iFriend Programs

The Friendship Family program is a long term program that matches international students and scholars with individuals and families of all types in the Northwest Arkansas community for social relationships. This is not a home stay program. Friendship Family hosts are requested to meet with their students or scholars at least once a month and keep in touch between meetings throughout the school year. Hosts share their traditions, holidays, events, and everyday life with their students or scholars. Students and scholars are encouraged to share their cultures and join their host families for various cultural events if possible. These relationships can last well beyond the school year. Many participants of Friendship Family program find that they truly become families.

Join iFriend Today as a Friendship Family Host:

1. Application

   Fill out the Friendship Family Host application.

2. Orientation

   Register for and attend a Friendship Family Host Orientation Session.

New Friendship Family Host Orientations:

New Host Orientation Sessions for Friendship Family Hosts will be held starting in July for the Fall 2024 semester. Orientation sessions are held in person. 

 

Join iFriend Today as an International Participant:

1. Application

   Fill out the International Student & Scholar Application and submit to join the iFriend Program.

2. Attend a Student & Scholar Information Session

   Sign up for and attend an International Student & Scholar Information Session.

New iFriend Student and Scholar Sessions:

Orientation sessions for students and scholars will begin in August for the Fall 2024 semester. Information sessions will be held in person. 

If you have any questions, please contact ifriend@uark.edu.

Campus Cousins program matches international students with domestic University of Arkansas students to establish a peer friendship. The students have the opportunity to share campus life and events, as well as their cultures of origin. Domestic students have the opportunity to welcome new international students and be volunteer hosts. We ask that our Campus Cousins participants meet at least twice a month and stay in touch between meetings throughout the school year.

Join iFriend Today as a Campus Cousin Host

To become a Campus Cousin Host, you must be a student at the University of Arkansas.

Due to the demographics of our international student population, we typically only accept upperclassmen and graduate students as Campus Cousin Hosts. If you are a sophomore who is interested in joining, contact us to inquire about our current hosting needs. 

1. Application

   • Email the iFriend Staff at ifriend@uark.edu to learn about the current need and for an application to become a host.
   • Fill out the Campus Cousin Host Application and submit to iFriend Programs.

2. Attend a Host Session

   • Book a Campus Cousin Host Orientation Session.
   • If no sessions are available, please email iFriend Staff at ifriend@uark.edu. 

New Campus Cousin Host Sessions:

New Host Orientation Sessions for Campus Cousin Hosts will be held in August for the Fall 2024 semester. These orient you to the protocol and expectations of our program. Orientation sessions will be held in person. 

 

Join iFriend Today as a Campus Cousin International Student

1. Application

   Fill out the International Student & Scholar Application and submit to join the iFriend Program.

2. Attend a Student & Scholar Information Session

   Sign up for and attend an International Student & Scholar Information Session.

New iFriend Student and Scholar Sessions:

Orientation sessions for students and scholars will begin in August for the Fall 2024 semester. Information sessions will be held in person. 

If you have any questions, please contact ifriend@uark.edu.

Dinner in an American Home

As a part of our Fall 2024 orientation for new international students & scholars, we are providing a special opportunity to engage with our local community and get a first taste of American culture by experiencing dinner in an American home.

This opportunity is only available for new international students & scholars who are starting in Summer or Fall 2024. Family members are also eligible and encouraged to participate!

Graduate Dinner in an American Home will take place on Saturday, August 10th from approximately 5 to 8 PM.

Undergraduate Dinner in an American Home will take place on Saturday, August 17th from approximately 5 to 8 PM.

If you would like to be welcomed to Northwest Arkansas and experience a dinner in an American home, you may register here. We will send you a link to select your family/menu a day or two prior to your dinner which will confirm your participation.

Thanksgiving in an American Home

This is one of our signature one-time experience programs. Each year, we recruit local families who are willing to share their holiday dinner with a few international students, scholars, and family members. Since Thanksgiving is an important part of American culture, it is a great opportunity for our international students, scholars, and their families to celebrate and experience this traditional American Holiday.

• Sign up to Host
• Sign up as an International Student or Scholar

Sign ups will open on Monday, October 28th, 2024. 

Host will meet with their Thanksgiving meal matches at a reception the Monday before Thanksgiving (November 25th) and plan their meal and logistics for Thanksgiving Day.