COMMUNITY MEMBERS:
A community member is the student’s link to the larger community, providing them with a glimpse of life outside St. Olaf’s campus. You might invite the student to your home for a meal, explore Northfield or the Twin Cities together, introduce the student to your friends and family, talk on the phone, remember birthdays and other special occasions and/or attend St. Olaf events together.
Consider the life stage and mindset of a 17–20-year-old as you approach this relationship. Remember that the student might be coming to the U.S. for the first time. In addition, the student is not your private babysitter, language tutor, or cultural ambassador. It’s OK to ask the student for help, if you need it, but it isn’t their job, and it’s actually unlawful for F-1 students to engage in services for pay.
Additionally, for the safety of all program participants, those selected will be required to submit an IFP Agreement Form. Agreement forms must be received by the Taylor Center before a match with students can be made.
This is a rewarding program for both the community members and international students alike. Building cultural bridges, connecting over common interests, and creating lifelong global friendships are just a few of the benefits of the program.
If you are interested in participating in the International Friendship Program, please complete an Interest Form.
Additionally, for the safety of all program participants, those selected will be required to submit an IFP Agreement Form. Agreement forms must be received by the Taylor Center before a match with an international student can be made.
IFP Agreement Form (for Friendship Volunteers)
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Testimonials from Participants
When I began participating in the Family Friendship program four years ago, I didn’t have any idea how important Clara would become to me, or how much she and her friends’ presence would enrich my life. We developed a special relationship that I believe will be life long. I am an Ole, and participating in this program has been a wonderful way to stay connected with the college.
— Friendship Volunteer
“We said ‘yes’ to being a Friendship Family not knowing exactly what to expect, but anticipating that it would be a good experience for our whole family—and we were right about that. The experience has been a blessing for us in so many ways; we’ve learned about a new culture and have found it to be fun to share some of our own traditions through a new perspective. We’ve seen our three kids grow and learn, and they interact with our Friendship Student like a big brother. He has become part of our family, and we love that he feels comfortable with us, whether we are visiting a museum, shopping, sharing a family celebration or a meal in our home. We’re going on our fourth year together, and hope our friendship will continue.” –Northfield family
“The Friendship family program here at St. Olaf has been a great resource for me in multiple ways. I have some wonderful memories of the times I’ve spent with my Friendship family (who are Oles too) carving pumpkins in Halloween or having a great big meal in Thanksgiving. My first year in college as an international student, I was nervous about how things will work out for me. Thankfully, my Friendship family helped me immensely in adjusting in America. Be it as simple yet important as taking me to Mall of America to buy a winter coat, or inviting me to go to Minnesota Zoo just for fun, my Friendship family has helped me in every way possible to make my college life memorable, comfortable and overall much more exciting.” –Student, Nepal
“It has been a great experience getting to know our student. We have learned a bit about his home, family, and traditions, and he has joined us in some of ours as well. We are thankful for this opportunity to be a friend to him and think it’s neat for our kids to have a ‘big brother’ type relationship with him as well. It’s nice for these college students to be able to get away from campus and visit the regular happenings of ‘family life’ in town-especially when they are so far from their own homes. I hope we can keep communication open even after our friend graduates!” –Northfield family
I am grateful about the Friendship Family program at St. Olaf. As an international student it is important to connect with students on campus as much as connect to the community outside of St. Olaf. In this sense, it has been great getting to know my Friendship family. They are caring people, eager to meet new people, learn about me and my background and do anything possible to make me feel at home. The important family values that my friendship holds have given me a warm family atmosphere, far away from home. I hope the program will be as enjoyable for all students as it has been for me. –Student, Albania