Friendship Partner Program

Friendship Partner Program is a great way for international students to connect Americans. Since most internationals are very far away from their home, Bloomington International Student Ministries (BISM) tries to find you a home-away-from home (not a live-in situation).

Through the Friendship Partner Program, an American family or a single person adopts an international student/family as friends. These American Friendship Partners try to include you in some of their family activities, helping you adjust to life in America, giving you practical help such as taking you shopping for food (when possible), and celebrating American holidays with you. Most importantly, they will be a special friend to you while you are far away from your home country, family and friends.

Register for a Friendship Partner

You can request for an American friend whose primary focus is to be Friendship Partner or a Conversation Partner:

Friendship Partner: An American family or a single person adopts an international student/family as friends. These American Friendship Partners try to include you in some of their (or their family) activities, helping you adjust to life in America, and giving you practical help such as taking you shopping for food (when possible). Most importantly, they will be a special friend to you while you are far away from your home country and relatives. Activities may involve doing something with them at least once a month and calling each other once a week.

Conversation Partner: An American family or a single person adopts an international student/family as friends with the goal of helping the international with their English language. These American Conversation Partners might do similar activities like the Friendship Partners. But the Conversation partner’s main focus will be to help the international improve their conversational English by providing a non-threatening environment to use their English in varied settings. Activities may involve visiting the American partner or going out with them once a week. During the visits, the American partner will encourage you to use English.

FAQ

Friendship Partner Program has lots of benefits:
  • Meet and make friends with local residents and/or American students.
  • Learn about American culture.
  • Share about your country and culture with your hosts.
  • Practice American English in a safe setting.
  • Get better acquainted with Bloomington & surrounding areas.
  • Have a home away from home.
Yes, they will be glad to help you with your English. They do not conduct classes to teach you English. But they help by having conversations with you on a regular basis. Having more opportunities to speak English helps you to be more confident with the language and will definitely help you to improve your ability in the language. Your Friendship Partner would also be willing to correct your use of English.
No, this service is free. These Americans understand your situation in a foreign country and want to help you to adjust to life in America.
You can sign-up for a Friendship Partner online. Complete the form and submit it. You will be contacted soon by BISM staff to inform you who your friendship partner is. Your friendship partner will also contact you and arrange for a time and a place to meet with you for the first time. After your first meeting you and your friendship partner can decide how often to meet together. Register for a Friendship Partner
For more information, please contact
Elan Rajamani
Email: elan@ifmusa.org
Phone: 812-327-9587

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