637 ISS
American Members of International Goodwill to Others (AMIGO)
Introduction: Being a sponsor in the program is simply being a friend (AMIGO). Sponsors will provide immeasurable help to international students and their families in making them feel welcomed in the United States while undergoing training.
Our goal is to acquaint international students with the American society, customs, and way of life in general. Sponsors serve as an extension of DLIELC and as Ambassadors for the United States, showing the students how an average American family spends leisure time. The friendly interactions sponsors have with the students, their families, and all of the student’s acquaintances, can have a long-lasting positive impact.
Getting Started: Be yourself – follow the golden rule—treat the students as you would like to be treated in their countries. Be culturally sensitive, patient, and understanding. As we work together to further the goals of the sponsorship program, we ask you to remember:
The program is designed to include the students in your normal schedule and to involve students in some of your routine family activities.
For many students, this may be the only exposure they will have to Americans and to the United States.
Ask the students if they have a food or drink restriction. This would be a good opportunity to suggest they prepare their favorite dish from their country.
Try to contact your students at least every other week. Learn to pronounce their names correctly, and help them learn to pronounce yours.
As a Sponsor, you are cordially invited to attend student’s graduations. Graduation ceremonies are usually on Thursdays at the DLI Campus, Bldg 7535 in the DLI Auditorium at 3:00 PM. Your students would greatly appreciate your attendance.
Hospitality Hints: It is up to the sponsor to assist us in giving the students a realistic view of Americans in general, as citizens of San Antonio, Texas, in particular. Be prepared; a good sponsor takes a little time and makes the extra effort to be able to answer students’ questions. This will show students you are genuinely interested in them and their welfare.
Suggested Activities
| Birthday parties | Home movies/videos |
| Special holiday events | New homes recently constructed |
| Local festivals | Sightseeing |
| Sporting events | Backyard barbecue (or picnic) |
| Children’s school programs | DLIELC graduation |
Should be Avoided
| Yawning in public | Using foot/feet to move objects |
| Pointing with one finger | Pointing with foot or toe |
| Eating with left hand | Showing the sole of your shoe |
| Giving object with left hand | Patting children on the head |
| Back slapping | Talking with hands in pockets |
| Practical jokes | Chewing gum |
Keep a journal: You may find this helpful, if after an activity with your student, you write down something special about the day’s events.
The AMIGO office needs you to provide Quarterly feedback of the quality time you spend with your student(s). Please take time to send your Sponsorship feedback at the end of each quarter to DLIELC/IFF (ATTN: Mr. Terrance McClure) 2235 Andrews Avenue, Room G-030, JBSA – Lackland, TX 78236-5259. Or the summary can be e-mailed to terrance.mcclure@us.af.mil. Your reports are used to support and protect the program during budget constraints and program reviews. Reports also help us show that the program objectives are being met.
You are the key to keeping the AMIGO Sponsorship Program an effective and viable program. Thank you for volunteering to sponsor and especially for your efforts in helping us make it a better program. I am always open to your ideas and suggestions. If you need assistance or information, remember we are as close as your telephone—please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sponsors play a key role in keeping the AMIGO Program effective and viable. Thank you for volunteering to sponsor and especially for your efforts in helping us make it a better program. If you need assistance or information, remember we are as close as your telephone—please do not hesitate to contact us.
HELPFUL NUMBERS
AMIGO Program Manager: Terrance McClure
EMAIL address: terrance.mcclure@us.af.mil (7:15 to 3 pm) 671-7700
DLIELC Front Desk: 671-2927
Student Billeting: 675-5050