If a problem arises while you are in your host country, we advise you to follow the below line of referral:
1. Consult the relevant country notes. These can be found on your host country webpage and offer advice on settling in, administrative matters and further country specific advice.
2. If you are unable to find the answer in the country notes, we recommend contacting your mentor teacher. Every Language Assistant is assigned a mentor teacher in their host institution who they should approach in the first instance if a problem arises. Problems are best dealt with at the source and your school will appreciate hearing from you directly rather than via a third party.
If the problem relates to your work with them, contacting someone outside the school first will mean it can take longer to resolve and may even exacerbate the problem. If you do not feel able to approach your mentor, there may be another member of staff who can help.
Matters such as timetable, holiday dates and absences should be discussed directly with your school.
3. If you require further support please contact the in-country partners. They can advise on topics such as payment or concerns regarding your host institution.
The contact details of the partner agency can be found in your country notes. If you an undergraduate student, we strongly recommend also contacting your university tutor or year abroad coordinator to make them aware of the situation.
4. If you need further assistance please contact the Language Assistants Team in the UK. We will be happy to answer any queries you may have. However, we can only offer advice and we are not able to contact your host institution overseas directly.