Community Sponsor Program Overview

The International Student Management Office (ISMO) manages a sponsor program designed to offer support and assistance to International Fellows (IFs) studying at the National Defense University (NDU). These officers are either attending the National War College (NWC), the Eisenhower School (ES), the College of International Security Affairs (CISA), or the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) in Washington, D.C., or the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Sponsors have the opportunity to establish a meaningful relationship with an International Fellow in such a way that both parties benefit from this unique international interaction. Being a sponsor can be a very rich and rewarding experience and the relationship that you develop with your Fellow can last a lifetime.

A sponsor can provide valuable community and support to International Fellows and their families as they transition to a new country and spend a year at NDU. To learn more about the Sponsorship Program, you can explore the following links to see what exactly a sponsor does, and what we expect from all of our sponsors. If you already know all about the program, and are looking to sign up, skip to the Apply Now link!

Apply Now 

This program has proven to be of great benefit for the Fellows and families to experience the American culture and has led to lasting relationships. If you are ready for a new and interesting experience this year, do not miss this opportunity! Training and materials for new sponsors will be provided by ISMO.

Please contact ISMO at (202) 685-4240, or via e-mail at ismosponsor@ndu.edu if you have any questions.

What is a Community Sponsor?

Most people who haven't sponsored before don't really know what participating in this program entails. The biggest misconception that comes from the name of the program, is that Sponsors will have to provide the officer with a place to live, or some type of large monetary commitment. This is not the case!

The International Student Management Office deals with the nitty-gritty of securing housing for the officers, and all of the officers receive a per diem payment from our office or their own Governments. They do not need housing, and they don't need money!

What Fellows need is Sponsor time, guidance, and friendship.

A Sponsor serves as a logistical guide for an international officer who may be in the U.S. for the first time, and sometimes brings their spouse and their children. The officers frequently land in the U.S. on a Saturday and are in class at NDU on Monday. The officers and their families can get very overwhelmed. It's important for our Sponsors to understand that the first month of Sponsorship is when the officer will need the most logistical support, and should be sure to be readily available. Some examples of logistical help include:

• Advising the Fellow and their family regarding safety, American customs and traditions to include tipping/showing gratitude and use of American slang, idioms, and figures of speech

• Advising the Fellow on transition items upon their arrival. Although ISMO will provide assistance in most transition items such as banking, schools, housing, and medical, the Sponsor may assist in follow up.

• Providing ideas or advice about major purchases, travel, entertainment, and places of interest. 

• Helping the Fellow and family with local shopping options close to their housing and throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

Though logistical support will continue to be necessary throughout the year, as time goes on your role will shift from logistical assistance to cultural guide. One of the real benefits of the Community Sponsorship Program is to show the officer the American way of life through participating in home and community activities together. Some of these activities that have been joined by both IFs and Sponsors include:

• Extending invitations into American homes for traditional American holidays such as Thanksgiving

• Attending local sporting or cultural events that may be unfamiliar to the Fellow and family

• Dining at an ethnic restaurant to experience the officers cuisine, so the cultural exchange goes both ways

Throughout the year of Sponsorship, your role will be more of the cultural guide than logistical support. We ask that all of our Sponsors take their role as a fireside diplomat seriously.