Information is presented from a study examining the amount, type, goals, and consequences of contacts between foreign students and the residents of a local community (a college town in the Northeast). Several types of data on contacts between foreign students and townspeople were collected in a period from January to June 1986. Results indicate that international exchanges off-campus at this study site are relatively rare and are not highly significant for most foreign students and townspeople. But for those on both sides that do take place, the experiences are mostly positive and serve many useful functions. Findings include the following: fewer than one in three foreign students surveyed knew "a lot" or "some" town residents by name, although 85% perceived town residents as friendly; foreign students with town contacts were no more likely than others to have plans to remain in the United States after training was completed; and townspeople generally are unaware of the foreign student presence. Five appendices are: information used in the report; foreign student mail survey; foreign student focus groups and interviews; townspeople interviews; and staff, faculty, and U.S. student interviews. (SM)