This program provides opportunities for international students/scholars and Houston area volunteers – including individuals, couples, and families to meet once a month in cultural exchange and social events.

As an American “ambassadors of goodwill,” you are in the enviable position of exporting, by your example of friendliness and hospitality, the news that America is a nation of loving people who open their homes to the world.

The International Friendship Program (IFP), sponsored by the University of Houston's Office of International Student and Scholar Services, began in 1972 with matching UH international students and scholars with area families for a once-a-month visit with each other. Both short-term scholars and long-term students are welcome to participate. The IFP provides international students and scholars exposure to American culture by opportunities to visit American homes or meeting with Americans on a monthly basis while studying at UH. These unique partnerships also provide foreign scholars opportunities for off-campus activities.

The relationships built between area families and UH's international community can last long after the student/scholar has completed their program at UH. The events enjoyed most by internationals with their American friends include the Houston rodeo, sporting events, and visiting Houston homes. Several IFP Houston families have visited their international students at their countries of origin after graduation. In fact, the longest continuing international friendship in the program is between a South Korean couple and a Houstonian couple which began in 1972, shortly after the IFP began. That's 50+ years of international friendship and counting!

Applications

Community Volunteer Application:

Steps to join as a volunteer: 

1. Download and complete the Volunteer Packet for IFP.
2. Complete the Volunteer Application.
3. Submit payment for background check (if applicable) and complete the background application. ISSSO will notify you if this is required. 
4. Receive formal training prior to being matched with an exchange visitor.
5. Be paired with an exchange visitor.

Please reach out to Aleksandr Ignatyev (avignatyev@central.uh.edu) for confirmation or questions on this process.

Volunteer Application 

To sign up for the International Friendship Program, each volunteer needs to complete a one-time volunteer application packet and background check (if applicable). The volunteer packet contains the following three forms:  

1. Volunteer Application (OGC-S-2019-18) 
2. Volunteer Position and Responsibilities Form (OGC-S-2019-18) 
3. Volunteer Release and Indemnification Agreement (OGC-S-2019-22) 

 Be advised that all documents require a wet signature.

Upload the completed packet as part of the application “ISSSO Friendship Program-Community Volunteer” with the link below 

We will reach out to you if a background check is required. 

Background Investigation 

All UH faculty/staff or current UH volunteers are not required to do an additional background check. The cost for the background check is $50. 

Background Investigation Payment Link 

Thank you for your payment. You will be contacted by the University of Houston Human Resources Department with further instructions. This process may take several weeks. If you did not get contacted within four weeks, you can reach out to us to verify if it’s still pending. Each background investigation is unique, and processing time varies. Once the background check is passed and the IFP community volunteer application is completed and submitted, you will be cleared to participate. 

International Students and Scholars Application:

Remember, the International Friendship Program offers a great opportunity for you to make new friends and to enrich your educational and cultural experience in the United States!