The C-Ville Host Program matches you with a local American from the Charlottesville Community for friendship, mentoring, and cultural exchange.

A little about the C-Ville Host program:
International Students Inc (ISI) has been matching UVA international students with local Americans for the past 27 years through the C-Ville Host Program (also known as the Friendship Partner Program). C-Ville Hosts are knowledgeable, welcoming volunteers who enjoy meeting new friends from overseas.
Please confirm that you would like to participate in this Program by filling out the form linked below. Once confirmed we will be reaching out within the next month letting you know the family that you have been paired with for the C-Ville Host Program.​

BENEFITS OF THE C-VILLE HOST PROGRAM
Participating in this program allows you to:

• Get better acquainted with American families, culture, and beliefs
• Receive practical assistance as you organize your life in a new place
• Receive mentoring, which will benefit your academic, business, and career pursuits
• Exchange uniqueness of your culture with your Host
• Enjoy meals, special events, and outings with a local family
• Establish a warm relationship that can last for many years
• Hosts and their international student friends usually call or text back and forth about once a week to establish a relationship that allows them to check in with each other, provide updates, and offer advice
• Meet with your Host periodically during the semester as time permits typically once per month.

Enjoy this 6.9-km out-and-back trail.
St. Mary’s Wilderness is one of the most famous hikes for hot weather. This is a beautiful water hike that requires crossing cold mountain streams with NO bridge 🙂 The water is only 3 inches (76 mm) deep, but it will be refreshing. You’ll have to walk over slippery rocks and navigate over the stream. Are you up to the challenge?!  You’ll need to wear water shoes or old athletic shoes that are okay to get wet. We will pass a Walmart on our drive, so those who don’t have the right shoes can purchase water shoes there ($15-$20).

On the way back from the hike, we will stop at a historic church in Staunton, Virginia, and eat a delicious dinner together!
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Meet at UVA Clock Tower at 9:00 AM
Get back to UVA around 7:00 PM
Register here
If you have any trouble with registration, just email info@isivirginia.com and we will be happy to help.
Registration cost: $15, which covers gas and dinner after the hike.

What to Bring: Water bottle, Lunch in a backpack to eat beside the Falls, Towel – leave it in the van/car in case you want to dry off before the return drive, water shoes or shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and $10 for water shoes.

JULY 4 WILL BE A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL INTERNATIONALS AT UVA WHO WANT TO EXPERIENCE A FANTASTIC CELEBRATION OF THIS AMERICAN HOLIDAY

ISI will head to the town of Scottsville (40 minutes south of Charlottesville) where we will get to view a classic, traditional parade right down Main Street. The Independence Day Parade has been celebrated in Scottsville for over 100 years and has become famous as one of the best small town parades in central Virginia.

After the parade, we will all gather at the home of a local government official who will host us for a picnic. Our host, Scottsville Town Councillor, Dan Gritsko, will share about how American small town government works–it might surprise you! We’ll also learn about the influence of faith on the founding of the nation.

After the picnic, we will have some fun picnic-style games including badminton, croquet & water balloons.

Please meet at the AFC Parking lot at 7:45AM on July 4 so we can drive together to Scottsville in time for the parade. Please meet us at the AFC and we will give directions out at the AFC parking lot. We will arrive back at UVA around 2:30PM. Here are some items you may want to bring with you:

• $7 cash to share the cost of the event.
• If you have a car, please bring it, so you can help provide rides.
• A folding chair or blanket to watch the parade and enjoy the picnic – optional.
• Sunscreen (maybe even an umbrella) for sun protection.

Delicious vegetarian food will be available. Also add that nice picture of students.

In order to help plan for this event, please email us at family@isivirginia.com and let us know if you can come and how many people will be with you.

THIS WILL BE YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY EXPERIENCE AMERICAN CULTURE AS WE CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY

You are invited to Hike Blue Ridge Tunnel with us. The Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail provides a unique opportunity for history and enjoyable outdoor activity. The journey through the lengthy, dark tunnel is thrilling, making it different from other walks. The Blue Ridge Tunnel is 4,273 feet long, about 0.8 miles. Generally rated as easy, the hike usually takes 2 hours of walking at a comfortable pace. The temperature inside the tunnel is consistently 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (11-18 degrees Celsius). The trail east of the tunnel is generally level, while the western half includes steeper sections. The tunnel is not lit. Everyone is encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp. 
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After the hike, we will go to Hibachi Grill for a late lunch (cost is ~$15/person)

Meet at UVA Clock Tower at 9:30 AM
Get back to UVA around 3:30 PM

REGISTER HERE

What to Bring: Bottled water, snacks, a Waterproof outer layer, Hiking boots or athletic shoes, and Flashlight. Feel free to invite other international students or scholar friends.

Hope you’re having a great day!

ISI loves to match international students and visiting scholars with local American volunteers to practice conversational English. These volunteers are well trained, culturally sensitive, nice people, and they are excellent at helping your English jump to the next level 🙂

Your Language Partner will meet with you to practice conversational English, help with any grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation questions you have, and discuss interesting topics related to your home culture, American culture, faith, food, the bible, family, society, and academics.

Language Partners can meet online or in person. They usually meet for one hour once per week, as it works for both parties.

Click here to let us know you would like to be matched with a Language Partner.

International Student Inc (ISI) serves international students, scholars, and their families in Charlottesville… helping them adjust to their new setting and make American friends.

ISI is a Christian organization and you will see by attending our events that students from all religious backgrounds, all ethnic groups, all countries are welcome and become active participants in ISI. We hope you will be one of them.

We organize fun activities and trips, offer bible discussion groups, and free dinners. We provide a sensitive and caring community where friendships can thrive.