Homesickness is a common side effect of the college experience and transitioning to a new phase of life. This is multiplied for students who are thousands of miles from home, in an unfamiliar country, speaking a language that’s not their first. For Augustana’s growing population of international students — a record-breaking 92 new international students for the 2022-23 academic year — the International Programs Office (IPO) works hard to combat homesickness with initiatives like the Friendship Family Program.
The Friendship Family Program is designed to give international students a family contact in Sioux Falls and surrounding communities. Friendship families make a commitment to befriend a new student, provide opportunities to have home-cooked meals and participate in various cultural or community activities throughout the year. Families don’t provide lodging, and can volunteer for a semester, academic year or duration of the student’s time at AU.
“The Friendship Family Program is important for students because it broadens their community of support at a formative time in their lives while they are far away from their families, home culture and the comfort of a ‘home’ space,” said Heather Edmunds Reed, associate director of IPO and senior international student advisor. “Likewise, by simply being themselves, students are role models to the children in their families, ambassadors of their home countries and provide rich language and cultural opportunities for families.”
The program, which was formalized in the early 2000s, paired more than 50 students with families in the last academic year and has had more than 100 families participate since its start.
‘Our home is open to you’
Karin and Mark Youngberg began volunteering as a friendship family when their daughter, Krista ‘14, was a sophomore at Augustana working in the IPO office. Now, 10 years later, the Youngbergs have been “parents” to 13 international students — all from Norway.
“That’s my heritage, and my parents’ heritage,” Karin said. “They (the students) come to family events, and my dad gets to speak to them in Norwegian. To watch him speak like that, he becomes younger.”
Their first student, Morten Tveit ‘13, kicked off a succession of students who fit right into the Sioux Falls family.
“He was my first Norwegian brother,” said Krista. “He still wishes my mom a happy Mother’s Day, and a happy Norwegian Mother’s Day. He calls her ‘Grandma’ now, too.”
For Karin, sending mail, giving them Easter baskets, taking them to dinner, hosting for holidays or bringing the students to family events are just small ways she can make them feel more at home. But, it goes beyond the small details, too.
“You watch your own kids grow up and move away, and now my (international) kids who have left here are into their careers, having kids, getting married or losing a sibling or grandparent — that's all part of it,” Karin said. “I want to be a mom, even if it’s just little things to make them feel like somebody outside of Augie is there if they need them.”
“Why not do it?” Krista asked. “You have an opportunity to not only make them feel welcomed but actually welcome them. They’re going to meet friends here, but I think there’s something to be said about someone older and that type of connection.”
The Youngbergs look forward to adding more international “kids” to their family and expanding their worldviews.
“I think it’s saying, ‘I’m willing to learn from you, and our home is open to you,’” Karin said.
‘Someone in my corner’
Vedant Thakkar ‘24, a biology major from Vadodara, India, knows firsthand the value of having a support system outside of Augustana. As part of the Friendship Family Program, he was paired with De Knudson, a Sioux Falls civic activist and IPO Advisory Board member.
“She is such a wonderful person, and I don’t know how to describe it, but if I was describing what I’m feeling right now — it’s safe. I feel safe,” Thakkar said. “If I have something bothering me, I know I have someone in my corner who I can talk to.
“I think what I appreciate about her most is that she introduces me to things I never thought about,” he continued. “She took me to watch plays with her, and I realized that I love plays so much. She’s taken me to concerts and the Washington Pavilion, or to roam around Sioux Falls.”
Knudson has hosted Thakkar for Thanksgiving and Christmas, which he said gave him an authentic American experience. She has also been a career and networking resource for the future scientist.
Since arriving on campus in August 2020, Thakkar has only been able to return home to India once. He said that being an international student comes with more challenges than other students might face, such as visa restrictions and financial burdens. However, Thakkar enjoys the extra source of support and being able to share his culture and experiences with Knudson — who loves to learn from “superstar international students.”
“I tell my friends that you get more than you give in this program,” said Knudson, who has had friendship students from Kenya, Yemen, Pakistan and Norway, among other countries. “I think we are in a position, as friendship families, to exhibit real Sioux Falls hospitality.”
For Knudson, it’s about remembering that international students are so far from home, many don’t have cars on campus and don’t often get to travel home.
“I’m a very busy lady, but I really am there for them,” Knudson said. “When Vedant calls me, wherever I am, I take his call 24/7.”
Knudson, who often encourages those around her to volunteer, said the outcome of the commitment includes invaluable lessons and lifelong friendships.
“I highly recommend others consider this opportunity,” Knudson said. “It’s wonderful for people of all ages — married couples, single people, younger, older. And, you don’t have to be affiliated with Augustana to do this.
“I want these international students to leave Sioux Falls feeling like they had every opportunity possible.”
Edmunds Reed, who also hosts international students annually, agrees that the benefits of the program are immeasurable.
“As part of a friendship family myself, I have seen my own children be mentored and loved by international students,” Edmunds Reed said. “The students we've hosted over the years are like family to all of us. Love grows in this program.”
To learn more about the Friendship Family Program, visit augie.edu/friendship.
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