The Cross Unveiled
David* left his home in Central Asia to pursue his PhD in 2023. It was his first time in the US and he was excited to start his program. However, the newness of it all was overwhelming. David felt deep loneliness, so much so that he was admitted to a hospital. One week after he […]
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 […]
God of Many Chances
Mark’s* first time in the United States was in 2014 when he received an opportunity to do a one-year transfer program. He was the first in his family and small village in Asia to attend university. Not only that, but he was the first to encounter the love of God, to attend church, and to […]
From Loneliness to Leadership
In 2019, Joy left her home in Zambia to pursue social work in Michigan. It was a huge shock for her, as she felt American culture clash with her Zambian culture. She felt alone and pleaded with God to give her a community where she could be loved and could give love. Weeks passed and […]
Road to Freedom
In 2019, Montserrat moved to the U.S. from Mexico in hopes of finding a better life. However, her physical disability, disconnect with American culture, and the struggle to make ends meet made her feel like a burden. The land of the free didn’t feel so free, after all. Things began to change when a new […]
One Year Later: A Student’s Journey to Finding Purpose
It was January of 2022 when Varun* left his home in South Asia to pursue his Master’s in the US. He was oblivious to the culture shock he would experience. The overall American lifestyle confused him. “It was not at all easy,” Varun* said. Above all else, he didn’t have a good community of friends […]
Treated as Their Own: A Family’s Embodiment of God’s Love
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8 Values of Working On a Multicultural Team
So many cultures exist worldwide– but what happens when you put them to work altogether? ?? Get to know from our wonderful IFI staff the values of being a part of a multicultural team, plus some obstacles to be aware of! And FYI– this isn’t just for people who work in multicultural spaces, as it’s […]
The Support She Needed When Family Was Far Away
In September 2021, Mary* arrived in the United States from Ghana to pursue her PhD in biochemistry. However, within one week of her arrival, she found herself in the hospital facing life-altering news: she had Leukemia. “It was a difficult moment for me,” Mary remembers. “I felt so scared and abandoned, especially because I had […]
I Think or We Think?: Individualistic vs. Group-Oriented Cultures
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