The FFIS Homestay Program matches international students with local community volunteers for a short-term homestay when the student first arrives in Lane County. Volunteers open their hearts and home to young adults far from home, helping them to get oriented and settled. The friendships built during that brief period often last well beyond when the student has returned to their native country. Homestay families have created many fond memories for the students that they’ve hosted.
FFIS host families hosted 95 incoming international students prior to the start of the fall term. This is what some of the host families had to say about their experience hosting an incoming international student:
What was the most rewarding part of hosting?
Getting to know these two incredible young women. Hearing about their lives at home and their plans for their futures. We also love their excitement and their joy about being in Eugene and about to start their studies at the U of O. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
Shota was excellent and was very easy to have in the house. It is always enjoyable being the landing place for students when they are first arriving.
Meeting new people and sharing cultures and food.
Meeting people from all over the world, making new friends, learning their culture, but most of all blessing them by easing their tensions and anxieties of starting school in a new country and school.
Making new friends.
Learning new perspectives, from the lens of another country. Meeting young people from other countries. Learning about other cultures.
Getting to know this remarkable young woman from Uzbekistan and admiring her intelligence, maturity and sense of humor. She taught us so much about the history of the Silk Road, the Mongols and Genghis Khan. We enjoy learning about other cultures and maintaining relationships with the students while they’re in Eugene and beyond. We also love having them share their cuisine with us.
Learning about other cultures.
Learning about new cultures and countries and how they do things.
Getting to know this wonderful woman from France and spending time with her, hiking, showing her around Eugene and getting her set up at the U of O.
We always love meeting people from other countries and cultures.
The opportunity to learn about the student & their culture.
Our student was very sweet and appreciative of our help and hospitality. She enjoyed shopping and chose her purchases very carefully. Since I like shopping, this was an activity we could share.
Our student is so nice!
The whole experience was a delight.
Knowing that I helped someone.
Getting acquainted with each student and learning about their life, home, and culture.
There are usually more students wanting a homestay experience than there are available host families. FFIS provides short-term homestay experiences for the fall, winter, and spring terms. If you’re not yet a volunteer, but are interested in learning more about the program, read the FAQ page or e-mail FFIS@UOregon.edu.
Friendship Foundation for International Students 