ISSO seeks families to host international exchange students

The Oakland University International Students and Scholars Office is recruiting area families who are interested in becoming part of its Host Family program for the winter 2014 semester.

The program provides support to international students by pairing them with families who help ease their transition to American culture. An informational session will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, in the Lake Michigan Room of the Oakland Center. Refreshments will be provided.

Host families help international students become acclimated to new surroundings by introducing them to Oakland and the surrounding community. Students get to experience American life by participating in holidays, traditions, activities and events, while sharing their own customs and practices with their host family.

This exchange of culture has helped create memorable experiences for dozens of families and students who have participated in the Host Family program since it was launched in fall 2009, according to Katelyn Lipp, ISSO host family program coordinator and graduate assistant.

For more information on the Host Family Program, contact Lipp at (248) 370-3608 or kalipp@oakland.edu. Click here to download the host family form.

Oakland University is a vibrant academic community with more than 20,000 students and more than 260 degree and certificate programs. To learn more about academics, achievements, and events at OU, visit the news site at oakland.edu/newsatou and follow the news team on Twitter at @OaklandU_News.