Tag: Friendship Foundation for International Students
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FFIS News for October 2018
A new University of Oregon school year has begun and FFIS has been active in welcoming new international students and scholars to our community through our short-term homestay program and Welcome Picnic. We’d like to share some information about what’s been happening and remind you about our upcoming fundraiser at Fisherman’s Market on Monday, Oct.…
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Suzanne Dassenko – FFIS Volunteer, Steering Committee Member and Secretary
Suzanne Dassenko and her husband Bill joined FFIS in 2010 when they hosted a young lady from Singapore before the winter term started. She joined the Steering Committee in 2011 and has been a very active member and volunteer since. My friend, who hosted students for 35+ years, told me I’d like it and that…
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Tomomi Kurosaki – Lane Community College Liaison to FFIS
My name is Tomomi Kurosaki (黒崎友美) and I was born and raised in Japan. Since I was little, my dream was to learn English. So, I decided to move to the U.S. right after graduating from high school. I took some ESL (English as a Second Language) courses and completed an Associate degree in Hawaii.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
Friendship Foundation for International Students 