The Friendship Foundation for International Students (FFIS) Homestay Program matches University of Oregon international students with local community volunteers for a short-term homestay when the student first arrives in Lane County. Volunteers open their hearts and homes to young adults far from home, helping them to get oriented and settled. The friendships built during that brief period often last well beyond when the student has returned to their native country. Homestay families have created many fond memories for the students that they’ve hosted.
FFIS families hosted 95 incoming international students prior to the start of the 2018 fall term. This is what some of the students had to say about their host family and their experiences in the Homestay Program:
What was the most rewarding part of your FFIS homestay?
They are very kind and talk to me a lot. I love them! (Japan)
Communication with the family. That’s great and I know more about the culture and Eugene. (China)
To have an amazing American family here to help you adjusting to this new country and discovering Eugene. (France)
That my host family took the time to get to know me and do trips with me, e.g. to Spencer’s Butte and Newport. (Germany)
Feeling like home in Eugene. Knowing that there’s someone who cares for you. (Myanmar)
They’re so friendly and they took me to shopping and help to move into the dorm. They also told me that they could take me to the store if they’re going. They’re so nice. (China)
My host family helps me to discover a part of Eugene: Saturday Market, Spencer Butte… I taste some American things. They were really sweet! (France)
Being placed with possibly the nicest people I have met, who went well and truly out of their way to accommodate me and anything I needed to prepare me for college. (Australia)
I could interact with local people so closely and deepen my knowledge about Eugene and UO. (Japan)
Getting to know Eugene and the American culture better. They brought me around and have me a very deep insight into life as a duck. (Singapore)
Sitting together and talking, sailing, eating together, shopping together… (Germany)
Most of all, I could take a rest after a long trip without any concerns like finding a hotel, unfamiliar food and safety. Also, they made an effort for me to fit in Eugene. They took me places needed for everyday living, which are like Asian restaurants, groceries, a local market, a fair, and park. In the process, they tried to let me learn the area and way to campus from my apartment. Besides, they have a lot of information about school life and always answered to my question about cultural difference. (South Korea)
They are kind, patient, helping me a lot like set up an account here and buy the SIM card. And took me to many places to have fun. (Taiwan)
Dan and Jan Smith were very warm and welcoming. They went out of the way to make sure I got all the support to get going. Dan took me to various places to buy the essential goods and Jan went out of her way to cook excellent food with Indian taste. All my anxieties of moving to a new country were taken care of in the best possible way. (India)
I got to experience Eugene as a local. (England)
They told me that I am a member of their family!! I was so happy to hear that. (Japan)
My host family were very kind people. They offered me nice campus tour and helped me to buy some living stuff. Their warm welcome really encouraged me. (South Korea)
They were so kind and helpful, and I could rely on them. (Japan)
They are really friendly. Although they are busy for jobs, they still took good care of me. When I was upset, they gave me a lot of advice and encouragement. (Taiwan)
My host family expressed their excitement meeting me right at the first minute. They were always so keen on hearing more about my country and background. Likewise, I found it very interesting listening to their stories. I enjoyed every minute of your talks! (Uzbekistan)
My hosts are the some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. Each day they had some other activity planned for us to do together. They are also very knowledgeable about Eugene and I especially enjoyed our discussions about politics, food, and music. (India)
They took me to the bank and shopping to prepare for dorm life. And also they were so kind so I could adapt to my new life smoothly. (South Korea)
They took me to many convenient places and gave me some information in Eugene, such as shopping malls, restaurants, and transportation. So now I could have a confidence to live in my dorms by myself. (Japan)
To have regarded me as one of their family. (Japan)
I got the opportunity to learn American culture. Thanks to them, I will be able to adopt Eugene easily. My host family is very kind to me, so even after finishing FFIS homestay, they helped me and they invite me to some events! (Japan)
Getting to know people from a different culture and spending time talking with them. (Mexico)
They were very kind to me. (Italy)
The most rewarding part is that they welcomed me with heartwarming hospitality. During the stay, I could feel their love to me. I was just one foreign girl who don’t know anything about the American life, but they showed me how they live their lives and what the American culture is like. They gave me so much love that I can’t even describe it all. For almost 10 days, they helped me in many ways. When I need something, they just gave me what they have or helped me to get it. They tried to show their culture or family tradition and tell me about their lives so that I can relate to them more easily. I really appreciate them for all their help. (South Korea)
I could learn about everyday conversation in English. I have been able to know about the Eugene through talking and visiting nice places with my FFIS host family. (Japan)
Judging from these comments, FFIS host families once again opened their warm hearts and hospitable homes to young students far from their home and made them feel welcome and loved. Their short-term hosting definitely created lasting fond memories for the student(s) that they hosted!
There are usually far more students wanting a homestay experience than there are available host families. If you’re not yet a volunteer, but are interested in learning more about the program, read the FAQ page or e-mail FFIS@UOregon.edu.
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