International Students Grateful for Holiday 'Home'

During the Thanksgiving break, many ISS international students had another reason to be grateful – time spent enjoying the holiday with their “Springs” family, participants in the school’s International Friendship Program.

Under the leadership of ISS Director of Instrumental Music Alina Voicu, the International Friendship Program gives international students a home away from home during the school year. The school solicits volunteers from the parents of current students and places each international student with a host family, who provides a place for him/her to stay during school holidays, like Thanksgiving, when traveling home would be expensive and time-consuming. Many families also gladly host students on weekends and occasionally during the school week for family dinners and outings.

According to Dr. Voicu, approximately 30 families and international students are participating in the program — participation that is valuable to everyone involved. “The program enhances the educational experience of the students and helps them feel more connected to their classmates, and the families get the opportunity to meet and learn from the students as well,” she says.

Many thanks to the families of the following students, who are participating in the program this year: John Banks ’14, Lizzie Barr ’11, Evie Baxley ’14, Kendra Bridgham ’11, David Brockington ’13, Skylar Clark ’15, Joshua Copeland ’13, Ben Goodman ’15, Shelby Goodwin ’11, Dunya Habash ’12, Carol ’11 and Riley ’15 Hogan, Jessie Hook ’13, Harrison King ’12, Taylor Landry ’12, Noah Lapidus ’13, Sydney Lash ’12, Ari Markovitz ’12, Connor McGarty ’15, Haley Payton ’12, Maurice Pompey ’12, Emma Ramey ’14, Daniel Ryan ’12, Blake ’11 and Cole ’14 Senn, Lizzie Scott ’14, Isabelle Shallcross ’12, Edward Shaw ’13, Charlie Simpson ’11, Nikhi Singh ’14, Alice ’12 and Katie ’14 Whatley, Eugene ’12 and Emily ’14 Williams, and Gracie Willingham ’12. The family of alumna Sarah O’Neal ’10 is also serving as a host family.

Special thanks also goes to Tommy and Kathy Thomson, parents of Ellie Thomson ’14, and ISS friends Ted and Betsy Melton for hosting international students in their home throughout the year as day students.

For more information on the International Friendship Program, contact Dr. Voicu at avoicu@indiansprings.org.