“I love this program. It is an opportunity for Mary and me to make friends with Yale international students and learn about their studies, interests, country and culture. It has been a wonderful way to broaden our knowledge of another culture and country, to hear a "local" perspective on their country's events in the news and to learn how they view world events. We are hosting our third student this year and they have all been terrific.” -- Arthur Hunt, Yale ITS

Each year Yale University welcomes a large number of international students from countries across the globe. Adjusting to a new environment can be difficult for these newly arrived individuals (and their families), and a contact in the local community can be a great source of support during this transition. The Community Friends Program assists in the arrival process by matching members of the Yale and Greater New Haven community to serve as hosts to incoming international students. The program helps the students get accustomed to life in the US, gives hosts the opportunity to learn about other cultures and perspectives, and plants the seeds for a potentially life-long friendship.

The time commitment will vary depending on the relationship developed between the student and host. At a minimum, the host is expected to be in touch with the student prior to arrival and throughout the academic year, to welcome the new student as he or she arrives on campus, and to invite him or her to share an occasional meal, family event, or holiday activity during the student’s first year. The Office of International Students and Scholars also organizes events for students and hosts during each semester. If the experience is mutually enjoyable, and it usually is, the friendship endures throughout the student’s academic program and beyond.

The Community Friends Program is not a home stay program and students do not live with their hosts. The purpose of the program is solely to foster cross cultural friendships and introduce Yale international students to the Greater New Haven community. For more information about the program contact Abigail Borchert at abigail.borchert@yale.edu or at 432-2305.

If you are interested in applying to be a host, please click here.

If you are an international student interested in participating, click here.

Click here for our program brochure