La Crosse Friends of International Students (LFIS) Friendship Family Program

What is it?

The LFIS Friendship Family Program, in cooperation with UW-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College, is not a live-in program but rather to promote cross-cultural understanding by fostering relationships between international students and La Crosse area residents. You, as a member of the local community who are familiar with how things function in the U.S., will be able to cultivate relationships with students from other countries, enabling you to expand upon your personal experience by learning more about the ways of life in other countries and vice versa. Friendship families may help make the student’s transition into American life go more smoothly. This is often an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both families and students.

What Is Expected?

You should contact your student(s) after you are matched and invite them to your home for a meal or on an outing (shopping, touring, et cetera). You may invite them to spend American holidays with you, birthday celebrations, outings to historical sites, occupational and professional experiences, sports events, and elementary, middle and high school programs.

Testimonials

"I have two families: one at home and one here in the U.S. and I love both of my families. They are always there for me and I love spending time with them!" ~UWL student from China

"I came to UWL in 2019 on the Global UGRAD-Pakistan Exchange Program. This was my first time traveling abroad, and being away from my family and friends for a period that long. Among the first few people I got to know after arriving in the US were my host parents and the host parents of a friend of mine, whom I met through the LFIS Friendship Family Program. Little did we know, that semester was going to be full of meeting wonderful, new people from around the world in La Cross' community, and hearing their exciting stories over lots of delicious home-cooked meals! I still remember the first time I met them and how warmly they welcomed us that cold Wisconsin January. They would tell us about their experiences and be excited to hear about ours. I felt a sense of belonging and truly cared for in so many ways. I remember how my host parents took me to an orchestra performance because they remembered that I had mentioned I enjoy music and how my host mom baked and brought warm cookies when picking us up at the train station after a long trip. They would often check up on me and help me get involved in activities to make friends and engage with the community. To be able to have that trust and support system meant a lot. I have so many wonderful memories with them that I hold dear, which made saying good-bye all the more difficult once the exchange ended. But we stayed in touch and I can't wait to visit them soon! I am grateful to LFIS for making it possible for me befriend and build a connection with such kind and wonderful people, who helped me feel so welcome and home." - UWL Alum Zoya

Quote from a former LFIS Friendship Family:

We have been a friendship family for over twenty years, and we have grown so much from what we have learned from our students. Where else can you find friends from all over the world, and share experiences with right in your own home and city? From German students cooking spaetzle in our kitchen, to Japanese students reading Hello Kitty in their own language to our children, to our five Albanian students who shared stories of their country over a three hour dinner. There has been no end to the cultural enrichment our family has gained through partnering with LFIS, and we have formed lifelong friendships with many wonderful international students.  - Kimberlee Chavalas 

Please Note:

• Families are not expected to support students financially or to board these students at your home, nor are you expected to become involved in any legal issues (immigration or other issues) they may experience while in the United States.

• Families that apply for this program are expected to make a commitment to the student until the end of their first academic year, unless they are an exchange student and leave before that.

• Prospective families are expected to undergo a mandatory basic background check for the safety and comfort of our international students and Friendship Families. No substitutions will be accepted. Every individual in the home who is over the age of 18 years must complete the background check. If anyone in the home has been charged with, convicted of, pleaded guilty or no contest to, or forfeited bail for any criminal conduct under law or ordinance, and the nature of the charge or conviction is incompatible with the responsibilities of a friendship family, we reserve the right to deny placing an international student with that family.

• The family authorizes the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to obtain criminal records about adult members of the family from any source.

• During the course of the Friendship Family assignment, the family agrees to notify the International Education & Engagement (IEE) LFIS liaison, no later than the next day when any member of the family has been convicted of any crime or has been or is being investigated by any governmental agency for any act or offense. If the family fails to abide by this, we have the right to immediately terminate the family’s participation in the Friendship Family Program.

• By signing this form, you acknowledge that you will inform the International Education & Engagement (IEE) LFIS liaison below, of any criminal convictions, pleas of no contest, or pending criminal investigations or household changes since the time of your last background check.

Friendship Family Tips:

• Names are important. Your student will know you care if you earnestly try to pronounce their name correctly. Some students adopt an American name to make it easier for us. Ask which they prefer to use.

• Prior to having them over for a meal, please make certain to ask whether they have any dietary restrictions – specifically ask whether they are vegetarian (do not consume meat, fowl or seafood), abstain from pork, et cetera for religious or other reasons and try to be accommodating.

• If you have email, encourage your student(s) to use email because students have email accounts at the university. This is a good way to keep in touch. Try to set a pattern of calling or emailing your student once or twice a week to see how they are doing.

• Encourage your student to join you at least four times a semester for some activity. A home cooked meal is always good. Frequent visits will help your family and the student feel comfortable together and have a more rewarding experience.

Questions may be directed to the IEE LFIS Liaison Miranda Panzer at mpanzer@uwlax.edu or 608-785-8823 or to LFIS President Lisbeth Reynertson at reynerts.lisb@eagle.uwlax.edu.

If you are interested in becoming a friendship family for a student(s) at UW-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College please complete the following form and return it via email or mail using the contact information below.

Miranda Panzer

International Education & Engagement

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

1725 State Street; 1140 Centennial Hall

La Crosse, WI 54601

mpanzer@uwlax.edu