A new school year brings new students to Norman, and at the University of Oklahoma some of those students are in the United States for the first time.

As a way to ease the transition into American life, Friends to International Students pairs OU international and exchange students with area families. The host families spend time with their students and answer their questions, as well as have the option to attend free FIS activities throughout the year.

The international students have their own housing, but many do not have transportation, and sometimes a ride to the store can be very helpful.

Friends to International Students needs more families this year, said Lisa Robinett, the co-president of FIS with her husband.

About 500 international and exchange students come to OU every fall, and FIS isn't sure how many will sign up to be paired with host families.

"Every year it's more and more, so we're always on the lookout for more host families," Robinett said.

Last year there were 85 host families, which wasn't enough, she said. The Robinetts had the most students they'd ever had -- 11 from China, India, Ireland, Colombia, Turkey and France.

"It's kind of like getting children all over again," Robinett said of her experience of hosting international students over nearly 20 years. "We're excited; we don't know what we're going to get."

Anyone can be a host family, including single people or those without children.

Those interested in being a host family may go to the new family orientation 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Norman Public Library. Everyone is invited to come with questions and also to pick the students they want from informational forms filled out by the students.

A welcome reception for families and students to meet will be 3:30-5 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Oklahoma Memorial Ballroom at OU.

For more information, call Robinett at 447-6109 or Diana Tiffany at 325-1607.

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.,cm