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 Ep 3: Cross-Cultural Friendships
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you put two natural introverts on a podcast? For Episode 3 of The World at Home podcast we interview Sonia, a college student from Indonesia, who shares how she has learned to grow cross-cultural friendships in the US. Naturally an introvert, Sonia has had to grow her confidence to go outside of her comfort zone- to make others feel more at home, just like others did for her.
The World at Home Ep. 2: To Say Goodbye
Episode 2 of The World at Home podcast we interview IFI Staff member and former international student from Rwanda, Viviane about her experiences with saying goodbye and grief.
The World at Home Ep. 1: A Great Return
Welcome to The World At Home, a podcast where we will explore the incredible journeys of international students who’ve come to the U.S. to study, learn, and grow. In each episode, we’ll hear first hand stories from people who have left their home countries to the United States, now navigating new academic and/or professional, cultural, and personal landscapes.In this Episode we interview Carol from Brazil on her experience visiting home after many years.
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.
