You can welcome new international students the moment they arrive in Minnesota through airport pickups and our summer hosting program. Some students need a place to stay for a few days before they can get into their apartment or dorm. You can offer a warm hand of friendship when you pick them up at the airport and offer to host them for a few nights. Long-lasting friendships often begin the day students arrive and we show them they are welcome to Minnesota.
How long will I host a student?
For summer hosting we offer a 1–5 night stay for students.
What am I expected to provide?
Room and board for the days the student is with you. And of course, friendship and the opportunity to experience American home life.
Will the students speak English?
Yes, most are more fluent in English. Some are not confident in their verbal English skills. So speaking clearly and perhaps a bit slower than you normally would will be helpful.
Do I need to be with the students all day?
No, but hopefully you can have a least one meal a day with them. They may need to go to campus during the day. If you can drop them off on campus or get them to a bus stop that will be of great.
For summer hosting we offer a 1–5 night stay for students.
What am I expected to provide?
Room and board for the days the student is with you. And of course, friendship and the opportunity to experience American home life.
Will the students speak English?
Yes, most are more fluent in English. Some are not confident in their verbal English skills. So speaking clearly and perhaps a bit slower than you normally would will be helpful.
Do I need to be with the students all day?
No, but hopefully you can have a least one meal a day with them. They may need to go to campus during the day. If you can drop them off on campus or get them to a bus stop that will be of great.
Hundreds of the world’s brightest students will arrive to the University of Minnesota soon, and they are hungry for genuine friendships. If you have an extra room in your home that you are willing to share for a week, you can enjoy a very rewarding volunteer experience that can impact eternity.
We ask host families to do 5 things:
We ask host families to do 5 things:
- Meet the student at the airport.
- Provide the student with basic hospitality for 1-5 days in July or August.
- Assist, as able and as needed, in transportation to/from the U of M campus, and help getting a bank account, cell phone, and apartment.
- Pray for the student
WHY HOST A STUDENT?
- Staying somewhere for free can meet a need while international students wait for their dorm or residence to open.
- There is freedom for you to represent Christ boldly and openly. Praying before a meal and attending church fellowships can set a valuable example.
- As a host family, you will develop a meaningful relationship with the international student(s) you are hosting.
- Hosting is a great opportunity to reach out to international students while they may feel vulnerable and uncertain in a strange, new place.