Friendship Foundation for International Students

Bridging cultures through international friendship

Newsletter Archives

  • Help FFIS Raise Funds Just By Shopping at Fred Meyer!

    You can help FFIS raise needed funds just by shopping at Fred Meyer and using your Rewards Card! Here’s how the program works: Obtain a Fred Meyer Rewards card.  If you don’t have one, stop by the Customer Service desk in any Fred Meyer Store. Set up an online account for your Rewards Card, if Read more

  • Rick Obst – FFIS Volunteer, Steering Committee Member and Past Chair

    Rick Obst joined FFIS in 2007 after learning about the organization at the Asian Celebration. A few years later he joined the Steering Committee and became the Chair soon thereafter. He served as the Chair through 2015 when Paul Harvey assumed that role.  Matthew Fisher is the current Chair. His interest in international students probably Read more

  • Becky Megerssa – UO Liaison to FFIS

    I grew up in Naselle, WA, a small rural town with a population of less than 1,000, many of whom were Finnish immigrants and their descendants. I went to school with the children of first generation Finns and learned from them about the culture of sauna, afternoon tea and sweets, and the Christmas tradition of Read more

  • Craig Biersdorff – FFIS Volunteer and Steering Committee Member

    Craig Biersdorff has been an FFIS volunteer since 1988, which means he’s entering his third decade in support of our mission! In that time, Craig and his family have established friendships with 40+ international students from several dozen countries around the world. “Having lived overseas and experienced the difficulty adjusting to another culture, I felt Read more

  • A Conversation About the Conversation Friend Program

    Craig Biersdorff and June Brooks are FFIS’ Conversation Friend Coordinators.  In this post June shares her insights about the program, how it works, and how local community members can participate. What is the FFIS Conversation Friend Program? The Conversation Friend Program is a unique opportunity for FFIS volunteers to connect with an international student during the student’s first Read more

  • Susie Trant’s Experience as a Conversation Friend Volunteer

    FFIS volunteer Susie Trant shares her experience as a Conversation Friend to Juyeon Lee, the South Korean student she is matched with: As a first-time Conversation Friend volunteer, I have been delighted with the connection I’ve made with my “match.” Over these few months, Juyeon Lee and I have met almost every week for various activities: often Read more