Thank you for your willingness to invite international students into your home!

Please be sure to invite the students as soon as possible, since they are looking forward to the experience of a welcoming American home.

Make sure they have your telephone number and address, just in case they need to get in touch with you about any last minute changes.

Here are some tips, that might make you feel more at ease about the visit:

• Please be clear with the students about how to find your home, if they are coming by car or riding the bus, give them a map of how to find your home. If you are picking them up (usually the best thing), be clear about where you will meet them and the time.
  
  
• It's helpful to give indication of how long the visit will be. Some international students may feel uncomfortable if they don't know how long is polite to stay. You might say, for example, "We'll pick you up at your apartment at noon and after we've had dinner together, we can show you around a bit. We'll bring you back to your apartment by 5:00 P.M."
  
  
• International students miss their families. Most love children, and will be happy to share with you about their family life and country. If you have a world atlas handy, they can point out just where they live.
  
  
• The students will be interested in getting to know the city better. Although they may have been part of one of InterVarsity's programs, or even have lived here for a couple of years, there may be things they would love seeing, such as botanical gardens, an arboretum, zoo, or take a tour of the Capitol Building.
  
  
• You might look at photos or slides together, go to a concert, drive out to the country side, or simply go for a walk (most international students are used to walking) and look around your neighborhood.
  
  
• The students will want to feel more "at home" than feel like a "guest." If they offer to help set the table or help clear and wash up, let them join you.
  
  
• International students may not know exactly how to address you, whether to use your first name, "Mister," "Mrs.," "Doctor," and so forth. They will feel more at ease if you take the initiative to tell them how you would like to be addressed. You can ask them how you should address them. Some will tell you their "American name," feeling that it will be easier for you. If you make an effort to learn their real name, they'll appreciate it.
  
  
• Don't be surprised if your guests do something "strange." Our culture and customs here in the USA are not necessarily "right," but they are different. In Japan, for example, one removes their shoes before coming into the house (to keep it clean). In Nigeria, the guest will not tell you when he wants to go home, but will wait until the host gives permission to leave. In some African countries it's fine to show up as a guest with one or two "extra" people - without telling the host beforehand! It might even happen that your guests don't show up, and don't call first to let you know. In some cultures it's polite to ask the other person how old they are. Don't be upset by such (for us unusual) events, because sharing the love of Christ is so important.
  
  
• You should ask the students if they adhere to a particular diet, or if there are foods that they do not eat. Some international students do not eat meat, some will not eat pork. Usually chicken, fish or eggs are "safe" to serve. You may certainly serve American food, the international student will expect this. But don't be too surprised if the student isn't enthusiastic about your dish. It may take time to get used to American food.
  
  
• If the international student is a Christian, invite him or her to join you for worship. Even if your guests are not Christians, they may be open to attending a worship service with you if they are asked gently. Be willing to accept "No, thank you," for an answer.
  
  
• Feel free to practice whatever family customs you have about prayer or reading a Scripture portion before or after the meal, explaining to the students that this is your custom, by saying something simple such as, "It's our family custom to give thanks to God for the meal as we begin." Just be yourself. As you do this with tact and love, they will respect your convictions, and it may lead to a good conversation about spiritual things.
  
  
• Please be in prayer about your visit together. And be ready to invite the students back in four to six weeks. Since they are studying, they will not expect to be invited every week, but if they are never invited back, they will feel badly, and wonder whether they have offended you in some way. Let the friendship develop and give you guidance on how often to invite them. If the students invite you to do something with them, please be ready to accept their invitation. It's their opportunity to express friendship and gratitude for your love and care.

Please let us know how your visit went and if there are ways we can help you.