The Office of International Student and Scholar Services invites new international students and community members to participate in its Friendship Family Program.
Friendship Families are families or individuals from Binghamton University and/or the surrounding community who have expressed interest in the success and happiness of the international students who come to Binghamton to study. Quite often, the Friendship Families are familiar with diverse cultures, having visited other countries themselves.
The role of the Friendship Family is to welcome new international students to the community by offering friendship and assistance with the numerous aspects of adjusting to a new living experience such as locating special foods, securing warm clothing and explaining customs unique to the United States. In addition, Friendship Families make a special effort to reach out to students during the holidays when the campus is closed to most students. Through this family/student connection, the Friendship Family Program hopes to ease the student's feelings of loneliness and homesickness.
This flexible relationship can take many forms like a family dinner; a phone call; attending a concert, movie or a campus activity; visits with a student in his or her apartment or residence hall; or a talk over coffee or tea in a campus facility. Students are encouraged to invite their Friendship Families to the campus for events like the Family Weekend and Homecoming Weekend during the fall semester.
Note: The Friendship Family Program is a social relationship. Friendship Families do not provide housing for international students who participate in this program, nor do they provide assistance with financial or academic concerns. These are best discussed with appropriate University offices, such as the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
How To Apply for the Family Friendship Program
Student/family assignments will be determined by the information that you provide in your application form. All assignments are based on the availability of Friendship Families. If time permits, your Friendship Family will try to contact you prior to your departure from your home country or they will contact you once you arrive in Binghamton.
For families/individuals seeking an international student, complete the Family Application Form.
For international students seeking a Friendship Family, complete the Student Application Form.
