• Two of the biggest felt needs of international students, scholars and their families are…

1. Help with conversational English. They need a friend to practice their English with who will be a good listener and patient to answer their questions.
2. Decrease in loneliness. They need an individual or family to help them adjust and adapt to their new surroundings and culture and who will invite them to participate in fun activities with them.

By volunteering, you can help students meet their needs and begin to build relationships that can provide a platform for sharing the gospel. (Watch this video below to hear one student’s story.)

• Global Connections provides Volunteers like you the opportunity to help by being a Friendship Partner: 

Invite a student or two to join you or your family for a meal, a holiday celebration, a community event, other activity or an evening of conversation. Partners keep in touch weekly and get together at least once a month.

How can I get more information?

• Interacting with International Friends
• Activities to Do with International Friends

How do I become a Friendship Partner?

• There is a list of students who are waiting!
• If you are not already a Global Connections Volunteer go to: Get Started to complete an application, background check authorization and short training.
• If you are already a Volunteer, please let us know you want to be matched now! Fill out the form here:  
  International Student Friendship Partner Volunteer Sign Up

  Name(Required)

  First Last

  Email(Required)

  Phone(Required)

  Gender(Required)

  Male

  Female

  Major(Required)

  If applicable, if not please put N/A

  Age(Required)

  Please enter a number greater than or equal to 18.

  Church and/or Campus Ministry(Required)

  Briefly describe your church and/or campus ministry involvement(Required)

  Briefly describe your hobbies and interests(Required)

  References

  Please provide 2 references. The first should be a spiritual reference. The second should be a friend.

  Spirtual Reference Name(Required)

  First Last

  A pastor, small group leader, mentor, etc.

  Spiritual Reference Email(Required)

  Spirtual Reference Phone(Required)

  We may need to call them if we can't get a hold of them by email. We promise not to put them on a list 🙂

  Friend Reference Name(Required)

  First Last

  Someone who has known you for a while.

  Friend Reference Email(Required)

  Friend Reference Phone(Required)

  We may need to call them if we can't get a hold of them by email. We promise not to put them on a list 🙂