Dartmouth's Friendship Family Program (FFP) gives new international undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to become acquainted with local families in the Upper Valley. Sponsored by International Student Programs-OPAL, the Friendship Family Program pairs students with host families who welcome them to the U.S. and help them adjust to college life at Dartmouth. Students and families get to know one another through occasional visits to host families' homes, going on outings, attending FFP events, and spending special occasions together. The FFP experience provides students with a unique "window into American culture," as well as gives families the opportunity to benefit from Dartmouth's extremely diverse international community.
"I have loved my FFP experience. My family opened their home to me, they have provided me with a support base and invited me to participate in American traditions I would never have experienced otherwise. The Friendship Family Program is great!"-- Janine Leger '15
"Adapting to a new environment can be challenging, and your first impression of the college can end up defining your opinion for the next 4 years. The care and support from a warm and loving family has definitely made me perceive Dartmouth as a close-knit community. From the open conversations and the delicious home-made meals provided by my friendship family, I've no doubt felt at home even whilst living in a foreign country." - Yannick Yu, '15
"I am really grateful to this program for giving me a home away from home. The warmth, love and support that I receive from every member of my friendship family helps me get through all my tough times here alone in USA. We celebrate our cultural differences and there is always so much to learn from their way of life. We always end up learning so much more about each other and our countries. In spite of all the differences, I can happily say that they have accepted me as a part of their extended family and so have I. My association with them will go long way even after Dartmouth. Please continue this amazing Friendship Family Program as it makes this whole experience much more heart-warming and complete."--Kirti Khopkar, Graduate Student, Thayer School of Engineering
“The International Friendship Family Program has been a wonderful opportunity for our family. We now know two students who come from places far removed from the Upper Valley whose perspectives on Dartmouth and on the United States are refreshing and interesting. Our daughters have made a personal connection to the global community. We have all made lifelong friends. I would recommend the International Friendship Family Program to anyone in the Upper Valley who is interested in exploring the diverse and fascinating world we live in, one student at a time.” – Kate Soule, Dean of the Faculty Office
“I like my Friendship Family. I feel I have definitely made a friend for life and a better match could not have been made. Thanks very much to everyone at the International Student Programs office who matched us, and I hope to keep in touch with her well beyond the Program and Dartmouth!!” – Toyin Abifarin, Graduate Student, Thayer School of Engineering
"Our FFP was enthusiastic about learning about the US and enjoyed participating in various quintessentially American activities: e.g. cider pressing, Thanksgiving, Dartmouth hockey and baseball games. We really enjoyed seeing the US through his eyes. He was also generous in talking about his own country and culture (Republic of China)."--Sophia and Fred Crawford
"The Friendship Family program has been a wonderful gift for our family while our three kids were growing and even now that they are out and on their own and my husband and I are the only ones participating. We have gotten to know a Tuck student and his wife from Japan, a wonderful student from Ghana (also a great dancer with SHEBA) who is now working for ORACLE, a lovely young woman from Greece who is now working in Washington, D.C. and this year we are getting acquainted with a freshman from Karachi, Pakistan and a wonderful young woman from Beijing who is a graduate student at the Thayer school. Every one, without exception, has been bright, generous with their time and often with gifts for the family, and very appreciative of our family's effort to introduce them to a slice of America. Our time commitment in the program has not been great over the years but it has been time SO well spent. We still stay in touch with some of our students and have gotten to meet some of their families over the years. We would recommend the program to everyone!"--Elaine M. Olmstead
To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit the appropriate link below.
To learn about the program directly from past participating families, please call International Student Programs-OPAL at (603) 646-0987, and we will be happy to provide you with contact information for our FFP Advisory Board members, who are also current Friendship Families. FFP Advisory Board members are: Carolyn and Milton Frye, Carola Lea, Kim Meredith, and Biff Simpson.
If you have further questions or any difficulties completing the Friendship Family forms on this website, please contact the current Friendship Family Program Student Coordinator, "Han" Na Hyun Suh '15, via e-mail at Na.Hyun.Suh.15@Dartmouth.edu, or call International Student Programs-OPAL at (603) 646-0987.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
