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International Friends holds ice cream social

 

The Sunday before the start of each fall semester, International Friends invites foreign exchange students and anyone in the community who is interested to the Rodgers family home for an ice cream social. 

International Friends is a global non-profit organization that was designed to create programs that mutually benefit international students and members of the University community based on the recognition of the interdependency of all nations.

According to Robert Cloutier, professor of English as a Second Language, the majority of the foreign exchange students who come to Tech come from South Korea and hope to learn more about the English language and the U.S.

“Most of these students live in the dorms and don’t have access to a kitchen, so they enjoy visiting a host family for a meal or just getting the chance to cook a traditional dish from their country,” Cloutier said.

The organization is composed of community volunteers who are interested in the welfare of international students.  Their membership represents many professions including University faculty, lawyers, doctors, biologists, engineers, bankers, business professionals, and parents who work from home.

They events that they sponsor are designed to provide a social environment for international students in order to get to know the families and individuals who the students will be in contact with for the duration of their stay.

“About once a month, the host can meet with the student for a meal at their home with their family, a trip to a shopping mall or coffee shop, a movie, or maybe just to hang out and talk,” Cloutier said.

For those who would like to get involved with International Friends, the next sponsored event will be held at the RUC Multipurpose Room on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.

For more information, call (931)520-7434 or visit them online at www.international friends.org.