1. Help - International students need help in many areas that we, as Americans, can provide with a reasonable degree of effort. Airport pick up, temporary housing, transportation to grocery--especially ethnic markets, furniture, and help moving are the most obvious examples.
2. English - Internationals desire to practice their spoken English. Although most have good basic English skills, many struggle with their accents or their understanding of idioms and slang. There are several approaches that can help. One-to-one language partnering and short classes help students learn idioms/slang/cultural meaning of words. Coffee hours often sponsored by the university can help students interact with Americans and with each other-you can attend or help organize.
3. Friendship - If not pressed by their academic responsibilities, internationals love to hang out with friends like you for hour upon hour. Another key to friendship with internationals is helping in time of need. Needs will arise with international students and they expect that if you are their friend, you will help them. Your friendship should not be only one-to-one. Just as you would with a fellow American, introduce your international friend to other people you enjoy. Better yet, introduce your international friend to a group of others.
4. Cultural understanding & recreation - Arrange for your friend to visit an American home-yours or that of other friends. Involve your friend in celebrations of American holidays...and make yourself available to help celebrate your friend's holidays. Take your friend to an American church. Attend sporting events together. These events will meet many needs they have and will be a lot of fun as well.
5. Travel - Internationals want to see America, especially the sights that are internationally known-- Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Empire State Building, Times Square, White House, U.S. Capitol, Disneyland, Disneyworld. They also want to see local points of interest--state capitol, scenic lookouts, caverns, historic buildings or monuments.
[1] Liu, Zongren, Two Years in the Melting Pot, 1988, China Books & Periodicals, Inc., p. 45