International Friendships Inc

Services to International Students and Scholars - IFI staff and volunteers conduct English Conversation Clubs and provide conversation partners to help international students and scholars and their spouses improve their English speaking and listening skills and help them navigate the complexities of American language and culture. IFI also provides internships for recently graduated, spiritually vibrant international students during their OPT year. IFI finds housing and/or employment for some of these student leaders involved in internships, and takes internationals to conferences about following Jesus to encourage their spiritual growth and develop deeper friendships.

Partnering with Churches and Volunteers - IFI works with churches to help them fulfill their desire to love the stranger and impact the world by providing a means for them to practice Biblical hospitality. IFI has over 145 church partners and 1,240 active volunteers. IFI staff members work closely with volunteers from local churches to provide various services that address the social, cultural, and spiritual interests and needs of international students and scholars. The objectives for engaging churches and volunteers are: 1) train them in fulfilling God's command to love the strangers among us in practical ways short-term and 2) serve as a bridge between people interested in impacting people in other countries and their opportunity to impact people from others countries while they are here locally.