Attention New International Students
The Office of International Programs and Services at ETSU encourages you to apply for our International Friendship Program (IFP). There are two parts to IFP: our International Host Program and our Buccaneer Buddy Program (IBB). You may apply for either or both programs. If you apply for the IFP Host Program, you will be paired with an ETSU faculty or staff volunteer who will help you during the first few days after your arrival. The benefits of applying for the program are:
- You would have someone to pick you up at the airport, feed and house you the first night or two, help you move into your new campus housing, and take you shopping for the things you might need for your housing.
- You would quickly know someone who works at ETSU who could answer your questions and help you as you adjust to life here.
- You will have someone to show you around the campus and the city when you first arrive, so you can more quickly become familiar with your new home.
If you apply for the IBB, you will be placed in one of several small groups of around 12-14 students that includes both American students and other international students. The benefits of applying for the IFP Buccaneer Buddy Program are:
- You would have American students to show you around campus and help answer questions about campus life and American culture.
- You would have the opportunity to engage in new and fun activities and experiences with your group, including service activities.
- You would be able to make new friends from around the world.
- You will more quickly adapt to the life and culture here and have a richer experience of life in the USA.
There are limited openings for the program so the earlier you apply the better the chance of being served. The deadline for applying for Fall semester is August 10 and the deadline for Spring semester is December 17. Following the applications below you can read what recent international students said about their experience with IFP and IBB.
International Host Program Application
Buccaneer Buddy Program Application
Recent International Students Experience with IFP Host Program
Tess Israel, Netherlands
Hi!
My name is Tess Israel and I’m from the Netherlands. I want to tell you a little bit about my (great) experience with having a host family. At first, I was a little skeptical about it. I was already living on my own for 3 years and was expecting good public transports. However, life in the States turned out to be totally different compared with my life back home, especially in such a small place as Johnson City. Having a host family made my arrival much more relaxed. The first few days I got used to the American time zone in a ‘family like’ environment. My American parents took me shopping, showed me around campus and could answer all the questions I still had. But also now, during the semester, they let me experience the real American life by inviting me over for dinner or taking me to some nice places in and around Johnson City. So, besides that having a host family is really practical, it also gives you the opportunity to experience more of the American culture. I would say: “Just fill out the form; having a host family is great!’.
Shi Dexin, China
Before I left China, I applied for the friendship program for international students in ETSU. I thought, well, it is not a bad thing; at least, I could have someone pick me up from the airport. However, this program gave me much more of a surprise; what I got was not a simple host, but also friendship and an American family.
I will never forget the moment I arrived at Tri-City airport. Other international students and I walked restlessly into the waiting hall. I saw my name on a paper held by my host person, , a beautiful lady with short, curly blonde hair named Kim. I waved my hand and said hello to her. She gave me a big smile which blew my tensions away. We introduced ourselves to each other and then we went to her house. We talked a lot on the way home. She spoke slowly and when my poor English was not fluent, she smiled and encouraged me. This was the first time I had spoken English to a native speaker, but I did not feel bashful; on the contrary, I became more confident.
In her house, I met her family members, and we had a welcome party that night with Lissy, another host person and her host students. We ate a big meal and had a great time talking. I stayed one night in Kim’s house since the university dorm building was not available. The next day, Kim drove me to get familiar with Johnson City and the campus. She helped find what I needed at Walmart and the grocery store, and helped me move in to my dorm.
More than that, in these nine months since I came to the U, S., we became really good friends. Although China is 8,000 miles away, Kim gave me a warm, family feeling here in Johnson City. I cannot find the proper words to describe my thankfulness for Kim and the friendship she gave me.
Recent International Students Experience with IBB
Hongyu Cong, China
When I arrived here, I felt so depressed because of the cultural shock. Everything was so novel for me. I did not know how to communicate with my classmates, how to deal with my difficulties, even how to register for classes, etc. I was so shy that I always worried I would do something wrong and be embarrassed. I did everything cautiously and always felt lonely and homesick. The conflict between the two cultures made me anxious. I had no American friends to teach me how to adapt to American life. And because of my limited spoken English, I always worried about communicating with American students. It was so embarrassing when I ordered food in a restaurant. The first semester was the most difficult for me. Early in the second semester, I went to a social evening of the International Buccaneer Buddy Program. I met a lot of enthusiastic American students who were all ready to help us. They were friendly, introduced themselves to me, and talked with me. They told me a lot of things which I had never heard about. I was so lucky to make a good friend that evening with Jesse, an American student. We talked to each other for a long time about the difference in cultures of China and America. He even told me how to get along with Americans. After that, we became good friends. We sometimes eat together and talk about the things which we are both interested in, from political events to culture. Because I am an art science student, I always have a lot of papers to write. He regularly helps me correct my papers. Under Jesse's help, my English skills have improved dramatically. I very much appreciate the International Buccaneer Buddy Program as it gave me the opportunity to know Jesse. Now, I have adapted to the American life much better than before. With Jesse's help, my English skills have improved quickly and I also have become more confident. I encourage new international students to apply for the program.
Rina Awano, Japan
Lucky for me, I found out about the Buccaneer Buddy program through an email that was supposed to go to another girl who had applied for the program, and it gave me the chance to learn about the program and meet my wonderful American friend. Although I was a little bit anxious about what she would be like before I first met her, I forgot my anxieties the moment I met her. She is a really friendly and nice person and always tries to help me and make me feel comfortable. Also, she sometimes asks me to hang out with her or do things together. Conversation with her is so interesting, and we discovered that our favorite TV show is the same, so it's so funny when I am talking about it with her! I feel I'm such a lucky person to have her as a friend. Since we international students often feel homesick or nervous because of cultural differences or something like that, to have a partner who listens and talks to you is beneficial and makes your life here more enjoyable! I'm really glad that I got the wrong email and ended up getting to know her!