The office is intended as a service for you, an addition to the regular campus resources serving all students rather than a replacement. International students usually have to deal with special issues and concerns that U.S. students do not face. Of course the extent to which you use office services is up to you.

You may want to, especially if you have spent a significant part of your life outside the United States. The international student adviser helps not only with visa concerns but also with practical and cultural adjustment issues.

Almost all U.S. colleges and universities have associations specifically for international students.  There are also numerous community associations likely to be helpful, including the small sampling of U.S. national groups listed below that have been established by and for Muslim individuals and/or individuals of Arab world origin.

American Arab Chamber of Commerce

Arab-American Antidiscrimination Committee

Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects

Arab American Businesswomen’s Council

Arab American Institute

Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services

Council on American-Islamic Relations

Islamic Education Foundation

Islamic Networks Group

Islamic Society of North America

Muslim Public Affairs Council

Muslim Students’ Association National Network

Network of Arab American Professionals

Typically both U.S. college and university international student advising offices and U.S. English language programs offer activities specifically designed to connect international students with U.S. students, such as conversation/international friendship programs partnering international and American students, special events involving both groups, and trips to learn more about the local region and American culture. U.S. campuses also generally offer dozens of student extracurricular clubs and organizations, where you can meet American students who share your particular interests in areas from sports to politics, the arts, chess or computer games, particular academic specializations, and so on. Consider becoming part of the American tradition of individual civic service and volunteering to spend some time tutoring a young student or adult learner; working to support the poor, elderly, or disabled; or becoming involved in whatever other cause interests you and may help connect you with the broader community beyond the university. Also ask your international student adviser about “student ambassador” programs that may be available providing you with a chance to speak to interested groups about your country and culture, and about “host family” programs where you can spend time with a U.S. family and visit or perhaps even live for a period in their home.

Homestays offer a chance to live for a time with a U.S. family. They are primarily an opportunity to develop friendship and understanding across cultures and will not typically be a long-term housing option, though some homestays can also provide more practical benefits, for instance when you first arrive on campus or during university vacation periods when some dormitories close or provide fewer services.

Some colleges and universities will help arrange homestays for international students, or your international student adviser may be able to refer you to a community group that offers such opportunities.