Are you acquainted with the International Friendship Program (IFP) at Purdue? Would you be interested in being a friend to a Colombian student?
Last June in IFP we welcomed 24 Colombian undergraduate students, here at Purdue for a special six month research program. Each student was matched with a local family/single and students were invited to hotdog roasts, baseball and football games, family dinners, theater, movies – and the list goes on!
On June 14, a new group of 49 Colombian students will be arriving, and all but three males students have been matched with a family. I am looking for three local families or singles willing to be a friend to one of these students.
In IFP you are matched with a student and agree to meet about once a month for a semester, doing things you would normally do with a friend: take them shopping, invite them into your home and include them in family events and outings.
Last year, the Colombian students said – without exception – time spent with their friendship partner/family was THE HIGHLIGHT of their time here. One student said that “never in [his] wildest dreams did [he] think [he] would be invited to someone’s home.” One IFP family said having their Colombian student was one of the best things they did last year!
Would you like to learn more? Click here to see pics of available students! Is there one you would like to get to know? If you let me know today your first and second choice, I will save a match for you and look for a time to meet with you to share some cultural tips for relating to your Colombian student. We’d like to have everyone matched as soon as possible so you have time to email your student before arrival.
We are planning a welcome picnic on June 15 for students and families to meet each other for the first time, a mid-semester get together (with Colombian food cooked by the students) and December poster and symposium sessions where each student will share about their semester research project. Students will leave for home on December 15.
Thanks in advance for your interest in this exciting program. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Beth Tucker | Coordinator of International Friendship Program
Office of International Programs
Purdue University
Phone: 765-494-9225
Email: [email protected]