NEWS

The flag parade at a Women’s Basketball game – honoring international students and their hosts.

Are you interested in connecting with individuals of different cultural backgrounds? Intrigued by the idea of swapping recipes and stories with someone from a different part of the globe? Passionate about student success at Davidson and eager to welcome a new student to the area?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions and live within 15-20 minutes of Davidson College, the International Student Host Family Program may be a perfect fit for you! The Office of International Student Engagement (ISE) is currently looking for local individuals and families interested in connecting with students from all over the world as we prepare to welcome 60-70 international students this fall.

International student Candice Lienafa with her host family little sister.

We welcome individuals and families of all types and from all backgrounds in an effort to illustrate that there is no singular U.S. family experience. After both students and prospective hosts have completed an online application, ISE spends the summer matching international students with individuals and families in the local community to have a “home away from home” during their time at Davidson.

While students live on campus and not with their host families, students engage with their hosts throughout their four years by sharing meals, exploring the local area, attending campus events together and more. Each year, host families and individuals are invited to join the international community for a variety of events on campus. Past events have included a S’mores Night, end-of-year picnics, group outings to Davidson athletics events, and a fan favorite – International Festival organized by Davidson International Association!

If you are interested in joining our host family and international community of nearly 500 students and hosts, please complete the online application available on our Host Family Program website by June 1. If you know of an individual or family that would make a great fit for the Host Family program, please consider referring them to the Host Family Program so that we can invite them to apply (or forward them this email!).

We hope you will consider connecting with a future international Wildcat through the Host Family Program and that you’ll help us spread the word within the community.