Friendship Partners®

Life is better connected.

The Friendship Partners® Program encourages students and friends in the community to connect several times each month to have English conversations, enjoy meals together, attend events and share all kinds of mutual interests.

In busy times, just a text, phone call, or Facebook message is enough to keep the friendship growing. Friendship Partners® often include their international friend in family activities, and international students can often find a “home away from home” in these friendships.

Stay in touch.

If you are new to this country and looking for a “home away from home,” we can help make this happen. Call, text or e-mail your Friendship Partner ® once a week to see how they are doing.

Hang out together.

Discover common interests. It may be eating, cooking, gardening, playing sports, or hunting. Get to know one another over a meal or at a ballgame. Learn each other’s hobbies and interests.

Do life together.

Build a friendship! International students want to learn about American culture. Invite them into your life.

Our goal of the Friendship Partners® Program is to put student needs at the center and bless every one of them with
a Friendship that will have the most impact.

See what our students and volunteers say...

"When I came to America, I had no friends and everything was new to me. But through ICF, I was introduced to a Friendship Partner® family and now I have many American friends and enjoy being in America very much."

MING

Student from China

"I think having a Friendship Partner® really helps, because you know at least one person cares for you when you are away from home and don't have anyone."

NUWANTHI

Student from Nepal

"The ICF Friendship Partners® Program was an incredible experience for me. It felt like finding a home away from home. They warmly embraced me and seamlessly integrated me into their family. Their genuine interest in sharing American culture and traditions with me was enlightening. They provided me with support and helped me settle down and adapt to life in the U.S."

Idahosa

Student from Nigeria

“I think every student should join the Friendship Partners® Program. It helps you connect with an American and build relationship with them. It is fun to get to know their culture, exchange cultural ideas with them and make a friendship.”

Joseph

Student from India

“When we heard that there was an opportunity to serve as a Friendship Partner® it was a no brainer because we love learning about the student’s cultures. We learn just as much as the students learn and we love every second of it. You will find that if you have a friendship partner, that you will have a friend for life because you are now apart of our family.”

Jim Zarbaugh

Volunteer

"Become a Friendship Partners®! It will not only enrich your life but it will also enrich the life of a student. You are able to make them feel welcome in the United States, and make them feel at home and serve them. It is an amazing opportunity that no one should pass up, in my opinion!"

Krista

Staff

Have any questions?

Are you curious about the Friendship Partners ® Program? Contact us!