The University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management International Programs Office is seeking families to join its International Friendship Family Program.

This is a wonderful opportunity for local volunteer 'friendship families' to meet exchange students from around the world and welcome them into their lives by including them in family outings and/or meals on a periodic basis (at least once a month), for a semester (this is not a home-stay arrangement, but a socializing/friendship program).

Being a friendship family is a rewarding experience that promises to give families the opportunity to establish a life-long friendship with a student from another country and make a difference in that student's life here in Canada.

Families benefit from involvement in many ways - it is an educational experience for the whole family as each family member will be able to learn about the culture and life of the exchange student and also share their own interests, hobbies and culture with their special student visitor(s).

For exchange students, the International Friendship Family Program provides them the opportunity to become better acquainted with aspects of Canadian culture and daily life through periodic interactions with a Canadian family during their exchange semester at the University of Lethbridge.

Families of all sizes and descriptions are welcome, enabling exchange students to better understand our country's multicultural and diverse society and way of life.

For the Fall 2009 semester the U of L has 49 exchange students from 13 different countries studying in the Faculty of Management (Belgium, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan).

Those interested in becoming a volunteer friendship family, or would like an application form and/or more information, can contact Andrea Amelinckx, Office: E558 University Hall, phone: 403-332-5216, e-mail: andrea.amelinckx@uleth.ca