For Internationals

“I am very lucky to get to know these nice people. We had wonderful times. Having happy times with my CCIS American friends is one of my best memories in the U.S. I hope we will stay in touch forever.”
—Takeharu Yamamoto, Japan

Once you qualify to participate in the Hospitality program, you can look forward to sharing mutual interests, the California experience, recreation, entertainment, cooking meals together, a local hike or a museum visit, and lively conversation. These times of "seeing things for the first time together" can be very meaningful for you at a time when you may feel lonely, especially during holidays, and/or Stanford school breaks. Our volunteer hosts often say that seeing this area with a Stanford International is like seeing it for the first time, too!

International student/scholar applications are reviewed for matching in the fall quarter, October-December. International applicants will be matched on a first-come basis. Students and scholars with accompanying spouses/partners are welcome to apply.

Participation requirements

• Due by November 30th - Submission of completed Hospitality Application for Internationals. The more information you are able to provide on your application, the better we will be able to match you to a host volunteer with mutual interests.
• Qualified applicants will be “matched“ to a local Volunteer Host to arrange a time to meet. Matches are made between October and December.

For CCIS Volunteers

“My wife, Joan, and I were Hospitality Volunteer hosts to Chao Ni (Claire), a Stanford international graduate student from China. We had lively conversations with Claire about many topics and we greatly enjoyed our meetings with her. For many years we have hosted internationals students through the CCIS Hospitality program, and we have enjoyed them all! ”—Nick and Joan Steinthal, Menlo Park

Hospitality volunteer families and individuals have an opportunity to share the California experience, everyday lifestyle and culture, as well as learn from a Stanford international about their unique culture, family, and their Stanford University experience.

You are not required to invite internationals as guests in your home, but if you are able to do so, that is welcome as well—for an evening meal, conversation, or to share a family celebration or event. Past volunteers have shared long-term friendships that began with the Hospitality program, and often say that the benefit to both the international and the CCIS volunteer is equally enjoyable.

Participation requirements

• Current CCIS Membership
• Submission of completed Hospitality Host Volunteer Application. Hospitality volunteer applicants are accepted throughout the calendar year.
• Interview by the Program Chairperson.
• Minimum of four contacts with the International per academic year.
• Feedback to CCIS during your "match" time.