Information for Students
- Have you recently arrived in Morgantown?
- Is this your first visit to the United States?
- Would you like to learn more about American family life?
- Would you like to become part of a family here?
If you answered yes to the questions above, you may be interested in the Friends of International Students Program.
The Friends of International Students Program offers you a unique opportunity to learn about American family life outside the classroom. These new “friends” can offer much welcomed hospitality and friendship. They can also help ease adjustment to and provide understanding of life in West Virginia.
The Friends of International Students Program offers the possibility of a mutually rewarding relationship between the American family and the international student, giving each the opportunity to learn from the other.
This program does not involve providing housing. You will be included in some typical family activities. For example, you will probably be invited to a typical informal dinner, visit local places of interest, or just watch a favorite TV show and “hang out” at your host’s home.
Most international visitors’ knowledge of this country is gathered from movies, newspaper headlines, and modern literature. You will discover that these do not always give a true characterization of life in the United States. It is hoped that by comparing differences and similarities between your culture and U.S. culture, both you and your host will have a rewarding cross-cultural experience.
Because relationships have to be nurtured, you and your host family are requested to maintain a monthly contact for one year, even if it is only a note or a telephone call. Your active participation is vital to the success of this program so it is important that you think realistically about your academic commitments before signing up for a host family.
We attempt to match students to their host family on the basis of common interests, and as soon as possible after you have requested to participate in the program.
The program is fun, it’s interesting, and it works. All you need is the desire to learn about American culture while in turn sharing your culture with your host family.