What is this program?
Some students come to the U.S. and spend four years here without ever really getting to know what American life is like outside the campus environment. In fact, four out of five international students return to their home countries never entering an American home. We don't want that to happen to you!
The Friendship Partner Program gives you the opportunity to get to know an American family or individual.
Why should you get involved?
This is a good chance to make friends outside the university and experience American life. You also become an "ambassador" for your country, sharing your culture with Americans.
No. You do not live with your American friend. It is simply a chance to get to know an American friend or family and to develop a friendship.
Hopefully for a lifetime! Many friends and students continue to correspond long after students have returned to their home countries. It all depends on the individuals involved. The choice is yours.
Fill out the application form and submit it now. You can do this online, or print out a pdf or word version. Please register on this website.
We will try to match you with an American who shares your interests. It may take a couple of weeks to process your application.
After you get the application to us Melody Craven will then start to match you if an American Friendship Partner is available. After she has made a match, Melody will first contact you with information about your American Friendship Partner to see if you think it is a good match. You will then be contacted by your American friend. They will set up a time and a place to get together. Your friend will pick you up if you don't have transportation.
Your American friend will want to get together with you at least once a month. Getting together less than this makes it more difficult to build a real friendship. You may be invited to go to a concert, the zoo, bicycle riding, to have dinner in their home, or spend a holiday together with them. Of course, you can invite them to do things with you too!
Feel free to ask questions and get to know your friend and their family. If they have children, spend time with them too! The more time you are able to invest in your friendship, the more rewarding and enjoyable it will be!
So take advantage of this great opportunity and get a real taste of America, and the midwest through building a great friendship!
Find out even more information about the Friendship Partner Program by downloading the Student Guidebook in word (doc) or pdf format.
