WHO WE ARE
International students often struggle with culture shock, stress, and loneliness when leaving their homes to study in the US. International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) is a national organization partnering with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students. We work strategically to make the world feel at home and extend God’s love globally — right where we are.
Creating Home Away from Home: Living in an International Community
When Simon* moved from South Asia to the U.S. in the summer of 2022, he expected academic challenges. What he didn’t expect was how much living in a cross-cultural community would shape him. Back home, life was naturally communal; the majority of his family lived nearby, friends and neighbors were always dropping in, and shared meals happened organically. “People would always be coming and going from our house,” Simon remembered. “It was a normal flow.” On the other hand, American life felt more structured and task-oriented than the communal rhythms he grew up with. People had to [...]
