Each fall, Vanderbilt welcomes students from around the world to our campus and community. This year, 450 new international students from 112 countries, from Armenia to Zambia, arrived in Nashville to study at Vanderbilt.
Many of these students have never been to the United States or may not know anyone here. It is an exciting and challenging time for them as they settle into their new surroundings and adjust to a new culture.
To help these students feel welcome and to ease the transition to American life, International Student and Scholar Services offers a way to connect to the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities through the First Friends program.
First Friends is designed to connect international students with Americans on and off campus for friendship and cross-cultural exchange. Vanderbilt faculty and staff are invited to be a First Friend to new Vanderbilt international students. Information and application forms are available on the First Friends website.
If you have any questions, email isss@vanderbilt.edu or call (615) 322-2753.
First Friends is coordinated by International Student and Scholar Services, an Office of the Dean of Students.
Contact: Radhika Reddy
radhika.reddy@vanderbilt.edu