International Friendship Program community friends are individuals or families from the greater Milwaukee area. Volunteers agree to participate for a one year period and are matched one-on-one with a Marquette international student. The program does not involve home-stays, just occasional get-togethers.

Ideally, community friends meet with their students once a month to learn about each other’s cultures while sharing social or family activities. Activities can include almost anything, and many friends will find they share an interest in sports, cultural events or outdoor activities. Others may find that they just prefer to meet for coffee once in a while to chat. We recommend that friends include their student in activities that they are already involved in, as opposed to creating special events. These are often an excellent way for our students to learn about American culture.

Interested volunteers should fill out the Friendship Program-Volunteer Applicationlisting their hobbies and interests, which helps the program make appropriate student matches.