International Community
There are many opportunities for international students to build friendships with other international and American students at Whitman as well as with members of the local Walla Walla community.
International Community at Whitman
Meet the International Student Support staff and some of the international students currently studying at Whitman.
Grzegorz or Greg, (he/him/his) received his MSC in Poland majoring in horticulture, as the first in his family to receive a college degree. He started his international career at The Ohio State University in 2003 within the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. He was heavily involved in international student exchanges, agricultural internships, visas, recruitment, domestic and international programming. He established exchange programs and visited colleges in dozens of countries all over the world.
Greg joined Whitman College in December 2019 because of Whitman’s academic reputation, attractive location and growing international student population.
Greg loves being outside, whether it is gardening, camping or kayaking. He also enjoys cooking, especially baking various types of breads.
You can get in touch with Greg at 509-527-5005 or leckige@whitman.edu.
My name is Borniface Kabongo from Zambia. I am the 2020-2021 International Programs Inclusion & Glover Alston Management Fellow and my roles include collaborating and working under the mentorship of Greg Lecki as well as the rest of the Intercultural office leadership. I am majoring in Biology, Chemistry and minoring in Chinese hoping to explore Medicine and Research. I am a lover of books, travel and Jazz. New Orleans captured my soul in every way. I have found a home within the international student community at Whitman and I am grateful for the support we continue to receive from each other and the Intercultural Office.
I am from Pretoria, South Africa. I recently declared my major in Race and Ethnics Studies, I am currently debating on adding a minor in Politics. My favorite hobby is sewing and crocheting outfits, even though I have a love-hate relationship with getting the correct measurements! What makes the international student experience unique at Whitman is the close knit community of international students, with whom I share many common experiences with. The support that I receive from this community provides a home away from home for which I am very grateful for.
Hi! My name is Nomonde and I am a sophomore psychology major from Zimbabwe. I am a big fan of traveling to new countries whenever I get the opportunity to do so. For the most part, I like to spend time with my friends trying out new restaurants. What makes my international student experience here unique could be the fact that currently I am the only Zimbabwean at Whitman, so I get the chance to let those who are interested know and learn more about where I come from and my culture.
I was born in Xiamen, China, a city in southeastern China. I am double majoring in physics and mathematics and am hoping to pursue physics in the future. During my free time, I like to play acoustic guitar, although I've begun to be drawn to flamenco style after taking a course on that here at Whitman.
Hello, my name is Marharyta, and I am an international student from Belarus! I am in the class of 2024 and yet to declare my major. However, I am leaning towards Environmental Studies and Biology as my sphere of interest and a future major. In my spare time, you will spot me reading a book, dancing to my favorite songs, or cloud gazing! My favorite part about Whitman is the diversity of the student body that consolidates so many unique stories, so you are proud to be a Whittie, a part of a close-knit extraordinary family!
My parents are from the US, but I grew up in Hong Kong. I'm majoring in History and Chinese. I love running, watching you tube and eating sweet things. Being a third culture kid it was a bit awkward trying to find my place on campus at first, but I feel like I've found a home here.
I am Tejashree Jadhav, first year at Whitman. I come from Pune, a city in Western India. I am intending to major in Psychology. I enjoy creative writing and poetry. I also love to take walks in the town and Walla Walla is surely the place to enjoy strolls and watch the sky change colours as the sun sets. I am looking forward to my years at Whitman.
Connection Opportunities
Learn about opportunities to meet other Whitties and members of the Walla Walla community.
The Friendship Family Program is a non-residential friendship program. Our goal is to introduce international students and scholars to a local family who will befriend them, introduce them to the local community, support their experience at Whitman, and enjoy the opportunity for cultural exchange.
Friendship families provide a "home experience away from home" for students whose families are often very far away. Friendship families play an important part in helping international students adjust to Whitman and the U.S. during the school year. Host families and students establish and define a relationship that works for both parties. Many get together once a month and the Intercultural Center organizes three structured on-campus events to bring international visitors and their host families together as a group each academic year. If you would like to participate in the program, please fill out an application:
What is the Friendship Family Program?
It is a non-residential friendship program. Our goal is to connect international students with local families to develop a friendship and spend time together, engaging in activities that are enriching for both the student and the family.
There is no expectation that families will provide room and board.
Friendship families provide a "home experience away from home" for students. The friendship family and student mutually decide what kinds of interactions and activities work best for everyone involved. Additionally, the Intercultural Center sponsors three on-campus events (fall, winter, and spring) for all program participants.
Who are the students?
Every fall Whitman welcomes a large group of international students (who typically stay for four years), as well as a few exchange visitors (who typically stay for one year). Our students and scholars come from more than 40 countries from around the world. Some of them have experience with living in countries/regions other than that of their origin and they are familiar with multiple cultures. For some, coming to Whitman is their first visit to the U.S., while others may have lived in the U.S. prior to coming to Whitman.
Who are the friendship families?
