How Jesus Became More Than Just a “Good Guy”
Growing up in India, Mohit’s parents never talked about religion but emphasized doing good deeds and avoiding immoral acts. Mohit saw Jesus as just a “good guy” similar to Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Theresa. Coming to the US in 2017 for his masters in Computer Science and Engineering, Mohit had two goals: to receive a […]
2020 Was Hard, But Would She Take It Back?
Cindy arrived in the US in 2019 to pursue her PhD in Material Science and Engineering. At that time she had no suspicion of the struggle that lay ahead. “2020 was a very hard time for me,” Cindy says, explaining how she was plagued by roommate conflicts, anxiety from the news, depression, and fear of rejection […]
The Traveling Wedding Dress
In August of 2019, Ida stepped off the airplane into a country where she knew no one. She came from a middle-class Indian family; they were followers of Jesus and ran an orphanage. They thought they didn’t have the means to send her to school in America, but miraculously, God allowed her to pursue her […]
Seeing God Provide Increased His Trust
For many students, going to a foreign school in the midst of a pandemic is a nonstarter, but not for Elijah. He arrived in the US from Nigeria a couple of months ago to pursue his Master’s degree in law. “I have always prayed to God to order my steps to the right people in […]
A Year in the Life of IFI Champaign-Urbana
Bill Erickson, director of IFI at the University of Illinois, and his wife Donna both attended the U of I as students. After graduation, they decided to make their college town their hometown based on a sense that God had some special purpose for them at U of I, one of the leading internationally-attended universities […]
Using Cooking to Build Bridges
Karen Mack pulls the steaming lasagna out of the oven. As she does so, she turns to Nora, the international student standing next to her, and explains how to tell if it’s done. This is Nora’s first time making lasagna, but she says it won’t be her last. “I first started cooking with internationals when […]
Innovative Hospitality During a Unique Time
Reflecting on the year 2020, it is safe to say that everyone experienced significant and unexpected change to their lives. Nowadays, wearing a mask is the norm. Large group gatherings are out of the question. Zoom is now a primary medium for communication. Yet even in the midst of all these changes, IFI is still […]
A Gatherer of Others
Coming to America from Japan in fall 2019, Nozomu found it difficult to connect with English speakers in large groups. “I had so many times where I did not want to go to events and meetings because I knew I was not going to be able to understand them.” Then he met Pat Durst, an […]
5 Ways to Connect with your Conversation Partner’s Family
In many cultures, the family unit is an essential institution. Even as other traditions and values become outdated, the family is still considered the most important part of life in many societies worldwide. In some cultures, it is common for children to grow up having a strong involvement with both immediate and extended family from […]
A Loving Community for International Wives and Moms
Isolation, loneliness, and feelings of low self-worth are common struggles faced by international women who have accompanied their families to the USA. Often, while their husbands or children are studying or working, international wives and moms find themselves at home without many opportunities to practice English or make friends. Thankfully, many American mom’s and wives […]