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. 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 (for 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.