Host Family Program
Host families play an important role in the experience of an international student at Davidson College. Host families range from single individuals to families with children. They are active members of the community and have a desire to learn more about another culture.
Host families commit to hosting an international student for the duration of their stay at Davidson. This is usually for a four-year period. Ideally, families and students should meet at least once a month but keep in contact with each other on a more regular basis.
Host Family's Responsibilities
- Communicate with your student on a regular basis
- Plan an activity with your student whenever it is convenient
- Invite your student into your home
- Learn about your student's culture and country
- Be a friend to your student
- Participate in host family events whenever possible
- Notify International Student Engagement if you are unable to continue in the program
Please note that host families are not financially responsible for their student, and host families are not expected to provide support beyond the comfort level of their personal/family circumstances.
Student's Role
- Communicate with their host family on a regular basis
- Return all phone calls/emails from their host family promptly
- Accept invitations from their host family whenever possible
- Share their culture with their host family, and learn from their host family about their culture
- Participate in host family events whenever possible
- Notify International Student Engagement if they are unable to continue in the program
Host Family Events
International Student Engagement organizes events for students and their host families. These events are fun opportunities to spend time with your "adopted" student, meet his/her friends, and socialize with other host families. In the past, these events have included:
- Cookouts at the Davidson College Lake Campus
- Halloween party
- Family bowling
- Cruise on the Catawba Queen
- Charlotte Hornets games
- Davidson College sporting events
- Family ice skating
- Lazy 5 Ranch
Davidson international students at a Hornets game, one of many host family outings.
Apply For the Host Family Program
Host families, typically, live within a 10 mile radius of campus.
If you are interested in serving as a host family to a Davidson College international student, or if you are an incoming international student interested in being matched with a local host family, please complete the Host Family Application form. Applications are accepted January-June.
Questions may be directed to Sayre Weir at saweir@davidson.edu, Program Coordinator.
Divin Dushimimana '26 On the Host Family
"I was extremely fortunate to be hosted by the lovely Parkers, and I couldn't imagine my life in the United States without them. For example, when I arrived at college in August, my luggage got lost at the airport and was difficult to locate, but my host parents assisted me in retrieving it. I was scared to lose all of the materials I had brought with me to the United States, but my host parents came to my rescue. When I think of a situation where I couldn't have had host parents, I freak out. I don't know what I would do."