Host families needed for new international students
The university is expecting approximately 55 new international students this fall. Our desire is to bless their lives, not only with a quality education, but also to introduce them to caring people who are a reflection of the reality of Jesus Christ within them.
Rather than house these students in empty dorm rooms during orientation, we are looking for about 25 families who would be willing to have up to two international students stay in their home the nights of Aug. 21-28. Students will be engaged in orientation all day Aug. 23 and Aug. 26-28. They would be free to be with the families the entire weekend of Aug. 24-25.
Families are asked to provide breakfast and dinner. Lunch will be provided on campus during orientation. We also ask families to provide transportation to George Fox between 8 and 8:30 a.m. and pick students up at approximately 5 p.m. Host families will receive a stipend to help defray some of the costs of meals and transportation.
Our students’ feedback is that staying with a host family is a very meaningful experience for newly arrived, uncertain and anxious students beginning their new life in the U.S. We also recognize the impact of this experience is not confined to the students’ lives only. Our host families attest of the great blessing these gracious international students have been to them, too. Often relationships developed with host families continue throughout the time the students are at George Fox and into the future.
If you are interested in serving as a host family, please contact Dianna McIntyre (dmcintyre@georgefox.edu, 503-554-2649) or Alex Pia (apia@georgefox.edu, 503-554-2643). If you know of others who might be interested, please let us know so we may contact them.