The Friendship Foundation for International Students (FFIS) provides short-term homestay programs at the beginning of the fall, winter, and spring terms. Incoming University of Oregon international students stay in a local community member’s home for 3-5 days. They then move to permanent housing in an apartment or dormitory.
This is what a student from Nepal wrote about her FFIS homestay experience:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my host family for the warm welcome they gave me when I first arrived here in Eugene. I still remember Ellen’s voice calling my name at the Eugene airport. She made me feel very comfortable at her home. I am really grateful to her and her husband for their hospitality. I had a wonderful time at her place. She helped me to become familiar with American culture by addressing all my curiosities regarding it.
It was very kind of her to host two international students at the same time. She took us for a bike ride around Eugene and taught us safety rules for riding a bike in Eugene. She has even loaned me a bike and I am still using it to commute. This bike has been very useful for me, as it not only saves my time, but also keeps me fit. As I am from a landlocked country, I was very excited when she took us to the Pacific Coast.
Even after I started living in my apartment, she frequently asked if she could help me with anything. Because of her, my transition into a new place and culture was easier than I had expected. I am lucky to have a host family like hers.
If you’d like to host an international student in FFIS’ Homestay Program, contact Becky Megerssa, UO Liaison, at 541-346-1436 or ffis@uoregon.edu.
Friendship Foundation for International Students 