The Magic of Hospitality and Friendship
This article is by one of our IFI students, Amita* from South Asia. Read how an IFI volunteer, Ms. Jenny, made all the difference to Amita’s journey to the US. My time at Ms. Jenny’s was nothing but magical. Her warmth and kindness enveloped me when she greeted me at the airport. Her home gave […]
Hospitality Adds a New Family Member
Eric and Rebecca Vaas had entered a season of life that many empty nesters find themselves in. Recently retired with their children grown and moved out, they were looking for ways to steward their time and resources well. This led them to get involved with IFI. “We enjoy meeting new people,” the Vaases explain, “and […]
The Definition of a Miracle
Daniel stepped off a plane earlier this year with a mix of emotions. He had come to pursue a Postdoc in Mechanical Engineering, but leaving his young family behind in Nigeria was hard for him. Thankfully, before his arrival in the US, Daniel had done some research. “I wanted to meet the Nigerian community here […]
A Stranger Became the Maid of Honor
Even though Fatoumata’s brother already lived in the U.S. before she joined him from Mali, she still faced many challenges, including language barriers and finding community. She arrived in July 2015 to study Business at Cincinnati State, excited to learn how American people lived. Fatoumata first heard about IFI events from a coworker and began […]
Help in the Midst of Emergency
On December 1st, 2021, Alina suddenly felt a pain in her stomach. Alina had come to the US just a few months before from Germany to study and play soccer in Peoria, IL. She expected to have many experiences in America, but not surgery. Alina called Paula, a staff member at IFI who had helped […]
Overwhelmed with Appreciation
Anfernee arrived in the US from Trinidad and Tobago in July of 2019 to pursue a degree in business at Illinois Central College. When IFI staff members picked Anfernee up from the airport he knew very little about them. However, IFI staff and volunteers showed Anfernee that they were always willing to be of assistance. […]
The Good Samaritan
Onwell arrived from Zimbabwe in 2019 to major in Business Administration. Before journeying to the US, Onwell contacted IFI for airport pickup. “I felt safe with IFI because I arrived at night, clueless, and they took care of me and provided me with everything I needed for the night.” While new in the US, Onwell […]
New Hope Found Through Car Rides and Friendship
Ruixue found practical, emotional, and spiritual help from her new IFI friend. Before Ruixue arrived in America, she had no knowledge of Christ or God. “I had heard that many Americans are Christians, but I didn’t know what it meant to be one,” she says. She traveled from China to continue her education in the […]
A Warm Welcome Leads a Student to New Trust
New friendships upon arrival helped Sebastiano consider big questions and find answers. At first, Sebastiano didn’t want to leave Italy. He was very close to his family and his girlfriend, but his professor and classmates encouraged him to find an internship outside of the country. He finally decided to follow in his classmates’ footsteps and […]
Airport Pickup in a Time of Need
Piyush’s journey to the United States ran into problems early. “My flight (at JFK airport in New York) got delayed over 36 hours,” Piyush recalls. Though spending his first night stateside in an airport wasn’t part of the plan, Piyush was grateful he’d been connected with IFI volunteers, David and Carole, before his arrival. David […]