Friendship Foundation for International Students

Bridging cultures through international friendship

Newsletter Archives

  • What International Students Say About FFIS’ Short-Term Homestay Program

    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 Read more

  • Matthew Fisher – FFIS Steering Committee Chair & Treasurer

    Matthew Fisher is the current Chair and Treasurer of the FFIS Steering Committee. He and his wife Kassy hosted their first FFIS student in 2009 and Matthew joined the Steering Committee the following year.  Their now eight-year-old daughter Margot took her first steps as a one-year-old in Beppu, Japan. “Hosting international students from the UO Read more

  • June Brooks – FFIS Conversation Friend Coordinator

    June Brooks serves as our FFIS Conversation Friend Coordinator. She is originally from Ossining, New York, but has lived in Lane County for the past 37+ years.  She joined the Steering Committee in 2009 after retiring from a career of teaching special education in Cottage Grove for 23 years. June is married with two grown Read more

  • FFIS Fundraiser at Fisherman’s Market

    May 9, 2018 Fisherman’s Market will donate 20% of all sales to FFIS on Wednesday, May 9th. This includes all products including eat in, take out, seafood orders, alcohol, etc. It is an all-day fundraiser. Print the flyer below or mention “FFIS” when you order food/purchase product and FFIS gets 20%. print FFIS fundraiser flyer Read more

  • Cindee Robertson – FFIS Volunteer and Steering Committee Member

    Most volunteers with the Friendship Foundation for International Students (FFIS) have experienced life overseas and enjoy interacting with people from other countries.  That’s certainly the case with Cindee Robertson.  She spent ten years as a teacher in Nepal, Romania, and Tunisia before returning to Eugene to retire in 2014.  Working with international students is near and dear to her Read more

  • Welcome Picnic

    Each September, FFIS hosts a picnic welcoming new international students to the UO and our community. University and community leaders often attend to give our visitors a warm welcome.   Read more