Host Friend Information
What to expect
UW-Eau Claire's host friend program is an excellent opportunity to be involved with the university atmosphere, learn about a new culture, and build life-long international friendships!
As a Host Friend, you can expect to...
- Connect with an International Student and welcome them to our community
- Assist international students through their periods of transition and cultural adjustment to daily life in America
- Introduce students to Eau Claire and American culture - show students where the locals like to go and what they do for fun
- Give support during their student's first semester at UW-Eau Claire
- Ask questions and learn about your student's culture
Our Expectations of Host Friends
- Provide support to an international student during their first semester
- Connect in-person with your student at least once a month
- Introduce your student to the cultures and customs of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and the U.S.
- Learn about the culture and customs of your student and their home!
- Contact the Host Friend Program team with any concerns, if your student is not responsive, or you no longer wish to be involved in the program
Host Friends are NOT responsible for providing the following support to students
- Financial
- Housing (during the semester or school breaks)
- Healthcare
- Students have access to free health and counseling services on campus
- All students are covered through insurance that is accepted at the Mayo and Marshfield systems
- Immigration or Academic advising
We have on-campus support services for students. Please contact the Host Friend Program team if any issue or question comes up that you are not comfortable answering or don’t know the answers.
Hospitality Tips for Host Friends
We understand the initial connection and communications with students in their first semester on campus can be intimidating! Here are some tips to create a welcoming environment.
- Connect with your student through email or social media before they arrive
- Learn how to pronounce your student’s given name and practice saying it with them
- Speak distinctly but not loudly; it is more helpful to pause between sentences than to speak each word slowly
- Avoid using slang terms or idioms
- Ask your student to repeat anything you do not understand and encourage them to do the same
- Treat students as part of your home: share photographs, hobbies, and traditions
- Have students share their home life, customs, hobbies, and holiday traditions with you – even a small action you take to include those traditions in your time with a student can have a large impact
- Ask about dietary restrictions or needs
- Understand there will be cultural differences; many cultures have different values on eye contact, punctuality/timeliness, personal space, and communication styles. Please contact us if you have any questions about interactions you felt were outside of cultural differences
- If your student visits your home, give them a tour and explain how the house works (toilets, faucets, lights, showers, etc.)
- Briefly explain any family or house; a written sheet of expectations can help with understanding and remembering
Activity Ideas
Invite your student to any activities you or your household enjoy! Students want to know what every day American life is like.
- Cook a meal together – one of your favorites or one from your student’s home
- Show your favorite restaurants or ones that your student may enjoy
- Play American board or card games
- Celebrate holidays together! Both ours and your student’s
- Winters are long and cold for many of our students; but show them how much fun sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities can be!
- Visit the downtown Eau Claire Farmers Market, apple orchards, or other seasonal activities
- Welcome students into your home – many times, students just enjoy a place outside of the university where they can relax and study
- Have fun! The activities do not need to be elaborate
Interested in Becoming a Host Friend?
Fill out this form to apply!
We ask that Host Friends connect and support their international student/s once a month during the student's first semester on campus. Host Friends can continue to meet and support their students as long as they would like, but it is not expected after the student's first semester on campus. Some Host Friends do stay connected to their student throughout their entire time at UW-Eau Claire! However, our program is focused on the first semester of a new student.
No, there is not a homestay requirement for the Host Friend Program. The program used to require a homestay, but that requirement has gone away. Host Friends are still welcome to open their home to students in whatever way they and their student feel comfortable.
No. Students are asked to arrive to UW-Eau Claire on the Monday of their orientation week and are required to make their own travel arrangements to the university. The Host Friend Program used to ask Host Friends to pick up students at the Chippewa Valley Airport or Airport Shuttle Service (Groome), but that is no longer an expectation.
Yes! Some Host Friends host two or more students at once. Many who have continuing students will host additional new students in subsequent semesters.
Yes. The Center for International Education encourages interaction between host and students of all cultures. However, if there is a particular region you have a connection to we will try to match you with a student from that region.
The Center for International Education will host a Welcome Reception during orientation week of each semester. Host Friends and students will be invited to officially meet at that event.
If the Host Friend or Student cannot attend the Welcome Reception, the CIE will work with both groups to ensure they meet.
International students study at UW-Eau Claire for varying lengths of time. Some students are on a semester or year exchange, and others are degree seeking students who will be in Eau Claire for two or more years.
Host Friends may be single, married, domestic partners, retired, or families with children. Host friends live in the Chippewa Valley community and are volunteers. The only exception is that host friends cannot be current, traditional UW - Eau Claire students.
The possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Downtown Eau Claire Farmers Market
- See a movie
- Visit Oakwood Mall
- Go to the Chippewa Valley Museum
- Take the sculpture tour
- Make an American meal
- Have your student cook a traditional meal from their home country
- Play American board/card games
- Go grocery shopping
- Tour upper campus
- Visit Big Falls/Little Falls.
Remember that what may seem like a simple activity to you could be a very memorable and impactful experience to a student. For example, grocery stores are so unique to each country and students love seeing how we live our typical daily lives!
Also, keep in mind many students may be anxious to purchase toiletries or other miscellaneous school items they may not have had room for in their suitcase, so taking time for them to go purchase these items at an area store may be a good idea!
No. You are not required or obligated to house students during winter, spring, or summer break. Select residence halls are open on campus during holidays and extended breaks that are available to students.