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Dates and times for the Spring 2012 Orientation and Check-In and general arrival information for new students can be found by following these links to the: Helpful Link:
Help to Find an Apartment in Houston (APARTMENT DIRECTIONS)  
International Friendship Program          top

What is It?

          If you are willing to make the time once a month to meet with a Houston family, married couple, or single, the University of Houston's International Friendship Program offers an opportunity for you to become friends with an American family and to enrich your educational experience in the United States.

Can I see some friendship program photographs?

                  Sure! Click here to go to the photographs showing matched up Houston area families  and international students.

What is Involved?
    Friendship volunteers are families and singles in the Houston area who are interested in meeting international students and scholars. By inviting you to their homes and sharing family activities with you, they help you enjoy cultural opportunities and visit different places in the city. New students are given priority because they need more assistance in learning about Houston and in making new friends. A special orientation is required for all participants (students and friendship volunteers).

How Do I Sign-up?

    Click here to complete the online application form for the International Friendship Program.

    If you have questions about the program, you may email Dale Hamilton, the program coordinator, Monday through Friday at dhamilto@central.uh.edu.

What Should I Expect?
    You will be given information about your friendship family by mail as soon as an assignment is made. Your family or single person will receive information about you at the same time and will call or write to arrange to meet with you.
Some things a family might do with you for your once a month get together are:
  • Take you sightseeing
  • Have you over for a meal, family birthday celebration or special holidays
  • Take you with them to a sports or cultural event

    • Families are encouraged to give you assistance as needed when you first arrive, then see or call you at least once a month. We hope you will stay in touch throughout your stay in America.

What if I have Problems?
    If you do not hear from your assigned family/friend, or if you have problems in establishing a relationship, contact Dale Hamilton.
A Great Experience!
    Remember, the International Friendship Program offers a great opportunity for you to make new friends and to enrich your educational and cultural experience in the United States.
 
Admission to the University of Houston          top
    Note: The International Students & Scholars Services Office can not assist you with the admissions process! The function of our office is to assist you after you arrive in the United States and have already been admitted to the University of Houston.
    Welcome Center
    4400 University Drive
    Houston, TX 77204-2023
    (713) 743-1010 (Select option 4 during the recorded message)
    http://www.uh.edu/enroll/admis/OIA/
    (Many of your general admissions questions and requests can be addresses by visiting the Office of International Admissions website.)
    The Office of International Admissions (OIA) is separate from our office. Along with the general Office of Admissions, OIA provides assistance with understanding the admissions policies of the university, processing admissions applications to the academic programs offered at UH, notifying students of the required academic credentials needed to complete the application file, advising students on their academic options, and in granting permission for students to take the in-house Satellite TOEFL (STOEFL).

    For graduate students, OIA works closely with graduate departments in assessing the coursework for an admission decision. For undergraduate students, OIA makes the admission decision for their admission, administers foreign transfer credit for undergraduate university coursework taken outside the U.S., assists students with an individual review (appeal) process, if they do not meet admissions requirements, and works with the Language and Culture Center in accepting successful graduation of Level 6 students' coursework in place of the TOEFL requirement.

    OIA works with the International Student & Scholar Services Office in providing a handbook each semester for newly admitted international students. A copy of this New International Student Handbook is also on this web site.

State law requires that you be informed of the following:
(1) with few exceptions, you are entitled on request to be informed about the information the University collects about you by use of this form;
(2) Under sections 552.021 and 552.023 of the Government Code, you are entitled to receive and review the information; and
(3) Under section 559.004 of the Government Code, you are entitled to have the University correct information about you that is incorrect.

International Student & Scholar Services Office
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