Cultural Exchange

The goal of this program is twofold: for international students and U.S. families to share their unique cultures with one another and for Lubbock families to help provide a support network for international students whose primary support networks are oceans away.

How can I get involved?

For Americans Interested in Hosting

We are excited that you are interested in welcoming our international students to the Lubbock community and being a part of International Student Life's Cultural Exchange Program!

How long is the Program? CulEx is an academic year program that strives to assist international students as they transition into the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities. We only facilitate the first event, the meet and greet between students and families. After that we allow students and families to create and facilitate their own time together. This could consist of any form of quality time you all want to organize together.

Do I have to be part of a family to participate? No, we often have many American Students from TTU who want to participate and host a student! If you are not sure if you qualify email Beth.mora@ttu.edu to ask.

Do Students live with us? No. This is not a live-in program, but our expectation is that you will spend quality time with your student/s at least once per month. We encourage you not to see this as an additional obligation on your calendar, but instead as an opportunity for you to include your CulEx student in your daily life, with in person or virtual invitations to family events, meals, American holidays, sporting events, and beyond!

How Does Matching Work? TTU Office of International Affairs' International Student Life will make every attempt to match you and your family according to your requests, but cannot guarantee these requests can be met.

Applications for Host Families are open! Join in the fun today!

More information on Training to come in closer to Fall 2024

Apply Here

For International Students Who want to Participate

We are excited that you are interested in getting to know a local Lubbock family! CulEx is an academic year program that strives to provide you with connections BEYOND campus to see another aspect of American life.

Filling out the Application: This application will help us identify the best fit for both you and our local families. International Student Life will make every attempt to match you according to your requests, but cannot guarantee these requests can be met.

Do I live with the Family? No. This is not a live-in program, but our expectation is that you will spend quality time with your family at least once per month. We encourage you not to see this as an additional obligation on your calendar, but instead as an opportunity for you to share your culture, your challenges, your successes, and generally your life with your CulEx family, and we will ask that they do the same!

Good Communication is Key! - You will need to communicate with your American family during this program. Remember in American culture it is important to respect others time and not leave them waiting for you. If you receive a call, text or email from your host email please respond in a timely manner. This is seen as polite and respectful. Americans are very thoughtful about their time.

Applications are currently open until September 5th! Sign up today!

Apply Here

Student Experience:

"I am Gargi Pathak and have been a part of the Cultural Exchange (Culex) program since Fall 2023! This is one of the beneficial programs that our wonderful International Affairs Office hosts every year. They pair international students with domestic students at Texas Tech and help exchange contacts. This gives international students the opportunity to connect and communicate with their fellow peers. I personally have really enjoyed being a part of this program.

My Culex partner - Madelyn has been one of the most amazing people I've met. Ever since we got to exchange contacts, she and I have been meeting almost Gargi and host sister every month. She's helped me make other friends, taken me to her church and campus ministry which helped me connect with so many people. We talk about God, different cuisines, cultures etc. They all are so interested to know so much about my country and the working and beliefs of people and the different celebrations and festivals and jewelery etc! I got to know some really interesting facts through this. Like the way Christianity is taught in America is very different from the way it is preached and taught in my country, and even more different in the places she has visited - like Morocco, Greece etc. So the religion might be same, but there's various ways of performing it.

I am so glad and grateful that I got to be a part of this program where peers my age are actually interested in knowing more about my culture and a place where i can learn so much more about the American culture and beliefs. Huge thank you to the Office of International Affairs for doing this! I personally think it is super beneficial and a huge success."

- Gargi Pathak, Computer Science major from India

Benefits of Cultural Exchange

It's a Small World After All

Individuals who participate in cultural exchange come to better understand and appreciate the differences of other cultures. Participants begin to realize that we are all more alike than previously realized. Understanding what we share as humans rather than what makes us different helps us to grow and understand the world around us better. Talking and spending time with individuals from another culture also helps to extinguish stereotypes and create unity.

Becoming a Global Citizen

Visiting another country as an international student is not always enough to really learn and embrace a culture. Students are busy with school and are oftentimes under great stress to maintain their scholarships by keeping their GPAs up. It can be easy to stay locked away studying day and night. However, it is important to take time to fully experience the culture of West Texas, after all, you have traveled this far not only to get an education but to expand your cultural horizons. By becoming part of a Lubbock family, you can better understand the people and culture of West Texas. Texans are known for their hospitality and friendliness. Cooking together, attending events, and enjoying holidays together help you to understand their culture and help Texans better understand yours.