Local families welcome international students

Learning about other cultures, helping an international student adjust to life here and making lasting friendships are some of the rewards families have experienced participating in the Friendship Family Program at the University of Maine.

Despite all this, volunteer families are hard to find.

Evelyn and Vance Dearborn of Orono have participated in the program for about five years and think more people should get involved.

“We feel very strongly that this is the only possible way to achieve world peace — through individual friendships,” said Mrs. Dearborn.

Charles and Nancy Grant, 15-year veterans of the program, have met a variety of students from many countries, including China, Japan, Malaysia, Iran and Indonesia, the home of their recent student.

“We Both feel it’s important for (the students) to know another part of the United States, besides just a college campus,” said Mrs. Grant. “Because, let’s face it, campus life is not reality.

For the past eight years UM professors Ronald and Lee Davis have invited international students to their home for holiday visits and monthly dinners, as well as traveled with them throughout the Northeast.

“It gives you and your family a new perspective of a different culture, said Mrs. Davis. “It also helps the students to have a `home away from home’ .”

Before meeting the friendship family, the student gets a brief education on American social and dining customs and appropriate behaviors, such as the importance of punctuality. The friendship family receives a similar brochure about students.

The fact that students do not live with the family, but visit with them regularly or occasionally, appeals to many people who cannot commit to hosting a student full time in their home.

Vardu Iyengar, a graduate student from India, says the program has taught him a lot about American culture and has erased many stereotypes he had.

“(One of) the impressions I had about America was that people put their parents in nursing homes and forget about them. Now I know that working families set aside time for their parents and children,” said Iyengar, who still keeps in touch with his host family, the Davises.

Yet, initially, Iyengar had been hesitant to join the program because he is a vegetarian.

“It was something I didn’t expect — people going out of their way. It was touching,” he said. “Overall, I’m really glad Ruth Bentley was able to change my mind.”

Bentley, who has been the program coordinator for six years, says the shortage of families may be due to people thinking that only traditional families need apply. But families of all types are welcomed to the program. In addition, the family-student relationship is determined by them.

“It’s really up to the family and student. It’s simply a friendship program,” said Bentley.

For more information about the Friendship Family Program, call 581-2905.