Community is invited to ‘Host-A-Boiler’ during the holiday and winter breaks

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue’s Host-A-Boiler is looking for community residents, faculty and staff to play host for a meal, a family gathering or community event during Thanksgiving, as well as winter break, for a student or scholar who may not have an opportunity to go home during those times.

Thanksgiving break hosting dates are Nov. 22-25, and winter break hosting dates are Dec. 15-28. Those who are interested in hosting should contact friendship@purdue.edu to learn more details about the program and instructions for host signup. The deadline for hosts to sign up to meet over Thanksgiving break is Nov. 13 and for winter break is Dec. 11, or until everyone is matched.

Purdue is home to more than 10,000 international students and scholars who travel to campus from around the world. For some of those students and scholars, heading home for extended academic breaks is not an option and remaining on campus can be a lonely time. "Host-A-Boiler" pairs host families with students and scholars to share a meal, a family gathering or a community experience.

Last year, 151 Purdue students were able to spend time during the holiday breaks with 69 families while thousands of miles away from their own families. 

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu 

Source: Beth Tucker, Intercultural Learning Specialist, 765-494-9225, btucker1@purdue.edu