Help CWRU’s international students feel welcome in Cleveland by participating in Case Western Reserve University’s International Friendship Program.
The group helps students transition to life in the U.S., offers hosts the unique opportunity to learn about diverse nationalities and cultures, and serves as a springboard for friendships that last beyond a student’s time at CWRU.
Read about the experience from the perspective of a host and student who have participated in the program:
A Host’s Take
“Having lived overseas and benefited from host families and mentors abroad, I wanted to pay it forward, so I joined the International Friendship Program at CWRU. It has been a joy to connect with students from other countries and share some of my favorite parts of Cleveland.
“My current mentee, Divyesha, is from India. We have met on campus, gone for a few local outings and spent time together. I appreciate her for participating in the program and being interested in learning more about Cleveland, while also sharing aspects of her background with me. I highly recommend participating in this program.”
—Annabel, CWRU Staff Member, Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education
The Student Experience
“When I arrived at CWRU, I was curious about American culture. Then, I came across this program. It helped me understand more about American culture, by offering opportunities to explore Cleveland, job search tips and personal guidance.
“After Annabel and I connected, she invited me to her house for brunch, and kept on checking on me and caring for me. We went on hikes, to CWRU basketball games, cooked food together, celebrated Christmas, and she helped me go through the hard patch of job searching. She has supported me and guided me, as well as helped me with the resume review, job search and internship guidance. I like being in her company.”
—Divyesha, India, Weatherhead School of Management’s Master of Science in Management, 2019