It’s important for you and your international friend to share activities that will afford natural opportunities to get to know one another.  After all, what’s a better way to get acquainted than to laugh, learn, work, play and visit together?
You will share excitement and joy, but also frustrations and sorrows, all the while building a sturdier foundation for your friendship.  The following are several suggestions designed to enhance your relationship.

Communications-Related Activities
Pray daily for your friend and his or her specific needs.

Get together once a week, if possible, but be sensitive to the student’s desire and schedule.

If a weekly visit is not always possible, stay in touch by phone. Inquire about the student’s health, school activities, family, friends, studies, and so forth.

Every so often, send a handwritten note on stationary or a thoughtful greeting card.  Some international students receive very little mail, so your kind gesture will be especially appreciated.

Find out your friend’s birthday and send him or her a birthday card.

Family Activities
 Invite your friend over for meals.  Remember, if you have children, they can add greatly to your friend’s visit and help him or her feel more at home.

Celebrate holidays from his or her country together.  Invite the student’s friends to join your celebration.

Bring your friend on family outings such as picnics, short excursions, visiting friends of family, and perhaps even family vacations.  Other fun activities might include visiting museums, zoos, parks, monuments, or scenic areas, or attending the theater or concerts.

Invite him or her for an overnight or weekend stay at your home.

Include your friend in family traditions, such as celebrating American holidays.  Since most American students go home during holiday breaks, those times can be especially lonely for international students remaining on campus.  If your friend has no place to go, consider inviting him or her to stay with you.

Take him or her shopping.

Invite your friend to cook a favorite meal or dish from his or her country for you, and provide the necessary ingredients. 

Take him or her to a sporting event, and explain the basic rules of the game if the student is unfamiliar with them.

Invite the student to a community or cultural program.  International students are usually eager to experience as much as they can of American culture while they are here.

Let him or her help out with responsibilities in the home.

Visit the student’s home and meet his or her friends.

Introduce your student to your friends.  (Be careful not to show him or her off as a novelty.)

Invite your friend to luncheons and banquets (professional groups, church or community functions—but not fund raisers).

Make your home a place where the student can relax—truly a “home away from home.”

Friendship-Building Activities
Take photographs of one another and your activities together.  Give copies to your friend to send home.

Discover your friend’s favorite sport or activity.  Then, learn how to do it and participate in it together.

Teach him or her how to drive (if appropriate) and obtain a driver’s license.

Shop for food or clothing with your friend.

Help your friend improve his or her English.  Teach new vocabulary and English expressions.  (One fun way is to use billboards and road signs as you drive along.)  Gently correct the student when he or she makes a mistake using the language.

Help the student with themes or theses for school, if appropriate.

Interpret aspects of American culture for the student—how and why certain things are done.

Write to the student’s spouse or parents (with his or her permission), telling them about your friend and the activities you have enjoyed together.  (Do not mention religious activities without your friend’s permission).

If you are married and have children, your children could write to your friend’s brothers, sisters, relatives, or friends back home—if someone is available to read English.  (Again, check with your friend before doing this.)

If allowed, sit in on one of your friend’s classes or labs.

Share in his or her problems or needs; be a good listener.