Another friend for International students, ‘OU Cousins’

At OU, there is the OU Cousin program for international students. Every year about 900 international students connect with their American friends through this program.

The OU Cousins program was created in 1996. President and Mrs. David Boren created this program with the purpose of developing understanding, and friendship between U.S. students and international students at OU. By this program, students are matched to their “cousin” according to hobbies, majors, and countries of special interest. Each international or exchange student is matched with one American student and they are invited for monthly events. In addition, students can share their respective cultures with one American student through their daily American life.

The Student Life office hosts many events for OU Cousins like the ice cream social Kick-off event, Fall Festival, Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, and International Holiday Sweets Festival. Student Life office hosts not only big events, but they also make some time for daily life to cook together, play pool, go to the mall, and volunteer together. However, OU Cousins spend their own time together, not just for official events. International students and American students often keep in touch with each other to eat together, help with academic problems, and talk about their different cultures.

The Students Life office provides all events free of charge. Even though students cannot make up all of the OU Cousins events every year, the Student Life office tries to prepare for more opportunities of OU Cousins to participate in every event. Because of these kinds of efforts, OU Cousins can become a strong program at OU.

Quy Nguyen, a assistant director of Student Life, is said “OU Cousins program is a strong program for international students and American students. They can share their different cultures and also build a solid relationship beyond the culture.” He also adds that they try to make OU Cousins program be developed to connect with more students.

The OU Cousins BBQ Party will be held April 30 for all OU students. You can participate in this party that is free of charge. In addition, if you want to know more about OU Cousins, American students or international students can apply anytime on online. Your OU Cousin waits for you to be your friend.