Home Away from Home is an opportunity for international graduate students and local Boston community members to connect in a social setting to enhance the Boston experience for both long-time residents and Northeastern students.
The goal of this program is to provide a way for students to build a sense of community in Boston and foster connections with local residents involved in our neighborhoods and campus community. Participants will have the opportunity to share their culture and learn a new culture through this exchange.
Fall 2025
We are excited for a new year of Home Away from Home opportunities. Each fall graduate international students, Boston community members, alumni, and NU staff and faculty can sign-up. Please review the FAQ and Guidelines below.
For Graduate Students:
Find your “Home Away from Home” in Boston!
Are you a graduate international student looking to connect beyond campus? Join Home Away from Home and be paired with a local community member who can help you explore Boston and feel more at home. It’s free, flexible, and a great way to build real connections and discover the city with a friendly local.
- Low commitment
- Cross-cultural friendship
- Enjoy access to group events and free Boston activities!
For Boston Community Members:
Help a student feel at home in Boston.
Are you a local Boston neighbor, community leader, co-op employer? Are you a Northeastern, alum, staff, or faculty? Be part of Home Away from Home, a Northeastern University initiative connecting international graduate students with our greater Boston community. Share your neighborhood, culture, and local insights in a low-key, meaningful way. No budget, no pressure—just a chance to make a difference, one connection at a time.
- Build cross-cultural connections with current, international graduate students
- Share your favorite local spots
- Invitations to free community events to explore Boston arts, cultural events, and community spirit.
The deadline to sign-up for Fall 2025 is October 30th, 2025. All matches will be introduced the week by November 6th. Questions? Please email Mallory Pernaa at m.pernaa@northeastern.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in Home Away from Home?
Currently this program is open to Northeastern’s international graduate students and Boston-area community members (non-student residents). This includes neighbors, community organization leaders, and more. This includes NU faculty and staff that are on campus regularly, or alumni that may live or work nearby.
How does Northeastern match students and non-student residents?
After completing the initial interest form for Fall 2025, Northeastern staff review submissions to find a match near your neighborhood. All interested participants are invited to an annual kick-off on Tuesday, November 18th to meet in-person on campus. In addition, we host semesterly group events to get acquainted. Throughout the year, students and community members are matched individually and connected via introductory email.
What are the requirements to participate?
This is low-commitment! We only ask that you meet up with your match at least once each semester in which you participate. Most matches report meeting up a few times each year as their schedules allow. View our full guidelines and expectations here.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, this program is free! All participants are encouraged to enjoy free events and opportunities in Boston. Individual matches have the option if they want to elect to do something that has a fee. Each semester there will be a group event for participants that is funded by Northeastern. Attendance at group events is always optional. In addition, you can attend group events with or without your match.
Can NU faculty and staff participate?
Yes! We love having Northeastern members involved in this growing program. We encourage faculty and staff to share this opportunity with their departments and colleagues.
As a Boston community member, am I required to host students in my home?
No hosting is required! This program does not require any housing. We simply encourage students and community members that are matched to explore Boston and create a plan that works for your individual schedules and personal preferences.
In addition, there is no requirement to host students during holiday breaks or during the academic year.
How do I sign up?
Submit the interest form for Fall 2025 here. We review the form regularly and do monthly outreach from October- June. You will be added to our monthly newsletter to receive updates.
Testimonials
“This is exactly what we want, being an international student — to meet people in Boston and have a cultural exchange.”
Harsh Shah, Student Participant (2023)
“It’s the connection that you gain in getting to understand another human being and then feeling how much you have in common.”
Deborah Reinhardt, Community Member (2023-2024)
“I don’t think I’ll ever have as much of a Massachusetts experience as I did that night,”
Sruthi Veerhadi, Student Participant (2024)
“Any student who comes from around the world, who comes to this community, is someone we would welcome”
Amy D’Ablemont Burnes, Community Member (2022-2025)
View photos of our past events!
