Host Friend Program
The Host Friend program allows international students and Americans to connect in a meaningful relationship during the international student's time of study at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Host friends assist with international student adjustment to American life and culture. The student, in turn, can offer an enriching perspective of his or her culture. The Host Friend program at UW-Eau Claire matches area families or individuals with international students. The host friend offers the student a 3-day home stay at the beginning of their studies, then stays in contact at least once a month for activities. The Host Friend program is a great way to share culture, learn about American and international customs, and expand understanding and friendship.
Why should I become a host?
- Learn more about a different country and culture without ever leaving Eau Claire
- Share your own family customs and traditions with someone who is far from home
- Promote international goodwill on a personal level
- Meet other hosts and international students at university-sponsored Host Friend events
Why should I become a host student?
- Three-day homestay upon arrival before residence hall move-in
- "Home-away-from-home" environment
- Gain a sense of non-academic life in the United States
- Experience more of genuine American culture
- Share your own traditions and promote intercultural understanding
Student comments
"Even though it's been so long since I've left home, I never thought of those disastrous words used by many international students--'HOME SICK'; the love and kindness of my host family made me wonder 'do those words even exist?' They've always made me feel like home."
-Don Gunaratne, Sri Lanka
"They treated me like a member of their family since the very beginning of my stay in America. We can talk about everything. A family in America who cares about me and who supports me...I am thankful that I had the opportunity to live, talk, and laugh with such awesome people."
-Julia Lanzinger, Austria
"One of the luckiest things that happened in this year for my life is that I can stay with this family. I experienced a lot of 'first times,' and all of my precious memories have my host family company. Thanks, my host family, a lot! They are the people who care about me and let me be involved in the real western culture."
-Chen Chen, China
"The greatest blessing that I could be thankful for ever since I left home.would be the day my host family opened their doors and lives to welcome me to live with them. I cannot describe my experience with my host family, other than that it was nothing short of AMAZING."
-Davendra Raj, Malaysia
Host comments
"For us, being a host family has been an opportunity to help provide international students with some 'typical' American life while they are here living in the dorms. We have the chance to learn about their lives and culture. The continued relationships we have with past students has also been rewarding as we continue to keep in contact."
-Donna Lehmkuhl, host
"We have always enjoyed hosting an international student. Our student from Uzbekistan has become a member of our family. My grandkids even know him by name. The foreign students I have met have given me a better perspective on the world. It's also given me a better perspective how we (the U.S.) are really perceived by others of the world. Plus, they are all just fun to talk with and get to know. They are truly fascinating people and I am better for knowing them."
-Dean Kass, host
Joining the Host Friend program
Students accepted to the university and interested in experiencing American culture through the Host Friend program should submit the student profile form. The host family coordinator at the Center for International Education will then proceed to match you with a host family of your own!
Families or individuals wishing to become host friends to an international student should submit the host family profile form.
How can I learn more?
Contact Catherine Thompson, Host Friend Program Coordinator
Center for International Education, Schofield Hall 3
(715) 836-4411 or email hostfriend@uwec.edu
