Cultural Exchange

CulEx (Cultural Exchange) is an academic year program that strives to assist international students as they transition into the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities. 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.

Cahill quote

Benefits of Cultural Exchange

The benefits of cultural exchange are immense and contribute to both the student and the family. If you have never had the privilege of hosting a international student or having a host family, then you are in for a great surprise!

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.

How can I get involved?

For American Families & Students

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

CulEx is an academic year program that strives to assist international students as they transition into the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities. In this season of COVID-19, this could even include students who aren't yet in Lubbock but are attending classes online until they can receive their visas and travel, or who can once more afford to live in Lubbock. The majority of our population is still in Lubbock, but we would love to offer this opportunity to any student who desires to join in, no matter their location!

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. This is not a live-in program, but our expectation is that you will spend quality time (whether virtual or in-person) 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!

Applications for Host Families are open until September 5th! Join in the fun today!

Apply Here

For International Students:

We are excited that you are interested in getting to know a local Lubbock family through International Student Life's Cultural Exchange Program! CulEx is an academic year program that strives to provide you with connections BEYOND campus to see another aspect of American life.

This application will help us identify the best fit for both you and our local families. African Student and American family OIA's International Student Life will make every attempt to match you according to your requests, but cannot guarantee these requests can be met. 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!