The University of St. Thomas

Friendship Family

Welcome! ¡Bienvenida! Bienvenue!

Welcome to the CultureLink Friendship Family program that connects new international students at St. Thomas with local American families. Coming to a new country and learning about its culture is a big step. To help international students feel like home in Minnesota and share international heritage with local communities, the Friendship Family program was created.

Students are connected with a friendship family for one academic year or semester. As a friendship family, you and your family will get many international experiences, cultural learning opportunities and invitations to various international events at St. Thomas.  In return, international students have a unique chance to learn about American life and traditions. The program allows a flexible time commitment to fit into busy schedules of CultureLink participants.

Although the friendship family may sustain the friendship with a student upon the completion of the program, we hope the family will host a new student each year.

Why join the CultureLink Friendship Family program?

  • Share your culture
  • Brush up your language skills
  • Learn about Minnesota life and culture from an American family
  • Experience world cultures during your free time
  • Make friends from all over the world
  • Get connected with a diverse St. Thomas community    

It is easy to participate in the Friendship Family program:

  1. Fill out the application form, so the OISS Staff can match you with a suitable family/student;
  2. Receive information about your family/student from OISS;
  3. Write an introduction letter to your friendship family/student;
  4. Keep in contact with your family/student before arrival;
  5. Families attend the Friendship Family orientation session;
  6. Families meet their students upon arrival;
  7. If possible, families host their students upon arrival for 1-3 days before the International Student Orientation begins;
  8. Meet with your family/student at least once a month and keep in contact with your family/student through-out the year;
  9. Have fun and create unforgettable memories!

CultureLink Experience

Participation at Friendship Family Program is one of the most unforgettable memories of my experience at St. Thomas. The program helped me integrate myself into a larger community than just being on campus. While being thousand miles away from my family at home, I had a family in Minnesota that was always there for me. Thank you very much for giving international students such an unforgettable experience. 
  - Gulbahar Abdurasulova, Undergraduate Student, Turkmenistan

I have absolutely loved being involved with the CultureLink program at St. Thomas ! I have made many wonderful friends from other parts of the world. It has been a joy learning from each other and doing many fun things together!
                - Anne Winston, Intl Admissions Program Coordinator,
                                                                              Minnesota