What is the International Friendship Program?

The International Friendship Program is a matching program between international student/scholars/spouses at NC State with area community members. The sole purpose of the program is to develop cross-cultural friendships. Participants are simply asked to meet together once a month throughout the school year for coffee, movies, shopping, etc. to develop their cross-cultural friendship and to share about their respective cultures.

There is no home stay or financial obligation.

*An application and brief orientation is required before joining the program.

You can contact the Office of International Services (515-2961) to find out the next orientation date, or you will be contacted about an orientation when OIS receives your application. Thank you!

FAQ for International Students

Thank you for your interest in the International Friendship Program. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call the Office of International Services at (919) 515-2961:

What is the International Friendship Program?

This program matches individuals, couples and families in the Raleigh community with international students and scholars at NC State University for the sole purpose of cross-cultural friendship. For this reason, participants are referred to as "friends" and not "host families."

NOTE: The International Friendship Program is NOT a dating service. Single persons will be matched with persons of the same sex. Also, the International Friendship Program is NOT a tool for religious recruitment/evangelism/proselytizing. The cornerstone of the program is RESPECT and all participants are expected to respect the beliefs, religion, and customs of all individuals.

What are my responsibilities as a program participant?

Participants are simply asked to:
1) Get together once a month - invite your friend to do activities with you!
2) Maintain regular contact via phone and email.
3) Respect the other person's culture, beliefs, religion, customs, etc.
4) Complete an evaluation form at the end of the year

Invite your community friend to do activities with you such as ice cream or coffee on Hillsborough Street, movies at the campus theater, concerts on campus, etc. (Remember that all events with admission are to be "dutch treat" which means you pay your way and the community friend pays for him/herself). REMEMBER: "To HAVE a friend, you must first BE a friend" (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Simply BE a friend to your American friend!

What is the length of commitment?

Participants are asked to maintain the cross-cultural friendship for one school year (August - May). However, if circumstances change which would prevent you from keeping this commitment, please notify both your international friend and the Program Coordinator.

Sounds like a wonderful program and a great way for me to meet Americans. How do I sign up?

There is a two-step process: 1) fill out an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT/SCHOLAR application available on-line or in Daniels 204 and 2) attend an IFP orientation held regularly throughout the semester (you will be notified by email of upcoming orientation meetings). You will be matched with a friend only after you have completed both of these steps.

How long will it take to be matched with a friend?

Participants are matched as soon as possible but please be patient; sometimes the process can take up to 6 weeks or more (after attending an orientation). Please do not hesitate to call OIS to check on the status of your application.

FAQ for Americans/Community Residents

Thank you for your interest in the International Friendship Program. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call the Office of International Services at (919) 515-2961.

What is the International Friendship Program?

This program matches individuals, couples and families in the Raleigh community with international students and scholars at NC State University for the sole purpose of cross-cultural friendship. For this reason, participants are referred to as "friends" and not "host families."

NOTE: The International Friendship Program is NOT a dating service. Single persons will be matched with persons of the same sex. Also, the International Friendship Program is NOT a tool for religious recruitment/evangelism/proselytizing. The cornerstone of the program is RESPECT and all participants are expected to respect the beliefs, religion, and customs of all individuals.

What are my responsibilities as a program participant?

Participants are simply asked to:
1) Get together once a month
2) Maintain regular contact via phone and email.
3) Respect the other person's culture, beliefs, religion, customs, etc.
4) Complete an evaluation form at the end of the year

Simply include your international student/scholar in your regular activities such as grocery shopping, going to the movies or grabbing a cup of coffee. There is no home stay or financial obligation (meaning you go "dutch treat").

How will I benefit?

You will benefit in countless ways including:
1) Broadening your horizons
2) Gaining a new level of understanding about yourself and the United States
3) Knowing you helped an international student/scholar understand more about Americans and the American culture (as a type of "cultural ambassador" or "bridge")

Other benefits could include learning a new language or brushing up on a foreign language, traveling to visit your new friend in his/her own country, and the rewards of friendship throughout the years.

What is the length of commitment?

Participants are asked to maintain the cross-cultural friendship for one school year (August - May). However, if circumstances change which would prevent you from keeping this commitment, please notify both your international friend and the program coordinator.

Sounds like a wonderful program. How do I sign up?

There is a two-step process: 1) fill out a FRIEND application and 2) attend a brief 30-45 minute orientation.

Where and when is orientation held?

Orientation usually takes place in Daniels Hall, Room 320 on the NC State campus. Orientations are scheduled regularly throughout the semester, usually around the lunch hour. The Coordinator will contact you about the next upcoming orientation. Feel free to bring your lunch with you. Small children are also welcome (please bring toys for them to play with). NOTE: If there is a group of 6 or more interested/potential participants (preferably 10-12 people), the office will arrange an off-campus orientation at your convenience and location.

I'd love to have more than one international student as a friend. How many can I be assigned?

You can be assigned up to 2 international students/scholars per year. This means at the beginning of the school year, you can be assigned up to two more students/ scholars. Please notify the office of your interest in being assigned additional students/scholars.

NOTE: If you want to be assigned a new student at any time, you will need to contact OIS.