International Friendship Program looking for host families, holding online sessions

Many Purdue faculty and staff and their families have found a flexible, rewarding relationship with an international student through the University's International Friendship Program housed in the Office of International Students and Scholars. 

This year, COVID-19 provides new opportunities and challenges for host-student involvement as some new international students this fall will be attending Purdue online while others will be attending Purdue on campus.

For the 2020-21 academic year, some hosts will be interacting with their students online during the fall semester and meeting up in person during the spring semester. Others will be able to meet with their students in the fall and spring semesters while observing social distancing and other health and safety guidelines, such as the wearing of face masks, to keep participants safe. 

This year, new hosts will be able to view a new host orientation online and then register to attend a live new host Q&A session to learn more about what online and in-person meetings will look like this year.    

IFP participants are encouraged to meet monthly with their assigned student over the student's first year at Purdue. Whether online or in person, hosts typically invite their students into their everyday lives. Participants love the program – students for the opportunity to connect with people outside any academic and work roles at Purdue, and hosts for the sheer wonder and delight cross-cultural friendships bring.

Faculty and staff can view the new host orientation online.

Registration for the WebEx new host Q&A sessions is available online. Upon registration, participants will be sent a link to join the WebEx meeting. 

* June 25 (Th): Noon-1 p.m.  
* June 25 (Th): 7-8 p.m. 
* July 1 (W): Noon-1 p.m.
* July 1 (W): 7-8 p.m.  

Those who have participated in IFP before and would like to be matched with a new student for 2020-21 will receive an email invitation later this month. 

Visit the International Friendship Program webpage or email IFP coordinator Beth Tucker at friendship@purdue.edu for more information.