A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E - Colby-Sawyer College

ut not as nice,” she says, laughing.
Reflecting on what she admires most
about American culture and people,
Nguyen says without hesitation, “The people
here are very kind-hearted. They open
their door to any student who needs help.
For instance, this summer I wasn’t sure
what my plans were, and one of the staff
members at the college invited me to live
with her family.”
It seems that families in the New London
area are proving wrong all the stereotypes
about stand-offish New Englanders as they
reach out with hospitality and generosity
to students so far from home.
“Zui is a very self-reliant person,” says
Marsha. “She’s strong and keeps complaints
to herself. These kids have got to
have a lot of inner strength just to be here.”
Those fortunate enough to befriend
these international students are thankful
they have made the effort and sacrificed so
much to come to Colby-Sawyer College.
Our community benefits in countless ways
from this dynamic exchange of cultures. ■
Cindy Benson is the college’s international
student advisor as well as a
writing consultant and mentor for the
Academic Development Center. She
was selected as Employee of the
Year in 2010.
Halong Bay, a World UNESCO site. PHOTO: Marsha Johnson ’59
A Circle of Support
Five years ago alumna Marsha Johnson
approached the Office of International
Student Services with the idea of
matching each international student
with a local family to provide them
with “a home away from home.”
Since then, the program has taken
off, and every international student is
linked to a family. Each year more families
are recruited through the Alumni
Relations Office, local churches and
organizations such as Rotary Club, and
today more than 50 local families are
involved in the program.
Friendship Families offer many types of support to international students, from welcoming
them into their homes and families and taking them sight-seeing, to meeting
students’ more practical needs such as providing occasional transportation to the bus
stop, airport or shopping center. Friendship Families attend programs on campus as
well, such as International Festival, Senior Awards and, of course, graduation. They also
participate as a group in off-campus picnics, dinners and trips throughout the year,
such as the orientation picnic at Musterfield Farm and the annual Thanksgiving dinner
at one of the local churches.
“The Friendship Family Program definitely helps,” says Johnson, stressing that the
program is mutually beneficial. “The families have thoroughly enjoyed their experience.
It’s opened their world too.” In addition, the program has strengthened the bonds
between the college and the community as well.
For more information about the Friendship Family Program, please
contact Cindy Benson, International Student Services, at
cbenson@colby-sawyer.edu or 603-526-3719.
SUMMER 2011 21
PHOTO: Cindy Benson