Friends of International Students and Scholars

Are you interested in learning about another culture and sharing your own?
Would you like to get to know Rice University international students and scholars?
Do you want to help an international student or scholar learn about Houston?

The Friends of International Students and Scholars (FISS) program is a friendship program allowing international students and scholars at Rice University a chance to learn about American lifestyles and to become better acquainted with the city of Houston, while providing the Student/Scholar and the U.S. Friend an opportunity to gain new perspectives on the world through an exchange of ideas.

FISS is a flexible program with no set activities or time commitments. Once a Friend and Student/Scholar are matched, they can decide what they would like to do together - go to the movies, meet for dinner, attend a downtown concert, etc. Friends are expected to be in touch with their Student/Scholar at least once a month, and invite them for major holidays and FISS activities.

All community members are encouraged to participate. Single individuals, couples, families, etc., are invited to be Friends. If you are genuinely interested in international exchanges on a personal level, you are encouraged to join and participate in FISS

Host Friends will be expected to attend one informal orientation in July or September and a "Matching Event" that will be held on September 17th at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in being a host Friend, please complete the FISS Application and email or fax it to Paetra Hauck at phauck@iie.org or 713-621-6300 x 12.

About FISS

IIE/Houston and Rice University have co-sponsored the Friends of International Students and Scholars (FISS) program for more than 25 years. Since the program's inception, over 2,500 students from more than 100 countries have participated in the FISS program. Currently, more than 50 "Host Friends" are volunteering to host students/scholars from Rice University. Many of the Friends continue to host the students throughout their academic life in the US. This year we expect nearly 100 international students and scholars to sign up for the program. IIE is currently looking for people interested in becoming a Host Friend. Interested Friends should download an application by clicking here. Please fax or email applications to phauck@iie.org or 713-621-0876.

For more information about FISS please contact Paetra Hauck at phauck@iie.org or at 713-621-6300, ext. 12.