What is Friends without Borders?
This program is designed to pair incoming international students with U.S. students who are interested in making international student connections. Paired students will eventually meet with each other for the first time at a kickoff event at the beginning of the fall semester. After this initial kick-off event, pairs are encouraged to keep up the connection by getting together regularly during the semester.
Additionally, there will be events hosted by staff once or twice a month for students to learn more about the University, Iowa City, U.S. cultures (s), the English language while making new friends. It's a great opportunity to be part of an exciting program that offers personal enrichment while also helping to create a more dynamic and integrated campus.
Activities
UI staff organize one or two Friends Without Borders events a month. Previous activities have included the following:
- Hawkeye football/basketball/volleyball games
- Celebration of U.S. holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and Valentine’s Day
- Evening gatherings to play board games and eat pizza
- Visit to Wilson’s Apple Orchard in the fall
- Other activities suggested by students throughout the year
Questions?
Want to be more involved in program development and leadership? Please contact Taivna Mills, International Services Associate, by email at ip-fwb@uiowa.edu or phone 319-335-0335.
How to Join
If you are a new international or U.S. undergraduate student interested in joining Friends Without Borders for the 2021-22 school year, please email Taivna Mills at taivna-mills@uiowa.edu to register and we will be in touch concerning whether you have been paired with another student.