Are you interested in having an international experience? Do you like to meet people from different cultures? Then, perhaps becoming a mentor family for an international student would be a terrific opportunity for you! This fall, 16 students who have come to the United States through a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department will begin their studies here at NCC. To help the students integrate into American life and culture, we are looking for mentor families to act as a support system.

We need mentor families to aide and help students with issues or problems they may face as newcomers to the USA and the Lehigh Valley. Introducing students to the area, grocery shopping, using the post office, bus station and other vital day-to-day activities will help a mentor family and student bond. A mentor family will only host a student in their home for the first two weekends after their arrival to Northampton and will receive the student as part of the family, welcoming them to join the family for holidays and breaks. In general, a mentor family will be a point of contact for the student and have an “open door policy” so the student knows she or he is welcome to visit the family.

A mentor family will keep regular contact with the student, via phone, email or personal visits that should happen twice a week. A face-to-face activity should occur every 2 weeks (dinner, movie, games, sports, etc.). At least once a month the student and mentor family will participate in a cultural activity (museum trips, art and cultural fairs, concerts etc) and at least one trip outside the immediate area once a semester should be taken (historical sites, nearby cities/towns etc.). A modest monthly stipend will be provided to the mentor family to help cover costs associated with these activities.

This is a great cultural exchange opportunity for families of all kinds. You will learn about culture, language and gain a broader perspective of the world without leaving home. At the same time you will help an international student scholar adjust to U.S. culture and gain workforce skills critical to his or her future, not to mention gaining a family friend in another part of the world! If you are interested in this wonderful experience, please contact Northampton’s CCID (Community Colleges for International Development) Project Coordinator, Farah Vallera, fvallera@northampton.edu or 610-861-4157.