Supper Clubs at Virginia Tech
Supper Club registration is open for spring semester 2022
COVID: We recognize that we are entering spring semester at the most intense point in the pandemic. See the Important Dates section below for important changes for this semester.
Supper Clubs are an opportunity to spend time in a United States home, eat home cooked food, and meet people outside of the university. Hosts are volunteers from local churches. They are excited to invite international guests to their home for an activity or meal 2 or 3 times during the semester. You and 1 to 3 other international guests will be matched with a host home for the entire semester.
COVID: We recognize that we are entering spring semester at the most intense point in the pandemic. See the Important Dates section below for important changes for this semester.
Supper Clubs are an opportunity to spend time in a United States home, eat home cooked food, and meet people outside of the university. Hosts are volunteers from local churches. They are excited to invite international guests to their home for an activity or meal 2 or 3 times during the semester. You and 1 to 3 other international guests will be matched with a host home for the entire semester.
Supper Club Expectations
- Meals with families are a priority. Put the agreed upon dates on your calendar.
- Communication back and forth between host and guests is required before each meal. Please check your agreed upon communication method and respond to your host.
- Guests are responsible to arrange transportation to their host home. Some host families can help with transportation.
- Guests who cancel the whole semester after signing up forfeit the privilege to participate the following semester. Students who miss 2 or more dinners forfeit the privilege to participate the following semester.
Important Dates
- The Kick-Off Dinner is where you will meet your hosts! This semester, due to Covid, we will have Kick-off Dinners in your host homes instead of a group dinner. The target date for the Kick-off Dinner is February 26 (or before). We will plan a group Wrap-up Dinner with all the hosts and international guests toward the end of the semester.
- Two dates in March, April for meals or activities at your assigned host's home. Dates to be determined by hosts and guests at the Kickoff Dinner. Suggested dates are March 26 and April 23 (Wrap-up Dinner). Come with your calendar!
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the Kick-Off? This is usually a group gathering, including all the hosts and international guests involved in Supper Clubs for the semester. Dinner will be provided. Spring 2022 the Kick-off Dinners will be in homes.
- 1. You will meet your hosts and the 1-3 other guests in your host home.
- 2. You will set up a communication plan. (Email, text, whatsapp, etc.)
- 3. Your group (your Supper Club) will plan dates to meet.
- 4. You will also make plans for transportation.
What happens at an in-home meal or activity? You will not only learn about other cultures, but you will get to share from your own experience. Each host home may look a little different but, generally, you will share a meal together while talking and getting to know one another. We hope that over the course of the semester you will find new friends and feel cared for.
What time of day are the in-home meals? Typically the meal is supper (about 6:30 PM), but it could be breakfast, lunch, or supper. Your host will give you the exact time when you meet and communicate with them. Expect to spend around 2-3 hours at your host's home. Some activities will take longer or be earlier. This will be included in your planning with host families.
Who are the hosts? They could be a married couple, they could be a family with children, they could be roommates, or they could two or three friends. These people are local volunteers in the Blacksburg (and surrounding) area who love serving and hosting internationals in their home. All hosts consider themselves followers of Jesus and attend local churches that we, ISI at VT, partner with. They are honored to have you in their home!
What if I have an emergency? Your hosts will make Supper Club a priority and you should also. Please schedule group meetings, meetings with your professors, and other activities around the dates and times of Supper Club. The host is cooking and planning to welcome you as a guest, and it would be considered rude to not show up. If you cannot attend one of the meals with your host because of an emergency, please contact your host immediately. If they and the other students in your home are flexible, the date of the meal may be able to be changed.
How much does this cost?
This is free!
How will I get to my host home?
Your hosts are generously offering a meal and time in their home to you. We ask that if possible you find a way to get to your host's home if they are in the Blacksburg area. You could ride with other guests who have a car or use the BT. Your host may offer to take you back to your home after the meal. If your host is outside Blacksburg they will be providing you a ride unless you indicate that you have transportation. You and your host will plan transportation at the Kick-off meal.
Where is the Northstar Church?
Address: 3929 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Address: 3929 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060
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