Your Home in West Virginia
International Student Orientation and New Student Orientation
International Student Organization
The Global Bear Family Network connects our international students to a local,
Beckley-area family. All international students are welcome to join. This
is a visitation
program focused on outreach and support -- it is not a homestay or live-in
program.
New, incoming international students are invited to participate in the program as part of the Admissions process. All international students who sign-up for the program will be matched with a local family—with each family hosting 2-3 students. The matched student and family will continue throughout the student’s time at Tech. This is a visitation program, not a homestay or live-in program.
Through this program, we hope to foster a cross cultural exchange while creating opportunities for international students to connect with our local community, learn more about our region, and explore beyond the University.
International students who participate in the program are expected to:
- Attend Tech International Student Host Family Program events, including the kick-off event
- Communicate with their host family and always reply to texts and emails
- Accept invitations from the host family
- Be open to new experiences and be open to sharing about their culture
- Communicate with the Student Life Office if they no longer wish to participate in the program
The Global Bear Family Network is a visitation program focused on outreach and support, not a homestay or live-in program. We welcome anyone in the Beckley area, from Tech alumni; families with children; young adults; to retired individuals, to apply to this program. We ask that hosts commit to their student for the duration of their time at Tech (typically four years). We try to match 2 to 3 students total to each host family.
Through this program, we hope to foster a cross cultural exchange while creating opportunities
for international students to connect with our local community, learn more about
our region, and explore beyond the University.
At the start of the fall semester, the University holds a welcome event for all students and host families. After this kick-off, we ask that you and your students meet (or communicate) at least monthly. The frequency and types of meetings will depend on your comfort level and how you wish to be involved with your students. Host families are not financially responsible for their students and host families are not expected to provide financial support. Ideas for you and your students include:
- Attending community and civic events
- Bowling, movies, baseball games, or other local activities
- Visits to the New River Gorge National Park, hiking, or other outdoor activities
- Attending Tech sporting event (many of our international students are athletes and would love to see you in attendance!)
- Family meals, family celebrations, and family parties
