ISSO's Host Family Program seeks new recruits for 2010-11

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

The Thams family spends time with Song Yu, a graduate student from China, as part of OU's Host Family Program.

With the fall semester approaching, Oakland University’s International Students and Scholars Office is recruiting area families who are interested in joining its Host Family Program for the 2010-11 academic year.

The program provides support to Oakland’s international students by pairing them with families who help ease their transition to American culture. Over the years, many families have participated in the program, including those with close ties to OU.

Julie Thams, a physician assistant in Oakland’s Graham Health Center, joined the program in 2009 after seeing the positive impact that a host family can have on the life of an international student.

“My children have traveled all around the world and stayed with many host families,” she explained. “The timing was right for me to commit to hosting a student and paying back what my family has gained.”

Last fall, Thams and her family welcomed Song Yu, a graduate student from China, who is studying statistics at OU.

“He is so very kind, genuine and grateful for anything that is done for him,” she said. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know him, and he fit right into my family.”

Getting used to new surroundings is just one of many challenges an international student faces in a new country. A host family lends a hand to help ease those burdens and create a positive experience.

Thams said she helped Yu with grocery shopping until he was able to obtain a driver’s license and a car. He has sampled a wide variety of American life, accompanying the family on a handful of interesting excursions.

“He came to events that my kids were involved in with both in high school at universities,” she said. “I took him to an MSU football game and a film festival at U of M. We had lunches and dinners together, high school football games, musicals and lacrosse games.”

Thams and her family will continue to host through next year when Yu completes his master’s degree. She said the program is worthwhile for anyone who wants to make a difference in the life of an international student.

The personal gains for the student and the family are such a wonderful gift, Thams said. “I would absolutely recommend reaching out to a student and helping them navigate their time here at Oakland.”

For more information on the Host Family Program, contact the ISSO at (248) 370-3358 or Sehar Kazi, Graduate Assistant and Host Family Coordinator at skazi@oakland.edu. Those interested in joining the Host Family Program are encouraged to fill out and submit the host family enrollment form by Friday, August 20.

For more information about ISSO programs, visit the website at oakland.edu/isso.