September 21, 2021
The CAIR Program (Creating American-International Relationships), formerly known as the Host Family Program, at Oakland University offers a unique opportunity for international students to be matched with OU faculty, staff and community families for friendship, conversation and cultural exchange.
“Often, people are afraid that they won't have time to spare for another commitment to fit in their lives, but I can't tell you how many times over the years the hosts came up to me, thanking me and telling me that it was the best experience and they were the one benefiting from it,” said Petra Knoche, international adviser with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and the Office of Global Engagement.
Knoche created the Host Family Program at OU in 2008 with assistance from ISSO Director David Archbold. It was renamed in 2016 to CAIR with the goal of better promoting one of its primary missions, which is to provide host families for students away from home during holiday breaks or who want to spend some time off-campus.
“When I would meet with students who were ready to graduate, it became eye opening for me to hear that they have not met an American friend, were never invited to an American dinner or celebration such as Halloween or Thanksgiving, and they were also not able to share and educate the people around them about their own culture, beliefs, family traditions or their holidays and meals,” Knoche said. “We realized we needed to do better for them and our community, and to increase visibility of our international students.”
Knoche herself once was an international student from the Czech Republic.
“Coming from the Czech Republic as a 19-year-old international student-athlete, I was very fortunate,” she said. “I had an American host family I was able to live with, drive to school with, practice my English with, eat meals with and learn about American culture daily through little interactions or deeper conversations,” Knoche said.
“But I have realized not every student who comes to Oakland University has that experience and is often placed in random housing living with people who may not appreciate their international background.”
Rather than simply arrange housing opportunities to international students who come to Oakland’s Rochester campus for both graduate and undergraduate studies, the CAIR Program aims to foster mutually beneficial and enriching partnerships between hosts and students.
These partnerships begin when the ISSO matches visiting students with individuals or families who share common interests and preferences.
Over time, international students come to appreciate support and friendship that helps them integrate into American culture. Meanwhile, the program offers hosts an opportunity to experience diversity firsthand and learn about another culture without having to leave home. In this sense, all involved in the cultural exchange partnerships that CAIR facilitates gain new knowledge, perspectives and insight from around the world.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my OU colleagues creating such strong bonds and friendships with our students,” Knoche said. “We are super excited as we have over 25 newly signed up OU faculty and staff to serve as a host this year.”
Many students who are matched through CAIR enjoy family meals and celebrations with their CAIR partner, go ice skating or bowling, visit nearby restaurants and museums, or venture out to attractions such as Eastern Market, Belle Isle, or the Detroit Zoo.
In addition, the ISSO invites both hosts and students to attend several social events throughout each academic year.
“We ask that CAIR folks meet up at least once a month, face-to-face, often more than that,” Knoche said.
For example, the CAIR Program will host a “Welcome Event” with food, drinks and fun activities from 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Auburn Hills Christian Center, located at 2592 E. Walton Blvd. In Auburn Hills, Mich.
“This is a partnership we have developed many years ago,” Knoche said. “It is very close to campus and provides a safe environment and wonderful space inside and outside.
To learn more about the ISSO and the CAIR Program, visit www.oakland.edu/isso/student-life or watch the CAIR video for an introduction. Anyone who would like to participate and be paired up with a student is urged to fill out the CAIR Program form.