International Friendship Family Program (IFFP)
Quick steps to join the program
Warm Greetings to Colleagues and International Friendship Families New & Returning!
I want to express the sincere hope that this finds you and your loved ones healthy and well. As you know, we did not run our International Friendship Family host program last academic year, and instead used that quiet time to support our international students in-house and reflect on ways to strengthen this wonderful initiative that matches students from abroad with a local “host” family. I write this morning for two reasons: first, to give you a brief update about the structure of our IFFP and second to recruit new and returning Skidmore Friendship Family Hosts in the hope that we can safely run our program this Fall.
Our brief update: after much consideration, SAS will move forward by recruiting only Skidmore faculty and staff as host families. This is for a number of health and safety reasons, only underscored by a global pandemic. Many colleges have long run their host programs by recruiting internally, and we agree that this is wise. Some reassurance for our enthusiast and generous non-Skidmore host families: we continue to welcome and deeply appreciate our current non-Skidmore hosts! However, new non-Skidmore families will not be recruited going forward.
Onward to our Fall 2021 semester: as you can imagine, we are working hard to prepare for the international Class of 2025, who face unprecedented travel, visa, and other challenges right now. While we do everything we can to support them, the difficult reality we face is that not all who wish to come to campus will make it. The international students who DO arrive will be excited, relieved, at least a little tired, and eager to engage. We want them to feel warmly welcomed into our remarkable community, and many of you have been a big part of that effort! So, I am writing to find out who would like to share a walk through the state park, a coffee break on the veranda, or maybe even a day hike with a young person from abroad?
Even just a little of your time, knowledge and friendship would make a huge difference in the lives of our newest international students.
Skidmore’s International Friendship Family Program (IFFP) is largely self-directed, meaning that we welcome individuals and families with varying degrees of availability. Some Friendship Families see their students many times each semester, while others develop a once or twice per semester meet up (or Zoom!) routine. If health and safety concerns permit, Skidmore will organize planned group activities as well.
Due to wanting everyone to feel safe and comfortable, we strongly encourage outdoor meet-ups, mask wearing, and any other safety precautions that reassure all involved.
If you wish to take on a new student, or join the program for the first time, please fill out the attached form and email it to me at cjaleel@skidmore.edu.
With many thanks in advance for all of your generosity and support!
Chloe
Information for Hosts
Two or three times each year, students and families will gather in formal yet casual events (i.e. potlucks or picnics) to meet other students and families. Host families and individuals will also invite their friendship family student to activities and events of diversity that reflects your collective interests. As a friendship family, you provide a perspective on American culture, which the students may not experience on campus, by including the student in informal dinners, holiday celebrations, an occasional family outing, or any event that adds to the richness of the international student's experience in the United States.
The relationship with your student will last a minimum of four years, but may continue for many more beyond that, the International Friendship Family connection is a casual one that will help international Skidmore students feel welcomed into the Saratoga Springs community. The Friendship Family Program is not a residential hosting program for students, but a relational program mutually beneficial to participants in learning about cultures and communities. The friendship families are not sponsors and should never be expected to provide financial assistance.
Based on the application and a review of mutual interests, families and students will be matched prior to the commencement of the fall semester. Families will remain assigned to their student until he/she graduates. Families then interested in requesting a new student may be assigned a first-year student based on availability and demand.
Why You Should Participate - Hosts
Would you or your family like to learn about another country or culture without leaving your home? Would you like to provide a relationship with a bright young scholar that can help them prevent homesickness and loneliness? Would you like to introduce an international student to American culture and traditions?
If so then join our International Friendship Family Program and become a host family or host parent to an international student at Skidmore!
Connecting with your student - Hosts
There are many ways to connect with your Friendship Family student and here are just a few:
- Birthdays- every student has one, find out when it is and celebrate their day
- Music/Arts/Athletics- attend an event in which your student participates, they would love to have someone they know in the audience.
- Grocery shopping- help your student locate food from hom as well as introduce them to goodies available locally.
- Hang out and chat about interests you have in common.
- . . .and many more. Download our copy of "Making Connections" (.doc)
Information for Students
Two or three times each year, students and families will gather in formal yet casual events (i.e. potlucks or picnics) to meet other students and families. Host families and individuals will also invite their friendship family student to activities and events of diversity that reflects your collective interests. Friendship families provide a perspective on American culture, which the students may not experience on campus, by including the student in informal dinners, holiday celebrations, an occasional family outing, or any event that adds to the richness of the international student's experience in the United States.
The relationship with your family will last at least until you graduate, but may continue for many more beyond that, the International Friendship Family connection is a casual one that will help international Skidmore students feel welcomed into the Saratoga Springs community. The Friendship Family Program is not a residential hosting program for students, but a relational program mutually beneficial to participants in learning about cultures and communities. The friendship families are not sponsors and should never be expected to provide financial assistance.
Based on the application and a review of mutual interests, families and students will be matched prior to the commencement of the fall semester. Students will remain assigned to their family until you graduate.
Why You Should Participate - Students
Would you like to make your experience in the U.S. more exciting and fulfilling? Become a special member of a local family and have a family away from home? Share your culture, traditions and country with a local family?
If so then join our International Friendship Family Program NOW!
Enrich your stay at Skidmore and in Saratoga Springs and help ease your adjustment into a new culture. Along the way make lifelong friendships and enlighten others about your culture, background and experiences.
Download Sign up Form for Students (PDF)
Student Participant Expectations
- students DO NOT live with local hosts (unless a short stay is invited)
- students do not have any financial obligations for their hosts, and hosts do not have any financial obligations for their student
- please maintain timely contact with your host, reply to emails or phone calls