If you like to travel, are an armchair traveler, like young people and/or languages, you will find CCIS relationships are truely “win/win”.
CCIS (Community Council for International Students) is a not for profit, community program within Northwestern University’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS). For more than forty-five years, CCIS volunteers have met with graduate students, visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows, and their families living here for several years while working on a degree or doing research at Northwestern (NU).
Students apply to CCIS to become involved in cultural immersion experiences, practice their English with native speakers while learning about local culture, and participating in local events. Our mission is to support the NU international community, by making them feel welcome while they are here and promoting international understanding.
Volunteer Options:
1) Host Family Program (sometimes called International Friends or Foster Relatives) - Enjoy meals, cultural and social activities, or just tea and discussions at your mutual convenience. This is not a residential program. Some relationships are brief, others last long after students graduate.
Contact: Greta Sims, 847-251-3264,
rgsims@att.net Mary Lucas, 847-328-7936,
mlucasgarden@gmail.com 2) ECP-English Conversation Partners for Students Program - ECP is an individualized language experience for students, etc. designed to stand alone or complement language programs from the university's Linguistics Department. As a volunteer, you will provide an opportunity to practice and improve English conversation skills. Conversation partners usually meet at their mutual convenience to discuss topics of interest. Volunteers will be invited to seminars to review guidelines and share ideas.
Contact: Doris Liberman, 847-676-2932,
adlibs4612@gmail.comDavid Whiting, 847-432-2814,
flaneur@comcast.net3) Spouse Programs - You may enjoy working with spouses and families. Most spouses are here in the USA on visas that do not allow them to work or register for formal classes. Some volunteers work with our informal group programs for spouses. New volunteers are always welcome to make a contribution to programs like: English Conversation Groups for Spouses, Cooking Classes, or the International Spouses social group.
Contact: Mary Helen Albright, 847-868-4979,
maryandlucas@concast.net4) Adminstrative Committees - Volunteers may choose to help CCIS with activities other than working directly with the students or their families. We are looking for a few volunteers who would enjoy applying their business experence in marketing, writing, public relations, planning, and technology. Program development, volunteer training, newsletter, Roundtable Discussion Group, fund raising, & other services enhance the work of our organization.
Contact: Norm Axelrad, 847-975-6727,
normaxe29@gmail.com5) Social Committees - If you enjoy planning and operating social events like: our Fall Reception, Volunteer Luncheon, and Spring Picnic, please consider serving on a social committee.
Contact Joan Fragen, 847-638-9644,
joanfragen@gmail.comPlease fill out the form below if you are interested in any of these programs.
