Finally Living the Dream
Summer* had dreamed of living in the US since she was 14 years old. After years of watching American YouTubers and feeling a quiet connection with the culture, she finally arrived in January 2024 to pursue her master’s degree at Kent State. It wasn’t her first time in the country, as she had previously taken […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
An Impact Beyond Academics
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Step by Step Transformation
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Encountering the God of Love
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Helping International Students Navigate Halloween
Every October, international students encounter one of the most visually striking and sometimes confusing cultural celebrations in the States: Halloween. Pumpkins appear on doorsteps, skeletons hang in windows, and people of all ages dress up as everything from superheroes to zombies. For many students, this season raises a lot of questions: “Why do Americans celebrate […]
From Strangers, to Neighbors, to Family: Opportunities & Challenges for IFI South Korea
IFI began in the United States, but its mission and vision have never been bound by geography. As IFI expands beyond the U.S., it remains the same: to welcome international students, befriend them, and show them God’s love. Lindsey, serving in Daejeon, is living out that vision as the leader of IFI’s very first location […]
The Family He Didn’t Know He Needed
When Thomas* arrived in South Korea in August of 2023 from West Asia, the country felt like a complete mystery. Adjusting to the culture was hard. A once outgoing and community-oriented person, Thomas now struggled to connect. The isolation became a daily burden, as he cycled between the lab and his dorm. “I felt excluded,” […]