Host-A-Boiler program provides way to build friendships, share cultures

Purdue students and the family of Steven and LaurelLee Skiles share a Christmas meal at the Skiles' farm home. They were connected by Purdue's Host-A-Boiler program, part of the University's international friendship efforts. (Photo provided) Download image

Thanks to dozens of community members, including Purdue faculty and staff, more than 112 Purdue University students and scholars from 27 countries were able to spend time during the recent holiday breaks with local families.

Launched in 2015, the Host-A-Boiler program was created to match host families and individuals with students and scholars who were not able to travel home during Thanksgiving or winter break. 

Host-A-Boiler is coordinated through the International Friendship Program, which is housed in the Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment and Research (CILMAR). There is still a need for area residents interested in similar experiences to serve as IFP hosts this semester, as IFP provides opportunities through the school year for host families and individuals to interact with international students. Those interested in more information can contact Beth Tucker at friendship@purdue.edu.

One of the host families for the winter break was Ryan and Amanda Busch. Ryan also is a Purdue alumnus and chemical engineer. This was the Busch family’s second year participating in the program. They hosted seven students in their home on Dec. 16. Students from China, Japan, Vietnam, Brazil and India joined the Busch family for a holiday dinner, board games, baking cookies and building a gingerbread house.

"It was truly an honor to be able to host so many brilliant students from around the world," Amanda Busch said. "We feel this program is a true blessing to our family. Our 5-year-old daughter and 7-month-old son really enjoy when we have the students over because it is always such a great time."

Steven and LaurelLee Skiles hosted students for the first time this year, at Thanksgiving and over winter break. The Skiles family owns a farm and were matched with Minfeng Tang, an agricultural economics student from China who wanted to learn about farming practices in the area.

"We feel this program is wonderful as it is an opportunity to reach out to students seeking friendship," LaurelLee Skiles said. "We realize college can be a lonely place, especially for an international student that has left home, family, and all they know as familiar. We feel it’s an opportunity for our family to show love to another who may be needing it and give them a window inside our American life and family life as we know it. We have been so blessed at how gracious these students have always been. We just love them all and thank the founders of this program for making it possible for us and the students to have this opportunity.” 

Writer: Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu