectations and schedules with your host. Respect the program curfew (10:00pm on weekdays and midnight on the weekends). Make sure your hosts know where you are and when you will be home. Offer to help out around the house. Ask about the lives, jobs and interests of your hosts. Following these tips will make your experience positive and memorable. Misunderstandings may arise, and if they do, we encourage you to resolve these directly with your host. If need be, the Coordinator in your host community will be happy to provide you with support and advice on how to resolve issues. Summer Work Working hard and earning money is a great feeling. You will be provided with a job with a community organization where you will earn the provincial minimum wage for up to 35 hours per week. To earn that money, you need to put in the hours, go to work every day and work with YMCA values in mind. Holding a job requires responsibility, punctuality and dedication. To make the best of your job experience, here are some tips from a former participant: Be present and participate! Keep your phone off. On your first day, ask questions about workplace safety, the hours you work, as well as when and how you are getting paid. Make an effort to communicate, however hard it may be. Everyone around you will appreciate it. Plus, practice makes perfect! Offer someone your help when you are done with your own tasks! Your coworkers may also be nervous! You are as different and foreign to them as they are to you. Make an effort to talk and bond with them. Arrive on time, early is best. 8 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 9

10 Things to remember on your first day of work Bring your Social Insurance Number Bring your void cheque or banking information Bring your Police reference check (PRC) if required Remember to write your HOME address on your tax forms If you ensure that all of these details are followed, then you will be paid in a timely manner (to the right address and right bank account). Worker s Rights You have many rights as an employee and it is important to know what you are entitled to. Prior to departing for your new adventure, we ask that you consult this link from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety in order to be better informed: It is important to know your rights! The list below is taken from the Services for Youth page from the Government of Canada website. You have three fundamental rights as an employee: The right to know The right to participate The right to refuse unsafe work Employer s responsibilities: To provide a safe and healthy workplace To train employees on potential hazards and to ensure employees have the required certification To correct unsafe actions and conditions To ensure protective equipment is available and being used To report and investigate all accidents and incidents If you ever feel like your rights are not being met, speak first with your employer and then with your local coordinator. 9 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 10

11 Program Activities Throughout the summer you are going to share exciting experiences with your group. The activities are all built around trying out new things in your community along and are centered on these categories: Team-building welcome event where you will get to know each other Community Discovery what makes this place unique History and Heritage learn about your new community and its peoples past Arts and Culture discover ways to engage in creative expression Sport and Recreation get out and get active Civic Engagement learn how to effect positive change Community Engagement a day to volunteer and give back Participant s Choice you get to pick two fun things to do in your community Host Weekend you spend a weekend with your hosts Group Closing farewell event and summer debrief session 10 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 11

12 Facing Challenges Being in a new environment is exciting and allows you to push your boundaries and step outside your comfort zone. However, this sudden change of being in a new and unfamiliar environment can be overwhelming. This is normal; here are some helpful tips to make the transition a little bit easier: Working through Culture Shock Adapting to a new culture requires patience and grace. You will encounter differences in customs traditions, beliefs and viewpoints which may seem strange to you at first but are totally normal for other Canadians. Diversity is what makes us great! Be open-minded, respect other s beliefs and don t forget that your views can be as strange to others as theirs can be to you. Experiencing Homesickness Homesickness and culture shock are tied together. When things get too different you want to return to where things are known and comfortable - home. This is normal and okay. When you are feeling homesick, talk with your local coordinator and ask about upcoming fun activities, check in with your group to see if other people are feeling the same thing, and get in touch with your friends and family, tell them that you miss them and that you ll see them soon. Communicating through Language Barriers Immersive learning is the most effective way to build long lasting language skills. Being bilingual opens up future opportunities such as unique employment opportunities and allows a deeper understanding of francophone/anglophone cultures. It takes hard work and practice and there may be some barriers along the way. Remember to speak slowly, use gestures and to not forget your dictionary. Understanding Group Differences Every group is a mixture of people who come from all sorts of backgrounds, different cultures, different attitudes, different schools, different talents and skills and ultimately a different outlook on life. You have lots to learn from each other. Help create a positive group by: Listening to what others are trying to say Being open-minded Communicating how you feel clearly Being respectful of other people s opinions 11 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 12

13 Staying Safe Your safety and well-being is our top priority. There are three categories of safety that we want you to keep in mind throughout the exchange. Trying new things We hope that you experience things in this program that you would have never tried before. We feel that pushing just outside your comfort zone will help you expand that comfort zone. However, we never want you to feel pressured. Your gut feeling is a pretty good indicator of safety. When you are out on activities and something doesn t feel right, it is okay to choose not to participate. We work in a challenge-by-choice framework where we want you to stretch your comfort zone and try new things within your own limits. All of our Local Coordinators will respect your choices. Protecting Yourself As a year old outside of your own home and community, you need to take the lead on your own well being. If you ever feel uncomfortable with your hosts or at work, tell your Local Coordinator right away. All of the Local Coordinators are available in an emergency and will have their phone on every day and every night of the program. We are here to listen, support and help you have a positive experience. Handling Emergencies CALL 911 if you are in immediate danger or harm. The municipal fire, police and emergency services are the best people equipped to respond to emergencies. After you call 911, call your Local Coordinator and they can make sure you have everything you need. 12 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 13

14 Our Summer Staff Schedules Your Local Coordinators are in place to help and support your experience. In order for them to be their best, they also require time off to recharge. We want both the participants and our staff to have a positive experience working for the program. As staff work very hard to help make your experience that of a lifetime, we need your help to make their experience positive as well. Staff will provide you with their weekly schedule and we ask that you respect that schedule and allow for them to also have time off just as you do. Staff members are always available in an emergency but if your request is less urgent, please be patient and contact staff during their working hours. Contact information Home Coordinator Phone Host Coordinator Phone Host Coordinator Phone Host Coordinator Phone 13 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 14

15 The YMCA Etiquette Statement The YMCA is a shared experience for everyone to enjoy. Each of us can make it better for all by being considerate to others. YMCA members, staff and volunteers pledge to treat one another with respect and dignity. 14 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 15

16 Commitment to Diversity and Social Inclusion The YMCA as a whole - recognizes and values diversity and social inclusion as underpinnings of what we stand for and what we do. We regard the diversity of people and communities as assets, and recognize their contribution to the social, political and cultural enrichment of the GTA and this Association. As a socially inclusive YMCA, we ensure that diverse individuals and communities share in power, give voice effectively to their issues, are involved in decision-making processes, and have fair access to information and services. We also challenge specific forms of exclusion, including systemic barriers. The Summer Work Student Exchange Program specifically - is built on showcasing Canada s rich diversity and exposing you to new experiences. These experiences include meeting a diverse set of group members, living in a community unlike your own, and participating in a wide range of activities. 15 YMCA 2015 SWSE Student Guide Eng - NA Edits.indd 16