The Home Away From Home (HAFH) program is currently welcoming new hosts and students for Spring ‘23. Newly launched this fall, HAFH is a housing option that helps U alumni and faculty & staff match with a U student they host in their home.
Unlike exchange student programs, hosts and students in HAFH match themselves. They meet potential matches and choose who works best for them. This unique arrangement allows participants to customize their own experiences in the program.
HAFH is administered by the Office of Alumni Relations, whose core mission is to create, foster, and preserve lifelong relationships between the university and U alumni, U students, and the community. According to Bethany Hardwig, director of special projects at the Office of Alumni Relations, HAFH helps achieve that mission thanks to the U’s strong, local alumni base.
“60% of our alums live on the Wasatch Front. They are established in the local community. They want to give back and be involved,” said Hardwig.
“This program works to both keep our alumni engaged in the campus community, and help our students know they are alum from day one,” she said. “It helps our big university feel smaller.”
Interested in applying for Home Away From Home Spring ’23?
Here are some key things to know:
- Students pay $2,600 for the semester.
- Hosts and students must pass a background and references check.
- Hosts are guaranteed payment of this total amount in a lump sum issued by the Office of Alumni Relations.
- Hosts provide a private bedroom with a bed, clothing storage space, a desk and internet access.
- Both hosts and students enjoy special perks like tickets to events and venues.