Family Friendship Program
Welcome, Families
Family Friendship Program mission
The goal of the program is to promote international understanding and friendship, develop an appreciation of how others live and view the world, and assist new students in the process of adjustment to Luther College and the United States. Students and their Friendship Families gather in informal settings and learn about life in the U.S. and Iowa, and about the home culture of the student. The friendship that grows between a student and his or her Friendship Family can promote diversity and cultural awareness that will last a lifetime.
Welcome
to the Luther College Diversity Center Friendship Family Program! Congratulations on your generous decision to become a part of this program—a great opportunity to start what could be a lifelong friendship with your student. This is a relationship in which you will learn and grow together and will share and gain new understandings of different cultures, and in which your horizons will be expanded without you having to leave Decorah. Bravo to you! This handbook provides general information about the program and a brief outline of culture shock theory. For more information, please go to our website, www.luther.edu/ diversity, or feel free to contact the program coordinator, Jake Dyer. The Luther College Diversity Center (LDC) is constantly trying to enhance the program for you. We welcome feedback and ideas to help us achieve this.
History of the project The Luther Friendship Family program is over 30 years old, and the number of international students studying at Luther has nearly tripled in that time. We usually welcome about 40 international students from over 30 countries, giving us a total of 140 international students from 55 countries studying at Luther. Recently, the program was renamed, and the application and evaluation processes
Expectations of a Friendship Family Below are some expectations for families to be aware of: stay in involved long afterward.
Who Are We? Luther College Diversity Center is a place of welcome that embraces people from all walks of life. We work to equip a diverse student body for global citizenship. We seek to build an inclusive community where all feel valued, respected, and safe. Jake Dyer leads the program, and he welcomes your input and inquiries.
Jake Dyer
Amy Webber
Admin. Assistant, Diversity Center
International Student Coordinator
Dahl Centennial Union 113 (563) 387-1014 dyerja01@luther.edu
Wintlett Taylor-Browne
Dr. Sheila Radford-Hill
Director of Student Services, Diversity Center
Executive Director, Diversity Center
community. understand schedules do not always line up, but meeting at least once a month is a good goal. Please reach out to your student. Though we encourage students to call you, they are often shy about this, so please make it your responsibility to initiate connections. program for you and the students and your feedback is very important.
What makes a successful Friendship Family? Open minds
We ask that you embrace differences between you and your student and learn about your student’s beliefs as you share as your own. We encourage you to have friendly debates or healthy conversations, but please be respectful of your student’s ideas and do not impose your opinions. Do not get defensive if a question seems odd; embrace his or her curiosity and desire to learn. Flexibility
Not every culture places punctuality high on its list of priorities, so make sure you communicate and be honest with each other about meeting times. Both you and your
engagements. Communication
Important information about the program While participating in the program, please be your charming pleasant selves and do everything you can to help your student feel welcome. Feel free to welcome your student
This is the one of the most important factors in creating and maintaining a good relationship. Communicate everything, no matter how small a detail you think it might be. If something upsets you, do not get frustrated or pretend it doesn’t bother you. Take that opportunity to discuss how the behavior has potential to upset people. We cannot stress the enough the importance of being open and honest. Fun!
information for families and students, below. students will almost always appreciate it, gifts are not expected. Remembering birthdays is a nice touch.
wholesome fun with your student. Go for walks, out for coffee, anything fun that you would do as a family. Simple!
however we ask that you do not invite your student to live with you, lend money, or allow the use your car. This can put a strain on the relationship and create false expectations for the future.
Culture shock theory
with your student to go shopping, for example, clearly communicate what you
However, many students will go through cultural shock at some point while living in
treat the student to lunch and he or she would pay for any clothes, games, accessories, etc., desired.
Contrary to popular belief, students will not be hit by culture shock the moment they step off the plane.
as a Friendship Family will play a critical part in the student’s development. lessons, etc., for pay are not options for most international students, so please do not offer them work. Contact the Diversity Center for more information.
Some of you may have lived in a different country, or even a bigger city, and will understand that students will have to relearn how to do tasks that are second nature become overwhelming.
trips to stores for food. If a student contacts you only for rides or you feel they are taking advantage of you to drive them around, let us know.
places, there are no regulations. Please remind your student about Iowa laws involves alcohol.
Signs and symptoms of culture shock
Tips for Families
No two students will experience culture shock in the exact same way. It may be brief or it could be a prolonged experience. If you have any concerns about your student’s
If you would like more than one student, that is wonderful—we will try to accommodate you. Having more than one student can sometimes help you all feel more comfortable. If we have too many families for students we will put you on the spring waiting list. Please do not take this personally.
he or she is okay. that a student will go through. The months along the bottom may indicate that over the winter is a good time to check in and meet up with your student. Also, culture shock can reoccur, and students may be surprised by this.
not hear from them again. everyday activities can sometimes be the best. that you can share traditions throughout the meal. For instance, in many cultures the mother serves everyone, rather than passing the dishes around the table.
Global
with greeting the new student.
Management, p. 411)
Stages of culture shock
short stage.
they do not need this program to help with their transition to Luther and Decorah. Feel free to ask your student if he or she wants or has the time for this program and let us know if you and your student decide to withdraw. We will keep you on the list for the next students arriving.
begin to wear off. The student may then begin to feel resentful, detached, or depressed. United States, Decorah, and Luther. The more familiar the student becomes, the more comfortable he or she will be. you and other support groups, your student can now comfortably live in the U.S. He or she can integrate his or her beliefs and lifestyle choices, leading to better self and environmental acceptance.
dad, is one of the best experiences I have had so to invite me and my friends to dinners at their house once in a while. My host mom can cook awesome Vietnamese food. She is a great host mom to whom I can talk comfortably. I am very grateful to have them —Uyen (Ivy) Truong, Vietnam
transition to the U.S. couldn’t have been easier, and I have them to thank for that. A friendship family is a great thing to have as an international student. I highly —Sylvester Mhlanga, Swaziland
Decorah is that it gives students a chance to escape from the Luther bubble and gain an understanding of what is available beyond campus. Decorah has a welcoming community with many helpful businesses. Please feel free to look through the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce directory, decorahareachamber.com/directory the student’s exploration of Decorah.
Connect at events The Luther College Diversity Center will organize a variety of events to help you connect with your student! 8FMDPNF 1PUMVDL t Great food, new faces
This is our welcome event, where you will be introduced to your student and cooked meals.
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This is our midsemester event. Hopefully, you will have bonded with your student and this is a chance to get
carved a pumpkin.
Game Night
This is a winter warmer event with hot chocolate and hot apple cider along with a selection on snacks and treats. Families can come together to teach and play their favorite games with other families and Friends. This is also a chance to meet our new international students and friendship families.
U.S. American culture. Before coming to Luther the only perception I had of the U.S. was through action movies or television programs. My family helped make me more aware of U.S. culture and smooth the transition 窶年ato Francisco, East Timor