Our Group Leaders
Our Group Leaders
Experiment group leaders are dynamic, responsible, emotionally mature adults who support Experimenters in a number of ways. First and foremost, they provide and maintain a safe and secure setting, wherein students can have a meaningful and memorable learning experience.
Group leaders are chosen for their leadership skills, particularly in working with young people, as well as their cross-cultural experience and language competency.
- Beginning with student orientation, leaders work with Experimenters to increase their knowledge of the country and culture, develop communication skills, and cultivate new attitudes and awareness.
- During the course of the program, they keep in close contact with homestay host families and Experimenters, conduct group excursions, and guide students through discussion and reflection on their experiences.
- At the end of the program, leaders help students evaluate their experiences and assist them in recognizing that their "Experiment" has just begun.
A leader's role is to:
- ensure the participants' safety and welfare
- administer program logistics and budget
- facilitate the learning experience and encourage the personal growth of the participants
- negotiate expectations placed on the leader by EIL's partners overseas, host families, participants, participants' parents, and Vermont staff.
We look for group leaders with:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Leadership experience in working with high school students
- Living/learning experience in the countries where we have programs
- Competency in the language of the host country
Although group leaders come from all professions, they are most typically:
- teachers
- recently returned US Peace Corps volunteers
- graduate school students
