Student Life Coorindator

Temporary Position (January - May 2024)

Location: Based out of our Cambridge, MA office but living and working in Europe, Asia, Australia, or Latin America

Division: EF Gap Year

We are hiring multiple Student Life Coordinators for several of our EF Gap Year programs for the Spring of 2024. While this position reports into our Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston) headquarters, this is your chance to live and work throughout Europe or Central America during one of the program durations below (click on the program name to see the program itinerary):

• Pathfinder in Europe
  • Program Dates: February 5 - April 14, 2024 (10 weeks)
  • 1 position available
• Pathfinder in Europe
  • Program Dates: February 16 - April 26, 2024 (10 weeks)
  • 2 positions available
• Changemaker in Latin America
  • Program Dates: February 16 - April 26, 2024 (10 weeks)
  • 1 position available
• Voyager in the Asia-Pacific Region
  • Program Dates February 16 - April 26, 2024 (10 weeks)
  • 2 positions available
• European Exploration
  • Program Dates February 28 - March 27, 2024 (4 weeks)
  • 2 positions available
• Costa Rican Exploration
  • Program Dates February 28 - March 27, 2024 (4 weeks)
  • 1 position available

The Student Life Coordinator travels alongside program participants throughout the course of the program. They will work closely with EF staff & partners (like a Tour Director) in-country as well as across the globe, while formally reporting to an EF Gap Year Student Life Specialist and program specific Gap Year Advisor.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Student Life Coordinator’s primary role is to support and empower EF Gap Year program participants (typically 18-22-year-olds from the U.S.) to be successful, engaged, and safe throughout the duration of their gap year experience. The overarching goals of the Student Life Coordinator are to foster positive group dynamics, while ensuring each individual student feels a sense of belonging within the group, and that students are adapting to the program successfully. In addition, the Student Life Coordinator is responsible for leading program activities and enhancing the student experience.

Your responsibilities will include :

• Prepare for and welcome students on arrival.
• Assist in the design and implementation of virtual and in-person orientation activities.
• Facilitate and participate in group activities throughout the program.
• Empower students to set goals and follow up on their progress, with a focus on EF Gap Year’s core G2PA Educational Philosophy: Growth mindset, Global perspectives, Personal development, and Action.
• Respond to emergency situations as needed, working closely with a central EF Safety and Incident Response teams and EF Gap Year Staff to manage crises.
• Foster positive community dynamics within the cohort and with the local community, focusing on inclusivity and respect.
• Accompany students on all included tours and activities, assisting with logistics as needed.
• Respond appropriately to any violations of the EF Gap Year’s Code of Conduct in collaboration with EF staff members.
• Compile and create content for EF Gap Year, potentially including photos, student interviews, etc.
• Other duties as reasonably assigned.

WHO YOU ARE:

You’re someone with experience working with students in the 18-22 year old range. You’re a people person at your core who likes building community and cares about the well-being of others. You are highly adaptable, extremely go with the flow, and can navigate potentially challenging situations. You enjoy taking the lead with the goal of guiding and supporting the group. You are empathetic and friendly but authoritative if you need to be.

Requirements:

• Top skills we’re looking for: Adaptability, Flexibility, Positivity, Communication, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Skills
• Experience leading, facilitating, and/or working with high school, gap year, or college students in a mentorship capacity
• Ability to live and work in the same location as the students for the entire duration of the program
• Comfort serving in an on-call emergency response capacity and experience with escalated situation management, mediation, and conflict resolution
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and use own initiative
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with an international team of EF staff and partners both locally and across the globe
• Experience leading teams or groups of people, providing direction and structure, and being the voice of authority when necessary
• Experience in interpersonal communication
• Passion to foster cross-cultural awareness in an international context
• Experience navigating problems, changes in plans, or conflict
• Ability to attend the virtual or in-person training mid-late January
• Availability to work full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), and comfortable with being on-call overnight or on weekends based needs of the students and program
• Must have a valid passport
• Must be fluent in English
• Legal ability to work in the U.S. without work sponsorship

Preferred (but not required) Qualifications:

• Experience working as a Resident Advisor, Student Life Coordinator, or similar role
• B2 level or experience with the program country language
• Experience studying, living or working abroad
• Experience studying, living or working in the program country
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• CPR certification (will be provided if not already certified)

TIMING COMMITMENTS:

• You must be available for the entire duration of the program for which you are applying for
• You also must be available for 10-20 hours of onboarding and training in late January or early February

COMPENSATION PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• $2,740 a month; aligned with total program length + onboarding time
• All meals as included as part of the student program, plus a meal stipend to cover remaining food costs
• All flights to and from the program country and all transportation on-the-ground between destinations
• Accommodation for the duration of the program
• Program-specific insurance
• Ability to expense back a mobile phone plan up to $100 per month of the program

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Please submit your resume, a cover letter, and video/audio submissions to the outlined questions online.
  • In your cover letter, please indicate which programs you are interested in (you can select one or multiple programs of interest).
  • Please only apply for programs during which you are available for the entire duration of the program.
• Once we have reviewed applications, qualified applicants will proceed through two live (likely virtual) interviews, with a maximum third interview only if necessary.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Final applicants will be given an offer at least 30 days prior to program departure.

About EF Gap Year

EF Gap Year transforms young people into true global citizens. Participants travel the world, learn a new language, volunteer for a good cause, gain internship experience in future careers, and develop leadership experience. They build an impressive portfolio of global skills while away and return home more self-confident, self-reliant and mature- ready for success in college and professionally. As a proud part of EF Education First, EF Gap Year draws on over 50 years of EF expertise to add amazing travel and learning experiences to its growing tour portfolio. EF, the world leader in international education, has helped more than 15 million people learn a language, discover the world or earn an academic degree to date.

About EF Education First

At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs-focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics-turn dreams into international opportunities.

When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about-we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, parental status, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. Learn more at https://www.ef.com.

At EF Education First, we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, EF has helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves.