The Friendship Foundation for International Students is urgently seeking volunteers for its short-term homestay program this September.

The program is ideal for those who are interested in learning about new cultures and sharing American culture. Host families will welcome new international students to Eugene and provide support while they settle into a new environment and search for permanent housing. The average stay is five to seven days.

While the foundation is a local nonprofit organization, it works closely with International Student and Scholar Services in the Division of Global Engagement to bridge community members with UO international students and scholars.

Since its creation in 1950, the foundation has connected hundreds of people who have benefited from the cross-cultural experience programs. Alumni of the program include UO graduate Parisa Salehi, who was recently appointed by President Biden as the inspector general for the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Other volunteer opportunities within the foundation are the Conversation Friends and Share Thanksgiving programs. They provide international students and scholars the chance to practice conversational English and celebrate a traditional holiday.

Volunteers can fill out the interest form on the foundation website, which is also used to match people with similar interests. Those interested in participating in the homestay program should sign up as soon as possible.

For additional questions, contact UO liaison Becky Crabtree at ffis@uoregon.edu or by phone at 541-346-1436.

—By Kaitlyn Jimenez, University Communications