Structured VS Spontaneous Hosts: Understanding Hospitality in Different Cultures
Based on Sarah A. Lanier’s book Foreign to Familiar, McDougal Publishing: 2000. “One of the shocks a foreigner encounters the moment he arrives in some direct countries is that he needs money to survive…Many travelers from indirect countries, if they happen to be limited in funds, have saved, sacrificed, and received gifts from family and friends […]
7 Tips for Watching Movies with International Friends
Have you been wanting to watch a movie with an international friend, but you’re unsure how to start? Learn from Larissa, a Dayton IFI Staff member, who has great tips about the best ways to watch movies with internationals! What are the benefits of watching movies with International Friends? Movies open up opportunities to talk […]
Last Minute Temporary Housing Helps Many Students
This August, Cleveland was faced with the arrival of 800 international students within two weeks. Housing for these students reached capacity as apartment complexes told students that they weren’t ready yet. Staying in a hotel was cost-prohibitive for most students, forcing many to face homelessness. Vishal arrived from India, excited to begin pursuing a Master’s […]
If God Says Go: Hosting Internationals in the Midst of COVID-19
Volunteers Gary and Silvia showed hospitality during COVID-19. The table was set and delicious smells wafted through the house as Silvia’s family sat down to share a table prayer with their new international friends. This dinner party probably looked very much like other IFI friendship dinners: two international students and three Americans sitting around a […]
“Dinner After Dark” – Serving Muslim Students During Ramadan
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Hosting a Halal Thanksgiving
Have you ever wondered how to share a holiday with international students in a culturally sensitive way? Some IFI volunteers in Columbus, Ohio took a step of faith last year and did just that by inviting some Muslim students to a halal Thanksgiving celebration in their home. Here are some tips that helped them create […]
3 Hints for Holiday Hosting
During school breaks and holidays, while their American peers go home to be with family, many international students will remain on campus. Being away from family and homeland can be hard enough for an international student. Breaks often serve as additional reminders that they are a foreigner in a foreign land. Leviticus 19:34 tells how […]
Caroling, Cookies, and the Meaning of Christmas
Taozhen’s relationship with an IFI volunteer family, which continues to this day, had its roots in Christmas. “I first met my host family in Medina, Ohio, via an IFI Christmas trip, back in 2009,” says Taozhen. “I was their very first international student and the family welcomed me in with open arms. They took me […]
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 […]
5 Dietary Differences To Know When Feeding Internationals
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