Macalester International Students Friendship Program

The Friends of Macalester International Students (FOMIS) Friendship Program places Twin Cities area residents and Macalester international students together to foster cross-cultural exchange. The program gives international students an opportunity to meet people in the U.S. and helps both hosts and students learn about different cultures and perspectives. The group of hosts is very diverse, ranging form recent college graduates, families with young or teenage/college age children, to retired individuals and couples. FOMIS has existed for over 30 years and now includes approximately 170 families and 200 students. It is administered by Macalester College International Student Programs.

ISP tries to match as closely as possible the interests and preferences expressed by hosts and students. Certain requests, however, such as nationality or language, depend on the changing profile of the incoming student cohort and families cannot always be met. Most students are matched with hosts at the beginning of the academic year.

There is no deadline for friendship family applications. We prioritize matching students who submit a host student application before the start of the fall semester.

Whom to contact?

Please contact ISP ([email protected]) with any concerns or questions you may have regarding your student or the Friendship Program.

“I joined the host family in my first year at Mac and know for a fact that my experience and growth here in the twin cities would not have been as productive without them. The support, the love, the guidance, the adventures and the sense of family has helped me in different areas of my life. And this is only the beginning of a lifetime relationship.” Nteranya Arnold Sanginga ’18, Democratic Republic of Congo

“I really love my host family, and they have been a huge and integral part of my Macalester experience.  They are a young Mac alum couple and it has been great to have them as a resource for advice on my life at Mac and in the Twin Cities.  We also have a lot of interests in common, including a passion for food and cooking. We meet nearly every week to cook and eat dinner together. It is wonderful to get to be in a home environment from time to time, and a good opportunity to get out of the Mac bubble. ” Sheena Diong  ’17, Singapore

“We were paired with a freshman student in the fall of 2014, and have continued our relationship with our host student. In fact, she is like a family member to us and we miss her dearly over the summer months!” Courtney Standish, St. Paul, host since 2014

“We have been so blessed to have been a (friendship) family for the past few years. Building relationships with such amazing young people and experiencing our community through their perspective has been among the best things of being involved in the program. We’ve done everything from attend dance and music performances to going the the Home and Garden Show and The State Fair. We even celebrated Guatemalan Independence Day recently with our host student’s first introduction to cheese curds. I had no idea how much insight we would gain into things that we take for granted in our own back yard. It’s been a pleasure to include host students in family activities, and we love comparing customs between our country and theirs. We’ve been fortunate as well to meet students’ friends and family members when they’ve come to visit as well. We continue to remain in contact with previous host students, and although we haven’t traveled to visit anyone yet, there’s a possible trip to Oslo on our horizon.” Dennis Taylor and Mark Sauerbrey, 2013

“ISP matched our family well with our international student, Pukitta.  We’ve included her in trips to our cabin, included her in holiday dinners, and even took her to the Boundary Waters one year before school started.  It’s fascinating to see what she notices from the regular activities.  She loved digging snow tunnels at our cabin with our 9 year old son. Our son and nephews think she is the best!  I’ve also been able to support her when she needed a local “mom”. I traveled widely when I was younger, but extensive travel is not practical for me at this point in my life.  Hosting an international student keeps me in touch with my old traveling side.  When I traveled, so many people helped me out;  I’m glad to be of help to a international student now.” Suzanne Hansen, 2013

“My host family is great! In the beginning of the year, Sue took me to Target to buy things for my room, and to the social security office for my social security number. It was great to be able to get off campus every now and then, and meet a family from the Cities. It has been nice getting to know them and learn about the US and the area by talking to them. Having a host family has been rewarding in many ways, even in small ones like having a place to bring my plant to during the winter holidays. They also came to watch my dance performances and I really appreciated that.I particularly like the fact that there is no pressure in meeting up but we check in with each other to see how things are going because we like to do so.” Claire Schuch ’11, The Netherlands

“I’m having a gorgeous time with my host family. They care about me very much and we hang out together every two or three weeks. Last Thanksgiving they even took me to Dennis’s parents’ house in Randall, MN! I appreciate that they are doing their best to let me get more contact with every aspect of the US society. Vice versa, I believe their experience with me must be rewarding as well. Especially as their oldest son is studying in a Chinese immersion elementary school, Chinese culture is always an interesting topic between us and I can often help teach some simple Chinese.” Chen Gu ’11, China

“I have enjoyed being part of the host family program for many years. It has been a pleasure for me, my family and friends to get know a new friend from Mac each year and welcome them in to our life in Minnesota. It is great fun having our day-to-day world seen with fresh and new eyes.Things we take for granted or just experience day in and day out are brand new when seen for the first time – like walking on a frozen lake or discovering “strike anywhere” matches. And of course there are all the great things the Mac International students bring from their world and share back. I have been honored to meet many wonderful young people.  They have enriched my life as well as the lives of my family and friends.  As they leave to take on the world it has been wonderful to stay in touch and continue to share our lives and hear of their new life adventures.” Dennis Cashman, St. Paul, host since 2004

“I read in the Macalester Bulletin that there was a need for host families for international students. I responded saying I didn’t know if I was qualified but I would love to help out if I fit the criteria. Little did I know that I would be the one who gained the most. I am here for occasional moral support, dinner or activity. But I have received so much more from my international children, Noel and Eleni. They have given our family love, a different perspective and hopefully a relationship that will last forever.” Toni Schrantz, Shoreview, host since 1998

“When I first started hosting students many years ago, my own children were small, and it was great having such amazing “big brothers and sisters” as role models for them. Now that my kids are young adults and away from home, the international students give me the opportunity to spend time with some incredible young people. I’m still in contact with most of my graduates, and feel that my family truly expands the globe!” Marilyn Cragoe, Minneapolis, host since 1995

Time commitment

Students start the program the fall semester of their first year. The time commitment does not need to be great, and the reward can be tremendous! The amount of time each host and student spend together varies, depending on the schedules of both. On average, most hosts and students get together about once a month. We ask for an initial commitment of one academic year, at which time hosts and students are asked to indicate whether they wish to continue in the program for the following year. Almost everybody does! It is possible for upperclassmen to join the program during the fall semester, should they decide, later on, that they would like to be involved in the program.

FOMIS activities

There are several group activities planned throughout the year, including our welcome reception in September, an international potluck in February, and various optional cultural activities throughout the year.