Have an international experience without leaving Wilmington
Wish you could study abroad yourself, or do you want your kids to have access to international culture and a broader worldview? Create your own international experience right here in Wilmington. Just like you'll share your culture with your student, they'll want to do the same, and you'll learn all about what it's like to live somewhere else.
Make Wilmington a welcoming place for new students
Make sure our international students feel at home in our town and have the best experience possible.
Share your town and culture
Bring your student to your favorite spot at the beach or invite them to a holiday dinner. Our international students want to explore and learn about what it's like to live here, and most do not have access to a car. You can help them see just what it is you live about living here. In the past, families have brought their students to festivals and sporting events, gone strawberry picking, visited Downtown or Southport, and shared Sunday brunch or family dinners.
Improve your foreign language skills
Want to practice a second language? We’ll try to pair you with a student who speaks it fluently so you can have a language exchange, in addition to a cultural one.
Join the Seahawk community
We'll organize at least one event each semester to thank our friendship families and to give you a chance to meet other international students and friendship families as well. This year, events included a UNCW basketball game, an International Potluck, and a graduation event.
Gain a life-long friend
Many of our friendship family-student pairings go on to have meaningful relationships well after the program ends. This is just the start!
Requirements
- Contact your student by phone or email when you are paired together to begin getting to know one another.
- Once students arrive, you can make arrangements to meet as your schedule permits. Although students and families are encouraged to meet at least once per month, this is a flexible program, and participants can decide what schedule works best for them.
Testimonials
“In February of this year, Hwayoung Lee (from South Korea) and I met on campus over a cup of coffee at the Dunkin’ Dots in Seahawk Crossing. It was the beginning of many shared adventures. From that first conversation, it became obvious that Hwayoung was excited about getting to know more about the American culture and to experience more of Wilmington beyond campus life. Over the next three months, we had many occasions to explore this city and surrounding areas from Wrightsville Beach to Fort Fisher to the Aquarium to the USS NC Battleship to ferry rides bound for Southport and Bald Head Island. Often my daughter joined us. One memorable day following lunch in my home, Hwayoung, and Tana baked and decorated 96 (!) sugar cookies for a special occasion. We all three enjoyed our conversations with one another. The questions back and forth of what life is like in South Korea and how it is different from life in America presented a learning experience for each of us. The sense of family, the pursuit of a good education, and a love for traveling are shared in both cultures. Hwayoung will always be a bright star in my memory. Being part of the UNCW Community Host program was an amazing experience. I look forward to being part of this endeavor again and again.”
--Annette Hall, first-time host family
“We love being a host family. Both our children were exchange students and we know how much they and we have benefited from our experiences.
It's a great opportunity to exchange ideas, develop mutual understandings, and create long-term friendships."
--Chuck and Lesley Ogrosky
Application Process
Complete this short online application to help us match you with a student!
Apply Now
If you have any questions, please email OISS.
**In case of an emergency, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 910.962-3119 or by email.**
