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Hospitality

Internationals posing with their host after a group lunchThe CCIS Hospitality program offers international Stanford graduate students, visiting scholars, postdocs, and their spouses/partners, an opportunity to develop a friendly, non-academic, and informal relationship with a host family or individual. Although CCIS suggests a minimum of one year, you are welcome to stay connected with your host as long as it is mutually agreeable.

Internationals:

Guillem Rueda Oller, Spain“Being part of the CCIS Hospitality Program has been a highlight of my Stanford experience. My host family has been incredibly welcoming and kind. Whether we’re enjoying a lovely lunch at their home or hiking up to the Dish, every moment with them has been filled with laughter and friendship. Meeting them at Tresidder on campus is always a highlight of my quarter. This program not only connected me with my host family but also helped me make friends with other international students. Thanks to CCIS, I’ve found a sense of belonging here at Stanford that I’ll always cherish. I’m so grateful for the memories and the friendships I’ve made through this program. ”
—Guillem Rueda Oller, Spain

Internationals chatting and enjoying lunch on campus with their host familyAs a participant in the Hospitality program, you can look forward to sharing the California experience, recreation, entertainment, sporting events, cooking, hikes, museum visits, lively conversations, and other mutual interests with a host family. These times can be very meaningful for you when you miss family and friends from your home country; and also at times when you feel lonely, especially during holidays and school breaks. In addition, you may develop a bond with your host family that could last a lifetime!

How to participate

  • Submit a completed 2026-2027 CCIS Hospitality Application for Internationals (Google Form) anytime during the academic year. Please provide as much relevant information as possible on your application. This will enable us to match you to a host volunteer with mutual interests.
  • Applications submitted by International graduate students, visiting scholars, postdocs, and spouses/partners are reviewed on a rolling basis for matching with a volunteer. International applicants will be matched on a first-come basis and introduced to a local volunteer host, after which you can mutually arrange a time to meet.
 

Volunteers:

International enjoying a meal at the home of her member hosts“My wife, Joan, and I were Hospitality Volunteer hosts to Chao Ni (Claire), a Stanford international graduate student from China. We had lively conversations with Claire about many topics and we greatly enjoyed our meetings with her. For many years we have hosted internationals students through the CCIS Hospitality program, and we have enjoyed them all! ”

—Nick and Joan Steinthal, Menlo Park

Hospitality volunteer families and international applicants have an opportunity to share the California experience, everyday lifestyle and culture. In addition, you can learn from a Stanford international about their unique culture, family, and their Stanford University experience.

Member hosts attended the graduation of internationals they hosted through the year.You are not required to invite internationals as guests in your home, but if you are able to do so, that is welcome as well—for an evening meal, conversation, or to share a family celebration or event. Past volunteers have developed long-term friendships that began with the Hospitality program, and often say that the benefit to both the international and the CCIS volunteers is equally enjoyable.

How to participate

For more information contact: Hospitality@CCISstanfordU.org