Feature Story & Photos By Larry H. Oskin
Education First (EF) has made an extraordinary positive mark on Central Florida with local volunteers host families and students from across the globe through the facilitation of an English Language Travel Program. EF students come here to Florida with the hope of improving their English skills and to experience life in America. This is accomplished by participating in an academic language course that is provided by EF and by being immersed in our American culture with their local host families.
The EF Educational Homestay Program is a non-profit division of Education First. EF is internationally based in England, while the American headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For over 50 years, the EF mission has been to successfully share life-changing education, confidence and freedom for people of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. They strive to combine English language training with an in-depth cultural exchange, academic achievement and educationally-based travel to deliver programs that help to transform dreams into exciting new international opportunities.
Central Florida has become one of the most popular destinations for EF students from across the world. Students traveling here to Florida are interested in exploring the Central Florida attractions, culture, lifestyle and history while taking in all the fun that our state has to offer. EF encourages host families here in Florida to include their visiting students in as many family outings as possible. The Clermont, Groveland, Minneola, Winter Garden, Apopka, Mount Dora and numerous other South Lake communities of Central Florida are coordinated with other programs in North Florida, Southwest Florida and from across the United States. In 1996, EF/EHP brought 187 students to the State of Florida. This year, the projections are to bring in at least 1500 students to visit our state.
Maryann True of Ocala has recently accepted the position of Florida Operations Manager after fulfilling her role as the Florida Area Manager for over 20 years. This new structure will allow the Central Florida Area to grow to new heights under the management of EF’s newest Area Manager, Alexandria Druggett. One of the primary roles of Druggett will be to grow the EF/EHP Program here in Central Florida. She noted, “We will work together to transform the children’s dreams into exciting new international opportunities!”
Host Family Opportunities: Host families are needed for the next January 27 to February 6, 2020, EF Program as well as for next summer school break from July 2 to 28, 2020 here in the Clermont, Winter Garden and South Lake areas! This EF Program is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family. Some of the special benefits for the host families and the EF children include mutual educational opportunities to mutually learn about each other’s culture. You and your family can earn community service hours through their Passport Rewards & Referral Programs. The Passport Rewards Program offers you a sticker for each student you host. Five stickers are rewarded with $200 and ten stickers with $500. There is an extra bonus reward if you sign up for next summer’s exchange program by March 1, 2020.
EF Homestay families provide a warm and loving family environment for visiting students here in Central Florida. Host families provide transportation to and from EF program events at local course centers as well as to provide a bed and meals. EF kids can share a room with your children. Some gracious families host two children at a time. Host families do not get paid. EF offers 24/7 EF Staff Support for host families.
EF/EHP Programs: EF students spend from 2 to 4 weeks here in Florida sharing the weekends with their host families. Education First offers a variety of programs to fit their students and host families here in the Lake County area. EF offers a Junior Chinese Program as well as a European Immersion Program. The Chinese students attend classes each morning at their designated EF sites and then participate in local afternoon activities, while also allowing them to take in all that Lake County has to offer. On evenings and weekends, the students spend time with their volunteer host families learning about family life in America firsthand. The EF Immersion Program brings over high school age students from France and Spain. These students will spend the majority of their time with their host families fully immersed in American Family Life. EF provides two activities per week for the students to attend. The EF General Junior Program usually brings in students from one nationality. The EF International Program typically brings in children from three or more countries at once.
Educational Instructors & Volunteers Needed! With planned growth, EF will always need consistent, new and coordinated help to join their EF Staff team. Under the direction of Maryann True, Program Leaders Edith Irizarry of Clermont and Lisa O’Neill of Montverde lead the Clermont and South Lake area team. TEFL – Teaching English certification is required for teachers. They are always looking for host churches, businesses and community centers to partner with them.
Florida’s Award-Winning EF Program! With EF Educational Programs simultaneously going on across the globe every year and for 9 out of the past 20 years; Florida has proudly earned the esteemed honor as ‘The Best Quality EF Destination Program of The Year!’ Maryann True shares, “We do our best to turn the unfamiliar into the unforgettable. This extraordinary international honor is a result of the tremendous total support we receive from partnering with our amazing Florida host families, our students and our entire EF Team!”
Explore Education First! To consider becoming a host family, instructor or volunteer and for more information, contact EF – Education First, Florida, 737 NW 45th Lane, Ocala, FL 34475, Call: 352-629-3451, email: Maryann.True@EF.com and visit: https://www.ef.edu/and https://www.ef.edu/host-family/.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Larry Oskin is a writer and photographer for the South Lake Tablet. He is the owner of Marketing Solutions / Art Beautique, offering creative marketing, media relations and professional fine art photography services. He is a Board Member of the Clermont Downtown Partnership, the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra and the Clermont Historic Society. For more information, contact Oskin at 703-508-6800 or at LOskin@MktgSols.com.
