EUGENE–The University of Oregon and the Friendship Foundation for International Students, a community organization, are looking for about 25 local families and individuals to help new international students this year.

Alexandre (Sasha) Denissov from Siberia says he is very grateful for the UO’s Friendship Family program. Denissov arrived in June to start a summer research project as part of his UO doctoral degree studies in physics.

"My host family, Ila and Don Ausland, they help me so much!" Denissov exclaims. "As I arrived from another country, it could be very difficult for me to start my life here without Ila and Don.

"They helped me in finding apartments, in doing my paperwork and in many other different things. I’m very glad that they will be my host family for the next year."

The volunteer friendship families will meet their assigned international students’ overseas flights at the airport when they arrive in mid September, then introduce the new UO students to the community and the campus and to American hospitality and customs.

Sometimes the international student is the guest in the American family’s home for three or four days until their university residence hall opens or they move into their own apartment. After that, the family makes contact throughout the year to visit, to help with banking, shopping, and bus lines or to offer a home-cooked meal and friendship.

Ila Ausland says it is a great experience for the host family, too.

"You get to learn a little about another culture without leaving town. The students are so appreciative! And they are also fun and very interesting people," says Ausland. "Our family is really enjoying the experience."

The purpose of the program is to foster international understanding by providing American hospitality to international students at the university, explains Hilary Lord, UO Friendship Family coordinator. The program has helped make the UO a popular choice among international students–and their parents who feel better with a son or daughter so far away when they know a local family is watching out for them. Many of these international friendships lead later to reciprocal international visits.

Anyone who would like to volunteer or get more information can contact Lord at the UO Office of International Education and Exchange, 346-1215; e-mail, hilaryl@darkwing.uoregon.edu.

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