American Friendship Partners And Volunteers

Friendship Partners are American families, single persons or college students who volunteer to befriend an international student. Friendship Partners can offer international students experiences of a lifetime, just by including them in their enjoyments of favorite sports, the arts, religious and cultural events, as well as celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings.

There are a variety of opportunities for ISI Volunteers to help international students. As one Friendship Partner said, "When international students arrive, everything is new. They need someone to prepare them for how things are done, how we think, and the easiest ways to adjust to our culture. They need someone who is truly going to be their friend." Volunteers can help in other important ways as well: Picking students up at the airport is a good way to make their first impression in a new country a positive one. Helping with our bi-weekly Walmart trips for the UMKC students can be a big help.  Taking students sightseeing and on shopping excursions are another way volunteers can help. A favorite activity of international students and Friendship Partners alike are dinners and other social activities where interesting discussions and idea exchanges take place and perspectives on social, religious and cultural issues are shared. Check out our calendar of upcoming events. Meeting with a student on a weekly basis for English conversation practice can be very helpful to the student and lots of fun for the volunteer.  Help a student by volunteering with one of the university or college’s Intensive English Programs (IEP).    Help a student with one-on-one tutoring and/or proofreading a student’s papers.  This can help a student keep up with his or her studies, and deal with the challenges of learning a subject in a second language. Students sometimes also need help with finding temporary housing and apartment hunting. Some JCCC students are looking for home-stay living situations. **Volunteers can help in these activities by preparing meals, driving, or hosting fellowships students to activities.** International students aren't the only ones at the receiving end of this relationship. Friendship Partners, by their interaction with international students, receive cultural experiences which enrich their lives. Many become lifelong friends with their international students. For those in the Kansas City area, contact Carol Douglass, if you want to volunteer or you need more information: cdouglass@isiwebnet.net. If you are outside the Kansas City area and there are no staff near you, contact a Volunteer Services representative at ISI's home office for more information on how you can get involved at: team@isiwebnet.net.