Navigating newness, together
Moving to a new country comes with big changes, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. IFI’s resources are here to help you navigate life in the U.S., from practical tips and cultural insights to opportunities for connection and growth.
Blog Posts
Honest tips and insights into thriving as an International student
Why Me, A Stranger?
Beatrice* was born and raised in South Asia, and from a young age, she carried a question: Which God is for me?
Determined to find answers, she asked friends and family and even created a plan to follow a different god each month. After years of searching without any results, she gave up and began calling herself an atheist.
“Faith had always felt like a strict set of rules,” Beatrice confessed. “It never felt like something real or from the heart.”
How Can I Make Sure?
In the fall of 2024, Fiorella arrived in Columbus from Peru, stepping into a brand-new chapter of life at OSU.
Just one day after landing, she stopped by an IFI table on campus, where she was warmly welcomed by students and staff from Latin America. It didn’t take long for her to find her place, building friendships, attending gatherings, and eventually joining a weekly Bible discussion led by Bob, Karen, and Fabi, IFI Columbus staff.
One Friday during a Bible discussion, Fiorella asked a simple but profound question:
“How can I make sure I have Jesus in my life?”
God-sent People
Coby* almost didn’t come to the United States.
When a college recruiter from America showed up in South Asia during his undergrad, Coby assumed it was a scam. But his mom believed before he did; she bought all his winter gear before he was even accepted. That kind of faith runs in the family.
Coby arrived in Chicago in August 2025 to pursue his master’s degree. The pressure was real: student loans, a job left behind, and a mom whose dreams were riding alongside his own.
Podcast Episodes
Check out our podcast The World at Home to hear real stories of International students finding community
The World at Home S2. Ep 1: About Us
Have you ever wondered why we serve international students here at IFI? Or who the faces are behind the name, International Friendships Inc? For Season Two of our podcast, we thought we would share a little more about who we are! Let's not be strangers, watch this episode to learn a little more about us :)
The World at Home Ep 5: Building Community
In this episode, we meet with Samuel, an international student from India, at his house in Cleveland, Ohio to talk about Community! Make yourself some chai and join us on the couch!
The World at Home Ep 4: Facing Uncertainty
Episode 4 of The World at Home Podcast, features Bhavana, an international student from India, who opens up about the emotional ups and downs of pursuing education in a foreign country — especially when the future feels unclear. How do you face uncertainty???
Experience the hospitality of Jesus
To get connected as a student or volunteer, find a location near you.
Experience the hospitality of Jesus
To get connected as a student or volunteer, find a location near you.
