International Hospitality Program
What is the International Hospitality Program (IHP)?
The IHP is a friendship program. The IHP is a group of community and campus families who wish to enrich the lives of their families and the international students at SIUE. The IHP seeks to promote mutually rewarding relationships between American families and international students at SIUE. International students do not live with their host families.
The IHP assigns each student a host family. The host family serves as a “family away from home.” Host families often invite the student to participate in social or family gatherings. The IHP sponsors discussion groups and the International Women's Organization, which has invited many of our students to share their experiences in a public setting. View our Photo Gallery.
What is a Host family?
Host families are caring friends who are interested in you. They can be your "family" away from home. You can request a host family during international student orientation in your first week at SIUE. We invite you to watch this video featuring IHP's support of students over the years.
What does a host family do?
Your host family will contact you as soon as possible. They will invite you to their home so you will feel you have a local family. They may offer advice on banking, shopping, laundries, automobile responsibilities, housing and health concerns. They would like you to be a friend. Inform them of your food preferences or restrictions. Be prompt to meetings, especially to a meal. Be honest when you accept or decline invitations. Tell them of changes in your phone number and address.
Your host family should not help with financial or immigration problems or academic advice. These issues should be brought to the Office of International Affairs. Insurance and liability laws make borrowing or lending automobiles inadvisable.
How do I sign up for a host family?
New international students are invited to participate in the International Hospitality Program and sign up for a host family each term during orientation week.
What if it is not a good relationship?
You may request a different family if you wish by contacting the Office of International Affairs. Staff will forward your request to IHP leadership.
Where do I find out about IHP activities?
You will receive notices via email of all IHP events. The SIUE Office of International Affairs also publicizes IHP activities. All international students are invited to IHP events.
If you have questions or need further assistance with furniture or household goods, you may contact IHP Leadership Team Member, Bessie Fick at [email protected]
How to I request household goods?
The International Hospitality Program is happy to assist international students with obtaining household goods and furniture items. To make a request, please fill out THIS FORM. Requesting an item does not guarantee that IHP has it or that you will receive all of the requested items.
