Foreign Student Farm/Horse Worker?

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Tia

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I was sent a lovely letter a week ago by a nice young French lady via her university in France. All the girls in her year are doing work experience overseas and she has applied to come and work for me on my farm. No idea where they got our details from but heyho that's besides the point. I checked out the uni and all is kosher.

The girl is 20 and wants to work on our farm for 6 weeks during our busiest part of the year when we are haying. We have about 150 acres down to hay this year so it will be quite hectic and could certainly use any workers we can get ....... however, she has to live with us in our house for 6 weeks....

Now if it were for 3 weeks I'd have definitely said yes as I am REALLY big on kids doing work experience overseas at this age, but 6 weeks is an awful long time to have a stranger living in your house.

If you were this age would you be bored living on a farm such as ours, and away from home for 6 weeks in a different country? We have plenty of horses that she could ride, we have a swimming pool, are very close to town and near a few cities, so it wouldn't be like she is closed off from the outside world....but...

She would her own room and all food etc is paid for by us. She has to be given a wage and we have to collect her from the airport which is an hour and a half away.

I don't really want to insure any of our vehicles for a stranger, so she wouldn't really have free rein about where she goes or what she does.

I am really at a crossroads now as the co-ordinator called me earlier today asking for my decision as she will have to organise Canadian exchange student/work visas for the girl etc. I can't decide - can you help give me your perspective please.
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Is it not possible to go back to this coordinator with a list of questions? Surely it's in their interest to answer them truthfully as you could be useful to them in years to come.

I suppose basically you just have to take a chance that she's a pleasant girl who won't get homesick and become a bit of a nuisance. Again, perhaps the coordinator can help you here.

You never know, it may turn out to be one of the best things you've ever done!
 
I did it before when I had my stables in England but they only ever came for 2 weeks which was lovely, but probably long enough.

I just don't know what she would do once we've brought all of our hay in.
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I'd have loved to have done work experience on your farm at that age but was never really in to partying and clubbing so it would have suited me down to the ground! I agree 6 weeks is a long time, especially if you don't really click with her. I'm not sure what I'd do so I'm not really any help at all!!
 
My Parents did something similar they took an austrian girl for 6 MONTHS!! Turned out really well, she fitted in perfectly and they have been over to Austria since and she has been back to visit. I was certainly sceptical initially but they have really gained a good friend and learnt alot from the whole experience.

I say go for it...
 
You know, I wonder if this is my problem? I keep thinking that all 20 year olds will want to go out to the pubs and clubs and although we do have them in our little town, I don't want to be driving someone around every night; I just like to blob out after finishing with the hay for the night. The other thing is that often we don't finish stacking the hay till around 10pm. Hmmm not sure about this.

Thank you for you thoughts on this though; I appreciate hearing from you.
 
When I was that age I spent 6 months on a mixed dairy farm in Berkshire. Occasionally we went to the pub, but mostly we just didn't go out, and it didn't bother me - I've never been into clubbing or anything like that. We also had to up at 4am to get the cows in, so wouldn't have late nights anyway, but my point is that not all young girls want the bright lights of the city.

It would be best to make everything clear to the coordinator, but I think I'd go for it. 6 weeks isn't a lifetime, but you might make a lifetime friend?
 
being half french myself I know that they are brought up totally different to english kids, and she would probably be incredibly happy with a swimming pool and the country, they are very active outdoorsy people in contrast to the British.
 
You're right. All the French girls we have had in the past (younger than this one) have been lovely to have around and seem quite happy doing whatever we do.
 
You're right Bedlam. I guess I still keep thinking of what English girls might want, whereas if I think about Canadian farm girls, they would all be perfectly happy lounging around the farm in between working hard.

Spider; very good idea but I don't think it would be allowed as she would be our responsibility and I wouldn't want anything to happen to her. Thank you though for the suggestion.
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[ QUOTE ]
I was sent a lovely letter a week ago by a nice young French lady via her university in France. All the girls in her year are doing work experience overseas and she has applied to come and work for me on my farm. No idea where they got our details from but heyho that's besides the point. I checked out the uni and all is kosher.

The girl is 20 and wants to work on our farm for 6 weeks during our busiest part of the year when we are haying. We have about 150 acres down to hay this year so it will be quite hectic and could certainly use any workers we can get ....... however, she has to live with us in our house for 6 weeks....

Now if it were for 3 weeks I'd have definitely said yes as I am REALLY big on kids doing work experience overseas at this age, but 6 weeks is an awful long time to have a stranger living in your house.

If you were this age would you be bored living on a farm such as ours, and away from home for 6 weeks in a different country? We have plenty of horses that she could ride, we have a swimming pool, are very close to town and near a few cities, so it wouldn't be like she is closed off from the outside world....but...

She would her own room and all food etc is paid for by us. She has to be given a wage and we have to collect her from the airport which is an hour and a half away.

I don't really want to insure any of our vehicles for a stranger, so she wouldn't really have free rein about where she goes or what she does.

I am really at a crossroads now as the co-ordinator called me earlier today asking for my decision as she will have to organise Canadian exchange student/work visas for the girl etc. I can't decide - can you help give me your perspective please.
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I had a girl living with us for 3 weeks last year,she was an exchange student and worked at our yard 5 days per week,she was a sweetie and a delight to deal with and to have in our house HOWEVER i did find it hard to have her in my house when she was off work and i felt that I had to entertain her,I am a very private person and i did struggle to have her "around my feet"
 
Having had a variety of au pairs for 10 years or so I can see how this would be a great arrangement, but if 6 weeks is bothering could you compromise and have her there for 4 weeks instead?
 
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Thanks everyone. I emailed the coordinator last night and she has responded this morning. I feel much more positive about it today and have agreed that she can come and do her work experience here for the 6 weeks. Contract has been signed and is going to be faxed off today.
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