Written by Colin McEvoy | June 17, 2026 | SHARE
Faculty and staff are invited to help new international students build connections, experience local culture and feel at home through the Global Lehigh Family Friendship Program.
As a new group of international students prepares to arrive at Lehigh this fall, Lehigh’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is inviting faculty and staff to help make the transition easier through the Global Lehigh Family Friendship Program.
The yearlong program pairs new international students with Lehigh faculty and staff hosts to help students build connections, experience local culture, and feel at home in the Lehigh community.
Participants are encouraged to meet informally at least once a month throughout the academic year, whether by sharing a meal, attending local events, exploring the Lehigh Valley, or simply spending time together.
For students far from home, those connections can make a meaningful difference.
“I was feeling kind of homesick, and just wanted someone to talk to,” said Ojaswi Joshi of Nepal, a student who previously participated in the program last year while pursuing her M.S. in Data Science. “It’s good to have someone I can speak with and ask questions, because there are so many things I’m navigating through right now.”
The Family Friendship Program is not a homestay program and does not involve financial obligations. Instead, it focuses on fostering friendships, cultural exchange, and a sense of belonging for students who are studying far from home.
During the 2025–26 academic year, 28 students from 10 countries were matched with 22 faculty and staff members representing 13 offices and four colleges across the university.
Faculty and staff interested in serving as hosts are encouraged to sign up by June 30. Matches will be based on shared interests and preferences, with pairings announced shortly after the start of the fall semester.
For more information or to register, contact Linnan Tartaglia in OISS at lit223@lehigh.edu.