New for 2011-2012!
Formally known as the host family program, the Canisius Community Family program is now open to not only just international students, but to students from outside of Western New York as well. These students may not have any connection or ties to the city of Buffalo, outside of the immediate campus. This program aims to connect a faculty, staff or alumns with either an international student or student from out of the area in order to show them just what being an American family living in Buffalo has to offer!
What is the Canisius Community Family Program?
To encourage cultural exchanges and communication, the Office of International Student Programs sponsors a community family program which pairs an international or out of area student with American families from the Canisius College community. Families include their student in family events, activities, and holiday celebrations. Families are encouraged to contact and invite their student to family outings at least once per month. The ISP office hosts two events each semester to encourage communication between families and their students. The student does not live with the family. The family should provide a support network for their international or out of area student.
Who can participate?
Any faculty, staff member, alumn, or friend of the Canisius community is welcome to join the program. Whether you are a family of one or twenty, we appreciate anyone who is willing to volunteer their time!
Students will be contacted over the summer to see if they are interested in signing up for the program. Our goal is to match the students with their community family before their arrival to campus in August. This way, families will be able to begin communication with their student and perhaps ease their anxities about starting college and moving to a new city.
More Information:
Check out this brochure for more information on the program:
If you have additional questions, feel free to email ispmail@canisius.edu or call us at (716) 888-2784.
Applications:
To sign-up for the program, please click on one of the links below to fill out the online application. Once we have received your application, you will be contacted by our office with more information!
Volunteers to be a Community Family:
Students that would like to be paired with a Community Family: