Friends of International Students (FIS)

Friends of International Students (FIS) is a non-profit organization of people in the Iowa City area who are interested in meeting and helping international students from the University of Iowa. FIS is affiliated with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at the University of Iowa and is run by community volunteers. Download a FIS brochure.

Goals

FIS provides local residents (Friends) with a chance to learn about different cultures of the world through friendships with international students (Students). FIS gives international students a chance to learn about American lifestyles and to make friends they can count on for support and care. FIS provides the Student and the Friend with an opportunity to gain new perspectives on the world through an exchange of ideas.

Participation

FIS is a flexible program with no set activities or time commitments. Once a Friend and Student are matched, they can decide what they would like to do together - go to the movies, attend downtown concerts, etc. Friends are expected to be in touch with their Students at least once a month, and invite them for major holidays and FIS activities. Students should also take pride in inviting their Friends to their activities. Volunteer staff and the OISS staff are available to assist members with any questions or concerns. If for any reason, an unsatisfactory relationship develops, reassignments will gladly be made. Friends and Students are encouraged to learn about and to respect each other's cultural, religious and political beliefs, and personal backgrounds without trying to change those beliefs. Students are often far from home and in an alien culture, often struggling with the English language and the dealing with the demands of a difficult academic program. They appreciate Friends who are neither teacher nor official to offer company, warmth and friendship.

Orientation Site

If you wish to be a Friend, and have not had an opportunity to attend an Orientation meeting, you may take the orientation on-line. Please click on Orientation Materials read the materials, and send in an evaluation. Thanks for your interest.

Contact Information

Name:

Email:

Indicate your degree of agreement with
each of the following statements

As a result of this orientation, I have a better understanding of what is expected of me as a Friend.

As a result of this orientation, I feel better prepared for meeting and being a Friend to a student from another country.

This orientation gave me some new ideas about things I could do with my student(s).

The on-line orientation was presented in an interesting manner.

Please complete the following statements

How long did it take to complete the on-line orientation?

The time to complete the on-line orientation was:

The best aspect of this orientation was:

The worst aspect of this orientation was:

If I were doing an orientation for New Friends, I would be sure to:

My main suggestion for improving this session is:

Please make any other comments you believe would help improve FIS orientation program:

Resources

These are ideas about media, places, grocery stores, restaurants, and things to do that have been utilized by some of the Board members or given to us by Friends. The list is not exhaustive, nor is this a recommendation. These are just lists that we hope you will find useful. If you have any ideas about additions to these lists, please email us at fis@uiowa.edu.

Other Opportunities

Board members and other volunteers perform the important task of matching Friends and Students, recruiting new Friends, organizing orientation sessions and other group activities. Encouraging neighbors and friends to join is the best way to help FIS grow. There are always new Students waiting to be matched with a Friend. Friends are welcome to have more matches with as many Students as they feel comfortable with. "Hospitality Friends" who cannot make a long-term commitment often invite unmatched Students into their homes for the holidays or special occasions.

Membership

There are no typical Friends and Students. Single individuals, married couples, families, senior citizens, etc., are all invited to be Friends. Single and married Students, Students with families, graduate and undergraduate Students are all welcome to join FIS. If you are genuinely interested in international exchanges on a personal level, you are encouraged to join and participate in FIS by contacting FIS. You may click on the appropriate link below to pull up an application. You may fill it out and either 1) email it as an attachment to fis@uiowa.edu or 2) send it by regular mail to Scott King, OISS, 120 IC, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242. The following applications are offered in 3 formats 1) Microsoft Word 2) PDF and 3) Electronic Submission.

Application for Friends (MS Word, PDF)
Application for Students (MS Word, PDF)
Application for Board Membership(MS Word)

Contact Us

Scott King
Director, OISS
(319) 335-0335
scott-king@uiowa.edu

Office of International Students & Scholars 120 International Center
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
E-mail fis@uiowa.edu