International Student Services

Division of Student Life

Fall/Winter 2023 Host-A-Meal Program

The Host-A-Meal program is a new initiative for fall and winter 2023, coordinated by the international student services office. This program pairs local individuals or families with current Reed international students and scholars to offer a family-oriented experience and it brings international students to local homes for a meal.

The program also offers opportunity to celebrate with some new friends from different cultural backgrounds and gain new understanding for both students and meal hosts. We may not be able to travel to all the countries our students and scholars are from, but we can share, learn about another culture, and develop lifelong connections here in Portland.

How does it work? 

  • You register - complete sign-up form below
  • We match - connect meal hosts with students/scholars
  • Plan time - students/scholars and hosts plan the time and place to meet
  • Enjoy meal - the host provides a meal to share and enjoy with the student/scholar!

After both students/scholars and hosts fill in an interest form (found below), ISS will match students/scholars and meal hosts together. Matching is based on location, interests, available dates and other preferences, we will send the contact information to both students/scholars and hosts. 

As a host, you can either provide a meal at home or in a restaurant. After we connect students/scholars and meal hosts, you will coordinate the meeting time and place with students/scholars.

All that remains is to meet, enjoy your meal together and begin a friendship!

The volunteer meal hosts are Reed faculty, staff, domestic students with families and others living in the area. Participants in the Host-A-Meal Program can sign up to host a meal during Thanksgiving.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS/SCHOLARS SIGN-UP HERE

Meal Hosts Sign-Up HERE

 

Meal Hosting Timelines:

7 November : Deadline for sign-up

13-24 November - Thanksgiving Meal Hosting Window

For further questions about the program, please reach out to us at iss@reed.edu.