CVIP's mission is to increase mutual cross-cultural understanding and goodwill between the residents of the greater Lansing area and MSU's international students and visiting scholars and their families. Our programs offer a variety of opportunities for students and scholars to make connections and thrive at MSU.
Bring your friends, neighbors, and family to experience cultures from around the world—all in just one day at the MSU Global Festival, where:
Find more details on the Global Festival webpage.
Volunteer:
Organizing the Global Festival Gift Shop is a year-round activity that needs volunteers! If you would like to help, please fill out the Community Volunteer Application and join us in the activities and preparations leading up to Global Festival.
Donate:
If you or your family members have world treasures that need to find new, caring homes, consider donating them to the Gift Shop!
Call the CVIP office for information on how to donate at 517-353-1735.
The International Friendship Program helps Greater Lansing area residents get to know and establish mutually rewarding relationships with MSU international students. It provides a chance for the international student to get to know an American individual or family and feel welcome in the community. At the same time, community volunteers have a unique opportunity to travel at home and learn about another country, culture and language.
IFP is not a home stay program. Typically, the American friend/family meets with their student about once a month by inviting them to their home for dinner or to a fun activity or event. IFP participants often enjoy other activities like going shopping; celebrating holidays; attending a concert, play, or sports event; sightseeing; picnics; and staying in touch through email or by phone.
Many students find the International Friendship Program the only way to get away from the academic environment and be invited into an American home. This program requests only a one-year commitment on the part of the student and the American volunteer friends who can be married with children or without, single, working or retired.
American friends can't help with financial, immigration, academic, employment, health, or significant adjustment issues. If you need assistance with these concerns, contact the Office for International Students and Scholars.
To Become an IFP Volunteer Friend:
If you're interested in becoming an International Friendship person or family, please contact the CVIP office by email at cvipmsu@gmail.com to request an IFP Volunteer Application. Volunteer friends must be able to respect religious, political, and cultural differences, stay in contact with students at least once per month, and adhere to the CVIP Code of Ethics.
To Participate in IFP as an International Student or Scholar:
Spending time with an American participant in IFP gives international students an opportunity to learn about American culture and the community outside of the MSU campus. If you're interested in spending time with an American friend while you are here at MSU, please contact the CVIP office by email at cvipmsu@gmail.com to request an IFP Student Application.
A member of the IFP committee will contact students after their application is received, generally within 2-3 weeks.
The International Speakers Program (I SPEAK) places international students, scholars, and professionals from MSU into the K-12 classroom, senior centers, and community organizations for cultural presentations or performances.
I SPEAK is open to all members of MSU's international community who wish to share their culture with American school children and community groups. Through its presenters, the I SPEAK aims to strengthen the Lansing area community's understanding and respect for cultural differences and similarities.
I SPEAK generally serves a 25-mile radius of the MSU campus. Occasional exceptions are made by special arrangement. To inquire about your school or organization, or ask other questions about the I SPEAK program, please contact ispeak.cvipmsu@gmail.com.
Request a Speaker
Schools: Welcoming an international presenter will equip your students with the knowledge and skills required for citizenship in our global community.
To request a speaker for a school event or class, please follow the link below.
Community Program: I SPEAK presenters can enhance the cultural competency of your members and offer an international lens through which to examine our global community. All applications must be submitted to CVIP three weeks before the proposed speaking date.
Please follow this link to fill out an I SPEAK Speaker Request Form.
Participate in I SPEAK as an International Presenter from MSU
As an international student or scholar speaker in I SPEAK, you'll share knowledge of your country and culture with American students, local organizations, and community members. You'll have a free orientation program and free transportation to and from your speaking engagements.
To become an I SPEAK speaker, fill out the I SPEAK Student Application.
Volunteer to be a Member of the I SPEAK Program Committee
As a member of the I SPEAK program committee, you will help recruit speakers, coordinate speaker training, process requests for speakers and provide transportation to and from speaking engagements.
To join the I SPEAK committee, email cvipmsu@gmail.com for a volunteer application.
We are currently meeting Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 at Friendship House MSU, 929 Sever Dr, East Lansing, MI 48823.
The International Spouse Connection (ISC) is a group organized by and for international spouses/partners of MSU students and facilitated by community members who are native speakers of English. Our mission is to help international spouses make connections and to find friendship and support within the international community at MSU.
Moving to the U.S. can be exciting and challenging for the spouses of international students. To help spouses connect and feel welcome, the ISC focuses on helping spouses of international students and scholars embark on a new life in the United States.
ISC meets weekly throughout the year for fellowship, games, field trips, learning, and encouragement. Meetings are facilitated by a native speaker of English to help with communication, cultural information, and English conversation practice. For more information, or to sign up for information on ISC's weekly programs, email cvipmsu@gmail.com.
The Lending Center loans used household items in good condition to MSU international students and scholars.
Open Tuesdays: 1:00-2:30 PM and Thursdays: 3:00-4:30 PM.
CVIP Lending Center
Owen Hall
Room W146
735 Shaw Lane
East Lansing, MI 48823
International students can borrow many household items from the Lending Center including:
Since the community donates items to the Lending Center, we may not have all these items at all times. The Lending Center does lend lamps and a few small electrical appliances. The Lending Center does not lend furniture, toys , books or clothing.
For more information on volunteering or donating items to the lending center, call Marge Weldon at 517-582-1369.
The Lillian Kumata Scholarship Program offers a limited number of need-based, partial tuition scholarships to the spouses of MSU international students.
To qualify you must be the spouse of an MSU international student who is currently registered and taking classes at MSU.
How to Apply:
To apply, complete the Lillian Kumata Scholarship Application (PDF) and submit to cvipmsu@gmail.com.
The Volunteer English Tutoring Program (VETP) provides free English conversation practice for Michigan State University's international students and scholars and their adult family members through conversation classes and conversation partners.