Friendship families range from large families with children, single parents, young couples, retirees and singles. All families are local volunteers interested in cultural exchange, and are willing to dedicate their time and energy in building a friendly relationship throughout a student or scholar's stay at Whitman. Many families are Whitman staff, faculty or alumni.
Why should I apply to be a friendship family?
As a friendship family, you will have the opportunity to interact with a student with an international background, and hopefully build a meaningful relationship throughout their time at Whitman. You and your family will learn about your student or scholar's country, culture and language, and you can share a little bit about your life and American culture with them. Sometimes students become integrated members of their friendship families, and it is not uncommon for them to continue their relationship after they graduate.
As a student, why should I apply to have a friednship family?
- A friendship family can serve as a really valuable connection point, friend, and resource for you throughout your time at Whitman. They can help you with your transition into life in the U.S. by introducing you to a new place and culture.
- Having a friendship family also provides a great opportunity for cultural exchange. Your family will be interested in learning about your culture and background and it is a great way to share more about your life in your home country.
- Students sometimes share that having a friendship family is a highlight of their experience at Whitman, and sometimes families and students continue their relationship after they have graduated.
What do students and families do together?
Friendship families and students establish and define a relationship that works for both parties. Many get together at least once per month. How individual families and students spend their time varies, but some of the most common activities are:
- Dinner at family's house off-campus.
- Holiday celebrations such as pumpkin carving for Halloween, Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas activities and celebrations.
- Attending local events.
- In addition, our office organizes three on-campus events throughout the year to bring students and scholars and their friendship families together.
What is expected of friendship families?
- Families are encouraged to attend the Intercultural Center-sponsored events that are scheduled during the year.
- Spending time with their student in person a couple of times throughout the semester
What is NOT expected of friendship families?
- Families are not expected to spend money on their students.
- Families are not expected to provide housing for their students. Whitman will provide housing for international students for all breaks when the residence halls are closed.
- Families are not expected to provide frequent transportation. Many families are happy to occasionally help out with transportation; this is not the purpose of the program, but a friendly and helpful gesture.
What is expected of students
- Students are expected to communicate with their friendship family. This includes returning phone calls, text messages and emails. In U.S. culture, it is more acceptable to decline an invitation than to not respond at all.
- Students should be mindful that friendship families are invested in the program and have dedicated time and energy to getting to know their student.
- Students should keep in mind that this is a volunteer program. Friendship families are not reimbursed for any expenses that may be incurred, and it is appropriate for students to offer to pay for themselves, and to always thank families for their generosity and kindness.
How are families and students matched?
- We consider preferences and interests expressed in the application from both parties, and match the families to students accordingly.
- Some preferences we take into account include geographic origins, languages spoken, and gender. We also take into account preferences regarding families with/without children or pets, smokers vs. non-smokers, and anything else you'd like us to take into account.
What if I have concerns or the family relationship is not working out?
If students or families ever have concerns about the relationship, or it is just not working out, please contact us.
The Global Whitties program is designed specifically to support new international students in their first year at Whitman College. The program pairs first-year international students with returning students to foster relationships and help new students adjust to life at Whitman and in the United States.
If you are interested in participating in the program and being matched with a returning student, please complete this survey. Any additional questions can be directed to International Student & Scholar Services in the Intercultural Center.
Global Whities co-presidents:
Pavita Sidhu sidhup@whitman.edu
Lydia Moriku morikul@whitman.edu
Treasurer:
Angel Baikakedi baikakea@whitman.edu
The Glover Alston Center, commonly known as the GAC is a resource to facilitate Whitman’s commitment to sustaining a diverse community. The Glover Alston Center welcomes and supports differences, collaborates with academic departments, encourages input from divergent perspectives, enhances intercultural and international awareness, and models respect for all in the Whitman community. The Glover Alston Center achieves this by serving as:
- A unique place for programs to develop understanding, and community involvement.
- A place where conversations about diversity, difference, multiculturalism and social justice occur.
- A social and academic space for collaboration between members of the Whitman community.
- A meeting place and home for campus organizations and clubs. An open space for meditation, contemplation, and reflection.
- Conference room, media room and fully equipped kitchen allows for programming and activities for Whitman community.
- Generous and welcoming outdoor area for gatherings and activities.
With this facility, the Whitman community hopes to foster meaningful exchanges between individuals and groups for the greater understanding and mutual respect of one another by encouraging engagement, leadership development and learning.
The Glover Alston Center is located near the west side of the campus, at 26 Boyer Ave.
Whitman College uses Canvas platform to deliver academic content. International Office adopted the same platform to facilitate communication and discussions with international students.
All incoming international students are invited to the International Students Canvas Site. ISSS announcements and instructions on taxes, health insurance, employment and other topics are posted primarily on that site.
You can adjust your own notification options so whenever new announcement is posted you receive email warning.
Most of these announcements allow for discussion. Students are encouraged to post questions publicly so others can benefit from the additional information provided in responses.
If you have no access to this Canvas site, notify the DSO (leckige@whitman.edu) immediately.