Broaden Your Horizons with International Friends

As Vishwa Nellore and Judy Moore strolled through the Durham Farmers Market on an October morning, Nellore stopped at MoonDance Soaps to rub her fingers over handcrafted sandalwood and vanilla soap. 

"It feels different than the soap in India," Nellore said.  "At home, the soap doesn't smell as good, either."

Nellore, a Duke engineering Ph.D. student from India, and Moore, a financial analyst at Duke, were exploring the market together as part of Duke's International Friends Program. The program matches international students, scholars and spouses with Duke and Durham community members. Organized by Student Affairs' International House, the program encourages pairs to meet at least three times a semester to explore local sights and events, share stories and create cross-cultural friendships.  Formal matches usually last a year, although the friendships created often persist for much longer. 

"It is an easy way for locals to be ambassadors for Durham and Duke, and to learn about the wider world at the same time," said Paige Vinson, assistant director of International House. "Our international students and their families are a rich resource for people who are curious about the world."

Currently, the program has 25 students matched with members of the Duke and Durham communities. But with 4,000 international students, scholars and family members at Duke, there is always a need for more volunteers, organizer said. 

Participants can apply online for a match any time of the year. Vinson matches friends as quickly as possible based on interests and specific requests. 

"Sometimes someone wants to get to know a person from a specific country or wants someone who shares a particular interest, such as sports," Vinson said. "We do our best to put together people who have at least one thing in common, to make that first meeting easier."

Nellore, the Ph.D. student, is the seventh student Moore has connected with through the International Friends program. Moore volunteers for a new match each year and maintains contact with previously matched students as long as they remain at Duke. 

"We become good friends," she said. "Every single person I've matched with has been a fascinating person to get to know."

After their first meeting for lunch, Nellore and Moore discovered they shared an interest in shopping and crafts. Building on that interest, Moore took Nellore to the Festival for the Eno in July, where they tried on handcrafted local jewelry and discovered they both enjoyed bluegrass music - a new genre for Nellore. 

Nellore's friendship with Moore has introduced her to experiences and sights and allowed her to step away from her studies and mingle with a new crowd. 

"I spend most of my time with other students my age," she said. "I enjoy hanging out with Judy because it lets me see how ordinary people in the USA live."