Kids Life Tuscaloosa September/ October 2022 | Page 14

TUSCALOOSA INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY september / october 2022

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Since 1972 , Tuscaloosa International Friends ( TIF ) has been connecting Tuscaloosa residents with international students enrolled at UA , Shelton State , and Stillman . TIF is a great way to meet and connect with people from around the world !

Minda Paxton and her family have served as a Friendship Family ( host family ) for the organization for almost two decades . She joined TIF ’ s board of directors three years ago . Paxton explained that she has always emphasized a “ global understanding ” and cultural learning with her children , which stems from her passion for traveling and experiencing different cultures . Over the years , Paxton ’ s family has been the friendship family for students from Nigeria , Germany , Austria and a few Asian countries . They have shared in the cuisine of their respective countries . They have been able to help their students experience their first high school football game and dance . They have gone to lakes , beaches and parks for hikes .
Our goal is promoting Friendships between students and families from different backgrounds and cultures . TIF families help students adjust to life in Tuscaloosa , plus get to learn about the students ’ lives in their country . Together they gain an understanding and appreciation of the traditions and values of each other ’ s cultures and find common ground in the process .
Being a part of TIF is simply being a friend , by engaging your student in everyday activities you enjoy like a walk in the park , a softball / soccer game , a cookout , grocery shopping and sharing Southern traditions and hospitality . All this is new and interesting to students ! TIF does not require knowing a foreign language , and the students do not live with you .
Opeyemi Adewumi , a Nigerian student pursuing a doctorate in human nutrition , met her friendship family at a TIF welcome event . “ It was so heartwarming to know that you have somebody here because your parents are not here at all ,” Adewumi said . “ I really loved it .”
Being involved with TIF is a rewarding experience for Tuscaloosa families , Paxton said and “ there ’ s a missed opportunity of building relationships and cultural understanding and respect that we ’ re really missing out on when you don ’ t engage with these international students ”.
UA is expecting its largest contingent of international students for the fall semester 2022 . TIF needs more Friendship Families in Tuscaloosa . Would You like to be a Friendship Family ?
For more information and Friendship Family form , please go to www . TuscaloosalnternationalFriends . com
Questions : ksputh @ comcast . net or maph1960 @ gmail . com
Facebook Page : Tuscaloosa International Friends
Instagram : @ tuscintlfriends
Be a friendly face in a faraway place .