 The Davidson College Host Family Program provides a caring "home away from home" experience for Davidson's international students who would like to build a friendship with a local family. American families “adopt” international students to learn from them and to love them as sojourners in our country. The International Student Office matches families with international students from around the globe. All international students live on campus or in campus housing.
Who may participate in the Host Family Program?
Host Families range from single individuals to families with children. They are active members of the community and have a desire to learn more about another culture. Host families and international students keep in contact with each other for the duration of their stay. We have one-year international exchange students as well as international students who will be here for their entire four-year education. Ideally, families and students should meet at least once a month, but keep in contact with each other on a more regular basis.
What are the host family's responsibilities?
- Pick your student up from the Charlotte airport when he/she first arrives
- Bring him/her to the International Student Orientation (in August) at Davidson
- Communicate with your student on a regular basis
- Plan an activity with your student whenever it is convenient
- Invite the student into your home
- Learn about the student’s culture and country
- Be a friend to your host student
- Notify the International Student Office if you are unable to continue in the program
- Participate in Host Family events whenever possible
- You are NOT financially responsible for your student
What is the student's role?
- Communicate with his/her family on a regular basis
- Accept invitations from the host family whenever possible
- Return all phone calls/e-mails from the host family
- Share his/her culture with the host family, and learn from the family about their culture
- Notify the International Student Office if he/she is unable to continue in the program
- Participate in Host Family events whenever possible
What are some of the Host Family events? The International Student Office organizes events for students and their host families. These events are fun opportunities to spend time with your "adopted" student, meet his/her friends, and socialize with other host families from the area. In the past, these events have included: cookouts at the Davidson College Lake Campus, hayrides, ice cream socials, family bowling, cruise/luncheon on the Catawba Queen, Charlotte Bobcats games, Charlotte Checkers games, etc.
What are some fun activities for host families and their students?
- Celebrate a birthday
- Visit the Lazy 5 Ranch
- Serve a family dinner
- Attend a Davidson College sporting event
- Dine out
- Go to Carowinds
- Catch a movie
- See the Christmas lights
- Go to the International Festival-UNCC
- Play a board game
- Go to the Renaissance Festival
- Attend a Charlotte Bobcats basketball game
- Share the holidays together
- Visit Old Salem
- Go to the Charlotte Farmer's Market
- Make ice cream sundaes
- Go to the symphony
- Take a trip
- Go ice skating
- Attend a Charlotte Knights or Kannapolis Intimidators baseball game
- Visit the Biltmore Estate
- Go snow skiing or sledding
- See a play
- Go to Discovery Place
- Hike a mountain
- Dress up for Halloween
- Canoe at the lake
- Visit Reed's Gold Mine
- Go to the NC Zoo
- Go bike riding
- Spend a day at the lake
- Visit the Raptor Center
- Attend a concert
- Go shopping
- Visit a museum
- Visit Latta Plantation
- Attend a Charlotte Checkers hockey game
Want to be a host family? If you are interested in being a Host Family for an international student, please complete the Host Family Program Background Information Form and e-mail it to: Carol Sandke, Host Family Program Coordinator (704-894-2497)
or
Anna-Marie Siegel, International Student Advisor (704-894-2010) You can also fax to 704-894-2120 or mail to:
Davidson College
Campus Box 7184
Davidson, NC 28035-7184 The International Student Office is located on the first floor of Duke Residence Hall. Host Family Applications are due in the International Student Office by June 1. Shortly thereafter students and families are paired together. Usually, by early July the student and host family are e-mailed each other's contact information. Please feel free to contact us, with questions.
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