International Hospitality Program
The International Hospitality Program (IHP) helps students develop a more personal, positive understanding of America while allowing Americans to develop a greater understanding of the world. The mission of IHP is to promote cross-cultural learning between American and international students, provide international students a culturally rich experience outside the classroom, and offer local residents the opportunity to make international friends.
On the basis of common interests, students are matched with volunteer IHP hosts for one year. Hosts include students in some of the things they ordinarily do and enjoy; picnics, sports events, sightseeing, concerts, movies, hiking, shopping, or conversation and coffee. The activities will reflect individual interests and will offer an informal and easy relationship where each can come to know and appreciate the other. Monthly visits or phone calls are recommended. IHP connections can become the basis for a lasting friendship, sometimes renewed by a visit to the student's home country.
Regular IHP events include a potluck or chili supper, an ice cream social, shopping trips, airport pickups and an annual IHP-Rotary Club picnic.
Most students and hosts are paired at the beginning of each semester - early September and January to allow time for a more enduring friendship to develop. Sometimes hosts meet students at the airport or invite them to stay with their family for a day or two until they find permanent accommodations. But students do not live permanently with the host, nor do hosts assume any financial responsibility.