IFFP Student
Eugenia Soroka, Ukraine
"It is an exceptional opportunity for sharing cultures, moments, memories, and building new friendships."
International Friends & Family Program
Stony Brook University’s International Friends and Family Program (IFFP) creates opportunities for Stony Brook University international students and the surrounding community to establish mutually rewarding relationships. It provides a chance for international students to interact with local community members and provide a cultural exchange of country, culture and language.
The program is NOT a homestay program and does not offer housing or financial support for students.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to build meaningful personal relationships that celebrate cultural diversity by connecting international students with neighbors and community members.
Our vision is to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for our international students during their time at Stony Brook by providing a unique way to engage in American life and culture to complement and enhance the student’s educational experience.
We aim to promote diversity by increasing multicultural awareness and understanding.
Program Information for International Students
What is the International Friends & Family Program (IFFP)?
- IFFP provides newly admitted international students for the fall semester with continuing friendship and involvement with volunteer community members and families in the United States.
- Both students and their community member friends can have the enriching experience of a cultural exchange and gain a new perspective about the world.
- A community member may be a large family group, a retired couple, a working couple or an individual.
- The only prerequisite is the desire to make an international student feel comfortable in his/her new setting.
- Students are invited to interact with a community member or family who offers friendship to them during their studies at the university.
- These relationships often turn into lifelong friendships.
The program does not offer housing or financial support for students. It is not meant to be a home-stay program. Unfortunately at this time the program is not available to continuing and non-degree seeking international students.
How do I apply?
It's as easy as 1-2-3!
Step One: Newly admitted international students will receive an email with the application link.
Step Two: You will be paired with a community member using an algorithm based on interests, personality and other commonalities. Please be as honest as possible when completing the application.
Step Three: You will be introduced to your community member via e-mail from our office. It is then up to you both to set up a date/time to meet.
The University hosts a reception on campus for all program participants at the beginning of the Fall semester.
Application Deadline
Applications have closed for 2025. We will open applications again next summer!
Frequently Asked Questions for International Students
We suggest you meet with your local family/friend at least once a month, but your interactions will depend on your mutual interests. You decide how and when you spend time together!
You can choose to do activities together ranging from cooking a meal, to exploring the outdoors, to attending on-campus events, from sports to the arts! This is a great way to learn about local culture and experience parts of America that you may not otherwise see on-campus.
The International Friends and Family Program is FREE to join! If you do any activities
that cost money with your community member, you should always offer to pay for your
own expenses. If your family/friend offers to pay for you (dinner, movie, etc.), of
course it is okay to accept their kind offer—however, you should not assume your family/friend
will take care of your expenses, and it is not appropriate to ask them to buy you
things.
The International Friends and Family Program attracts a wide range of families and
individuals from the local community. You may be matched with a family with small
children, a retired couple, an individual from age 25 to 75… the possibilities are
endless! Staff will carefully review your application to match you with someone with
shared interests.
Once you are matched, you will have the same local community family/friend until you
complete your studies Stony Brook. For some, the partnership could last one semester;
for others, that could be a couple years.
No. Due to limited capacity, this program is only for newly admitted students.
Feel free to contact iffp@stonybrook.edu with any questions about the International
Friends and Family Program.
Program Information for Community Members
What is the International Friends & Family Program (IFFP)?
- Each fall, hundreds of international students arrive at Stony Brook University to begin their academic careers in search of advanced degrees. For most it will be their first time in the United States.
- They might not have any family or friends here, and are in a completely foreign and unfamiliar environment.
- Stony Brook University International Friends and Family Program (IFFP), provides a newly arrived international student with the friendship of a local family.
- It is not a home-stay program; students live on or near campus.
- Community members invite students to share an occasional meal, some local sightseeing or a favorite activity.
- Both students and community members can enjoy the enriching experience of a cultural exchange and gain a new perspective about the world.
- A community member may be a retired couple, a family group or a single individual.
- The only prerequisite is the desire to make an international student feel comfortable in a new setting.
Please note, participation in the program will require a background check for community and family members 17 years and older.
How do I participate?
It's as easy as 1-2-3!
Step One: Complete the online application.
Step Two: You will be paired with a student using an algorithm based on interests, personality and other commonalities. Please be as honest as possible when completing the application
Step Three: You will be introduced to your student via e-mail from our office. It is then up to you both to set up a date/time to meet.
The University hosts a reception on campus for all program participants at the beginning of the Fall semester.
Missed the deadline? Join our mailing list to be notified when applications reopen!
Frequently Asked Questions for Community Members
We suggest you meet with your student(s) at least once a month, but your interactions will depend on your mutual interests. You and your student will define a relationship that works for both of you.
You can choose to do activities together ranging from cooking a meal, to exploring the outdoors, to attending on-campus events, from sports to the arts! Inviting your international student(s) for everyday activities such as meals, errands, or family gatherings is a great way to connect and share American culture.
The International Friends and Family Program is FREE to join! As local community
members you have no financial obligation to your international student. If you wish
to offer to pay for activities or meals, that is welcome but not expected.
Yes. You do NOT need to speak another language to participate in the International
Friends and Family Program. However, if you do speak another language, this is a great
opportunity to practice with a native speaker!
You will be paired with the same international student until they complete their studies
at Stony Brook. For some, that partnership could be one semester; for others, that
could be a couple years.
Yes. Click here to join the IFFP mailing list to receive emails when the application cycle reopens.
Feel free to contact iffp@stonybrook.edu with any questions about the International Friends and Family Program.
IFFP Community Member
Dee & Dave Hensen
"We've been doing this for ten years, great program. We've made friends from around the world. Helping students and having fun at the same time. Life doesn't get better than that!"
IFFP Student
Tej Gorde, India
"Great for cultural exchange. They are welcoming. It feels like having a new family. Amazing experience!"
IFFP Community Member
Pamela Murphy
"I hosted a Graduation Party at my home for several international students. It gave these kids a sense of family on their special day, photo opportunities, cake, presents and memories for a lifetime."
IFFP Student
Gurveen Saluja, India
"It is a great exposure for international students. It helps to understand the American culture and also give us an opportunity to share our culture as well."
IFFP Community Member
Jeannie Guglielmo
"Imagine you had the opportunity to share your enthusiasm for Stony Brook and all of the amazing opportunities it has to offer. The IFFP has given me this new experience and that is something I celebrated in "thanks" with my new Friend and family this past Thanksgiving."