Provide a home away from home

Provide a home away from home

Imagine yourself thousands of miles from home, trying to study while trying to adapt to a new culture. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a friend and guide?

Rice’s Friends of International Students and Scholars (FISS) program has provided such support for 30 years to the 250 new international students who come each fall. FISS, in partnership with the Institute of International Education, does this by matching new international students with Rice faculty and staff.

These volunteers welcome and befriend the student or postdoctoral researcher, standing ready to explain the many strange and wonderful things about Texas and the U.S. FISS asks for a minimum commitment of meeting with a student once a month during their first year at Rice.

An orientation will be held Aug. 9 in the Rice Memorial Center, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

The Institute of International Education will hold an additional orientation Sept. 12. Volunteers will officially meet their student at a picnic Sept. 23, 4-6 p.m. at Hermann Park.

For more information, call Paetra Hauck at 713-621-6300, ext. 12 or e-mail phauck@iie.org or call Adria Baker at 713-348-6095 or e-mail abaker@rice.edu.