International Students
International Friendship Family Program (IFFP)

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 (for 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! Download application here (.doc)

Connecting with your student (for 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)