Hoosier Hospitality Program (H.H.P)

"A World of Friendship"

*Next Gathering: Thanksgiving Dinner Pitch-in- Complete your application (below)today and recieve more details!

What is the H.H.P?
The Hoosier Hospitality Program is a successful and fun family-student initiative, designed to promote cross-cultural understanding by fostering interaction between Putnam County residents and DePauw University international students.  Local families benefit from these friendships by learning more about the ways of life in other lands. For international students participating in the program, the opportunity to make new friends, experience American family life, and contribute to greater understanding of other cultures are a few of the many rewards of this program.

Goal: To faciliate cultural exchange and friendship between DePauw international students and Putnam County citizens. The relationships formed between students and families are priceless!

Prospective Families & Friends
Those interested in becoming a family friend should contact the Center for International and Experiential Education (Durham House).  At the beginning of each semester we organize a gathering which gives families the opportunity to meet new students.  The Coordinator of the program will match a student with each family in time for the gathering.  Contact information will be provided to the families and students. Participants may be called upon to help organize potluck dinners for holidays or other social events.

Prospective International Students
Students interested in having a family friend should contact the Center for International and Experiential Education. The program coordinator will inform all students of their host family assignments at the beginning of each semester.

What Is Expected?
After receiving their student's information, families take the initiative to contact their assigned students.  Families could invite their assigned student(s) to their home for dinner or lunch and on special holidays.  The students could also prepare or teach their family friend how to make their country’s food or crafts.
Family Friends are expected to:

  • Meet with their student(s) at least three times per semester either on or off-campus.
  • Be a resource to the student, available to provide perspective about their experiences in Greencastle as well as what Indiana has to offer.
  • Be open to a student’s particular customs and cultural background, while at the same time willing to be honest with the Center if the placement isn't one they are comfortable with.
  • Get to know the student, ask questions and be respectful of a student's individuality.
  • Make a commitment of one academic year.
  • Participate in organized gatherings and/or potluck dinners.
The transition to college is often hard for a student. Students coming to Greencastle for the first time, especially international students may encounter unique cultural challenges in addition to the usual hurdles.
Participating students are expected to:
  • Spend time either on or off-campus with their host family on a regular basis.
  • Share their perspectives and ideas with their family friend.
  • Attend program-sponsored events offered by the Center for International and Experiential Education and respond to phone calls and invitations from the host family and the Center.
  • Be open to ideas, activities, styles and customs of their host and communicate their concerns to the Center as much as needed.

What Is Not Expected?
Family friends are not expected to support the students financially or to board them at their homes.

Suggested activities to partake in include, but not limited to:

  • Picnics
  • Outings to historical sites and fesitvals: Covered Bridge Festival, local peformances
  • Occupational and professional experiences
  • Sports events
  • National holiday and religious observances, such as Thanksgiving and Fourth of July
  • celebrate a birthday or watch movies
HHP Documents
HHP Flyer
HHP Student Application PDF or Word Document (Return before September 1st)
HHP Family Application PDF or Word Document (Return before September 1st)

Getting Started Orientation Booklet


Contact Info:
Center for International and Experiential Education
Durham House
DePauw University
309 E. Seminary St.
Greencastle, IN 46135
Email: rajaibimbo@depauw.edu
Phone: (765) 658-4058