WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM?
The International
Friendship Program is a matching program between international students at Fresno State with area community members. The sole
purpose of the program is to develop cross-cultural friendships. It is NOT a live-in program. Participants are simply
asked to meet together a few times during the course of the semester for coffee, a meal, movies, shopping, etc. to develop
their cross-cultural friendship and to share about their respective cultures. Students
who choose to participate in the program are those who are genuinely interested in developing friendships.
WHAT ARE
MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A PROGRAM
PARTICIPANT?
Participants are simply asked to:
1) Get together a few times throughout the semester
2) Maintain
regular contact via phone and email.
3) Respect the other person's
culture, beliefs, religion, customs, etc.
There is
no financial obligation (meaning you may go "dutch treat").
HOW WILL I BENEFIT?
You will benefit in countless ways including:
1) Broadening your horizons
2) Gaining a new level of understanding
about yourself and the United States
3) Knowing you helped an
international student understand more about Americans and the American culture (as a type of "cultural ambassador"
or "bridge")
Other benefits could include learning a new
language or brushing up on a foreign language, traveling to visit your new friend in his/her own country, and the rewards
of friendship throughout the years.
WHAT IS THE
LENGTH OF COMMITMENT?
Participants
are asked to maintain the cross-cultural friendship for one school year (August - May). However, if circumstances change which
would prevent you from keeping this commitment, please notify both your international friend and the program coordinator.
SOUNDS
LIKE A WONDERFUL PROGRAM. HOW DO I SIGN UP?
There is a two-step
process: 1) fill out a FRIEND application and 2) attend a brief orientation.
NOTE: If you want to be assigned a new student at any time,
you will need to contact us.
HOW DO I OBTAIN AN APPLICATION?
You may either... Download a friendship partner application (see below)
WHAT'S THE PROCESS?
Fill out an application to become a friendship partner and return it to the
IFP Match Coordinator
Once your application has been received, you will be invited to attend an Orientation Session where all
your questions will be answered
Attend the Orientation Session and then wait for an information packet with your
student's name and contact information
DOWNLOADS & EMAIL LINKS
