Our Programs

We invite local community members to become involved in our programs and befriend a University of Oregon international student or scholar. If you are interested check out the general links below, then fill out a New Member Application. We will contact you with information regarding a new member orientation. After your orientation we will match you up with an international visitor!

Short-Term Homestay

Volunteers in the Eugene-Springfield community open their homes to new international students and scholars at the beginning of each academic term. Students and scholars usually arrive in Eugene 4 - 6 days prior to the International Student Orientation and need a place to stay before residence halls open or while they look for off-campus housing. Community members can help orient international visitors and help make their transition to this new environment as comfortable as possible. Volunteers are also welcome to continue on as an international friend for the remainder of the year. This program provides both the volunteer and the international visitor with an opportunity to learn about another culture as well as create a lifelong friendship.

“Friendships often last long past graduation…The reason for our second honeymoon trip around the world was to visit five of our former students.” – Bob Stephensen, longtime FFIS member

Community/International Friend

Volunteers in the Community/International Friend Program offer hospitality and friendship the U of O international students and scholars throughout the year. Community members and their international friend decide on the activities and amount of time spent together. It is meant to be an educational, fun and flexible program. Community/International Friends often participate in, but are not limited to, the following activities with their friend:
•    Help orient visitor when they first arrive
•    Invite visitor for dinner or holidays
•    Take visitor on day trips to the coast or mountains
•    Help student adjust to life in American society

International friends are assigned after volunteers have applied to the program and completed an orientation. This program provides volunteers and international visitors to share their culture and community and promotes personal diplomacy.

Conversation Friend

In this program volunteers meet for one hour a week with an international student or scholar to practice conversational English. This hour a week can significantly help a student or scholar improve their everyday conversation skills, while providing both individuals an opportunity to learn about another culture. Conversation friends may spend their time cooking, shopping, visiting the Saturday Market or going to the library -- the activities are as varied as the individuals who participate in them.

If you are interested in any of the above programs, please click here for a new member application or contact Becky Megerssa.