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Toggle navigationNew StudentsScholars About IFI Student Survey Airport Pickup Get Involved Upcoming Events LanguageCulture Bible Discussion Groups Resources American Culture Student Blog Helpful Links Good News for Struggling Students Contact Make Real Friendships with Local Americans Rochester Institute of Technology Not an RIT student? UPCOMING EVENTS CONTACT US GET CONNECTED Here are a few popular ways to interact with us. Bible Discussion Build meaningful friendships by meeting regularly with a small group of other international students and American volunteers to learn more about the Bible. Dinner with an American Family Experience American culture and build a new friendship with an American family. ENGLISH CONVERSATION PARTNERS Improve your English with the help of a native English speaker. We have American volunteers who are willing to meet with you for an average of one hour per week. Airport Pickup Whether you are new to the United States or you have been here for a while, sign up to recieve a friendly welcome and a free ride to or from the airport. International Friendships (IFI) International students often struggle with culture shock, stress, and loneliness when leaving their homes to study in the US. International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) is a national organization partnering with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students. We work strategically to make the world feel at home and extend God’s love globally — right where we are. YOUR SKILL #1 YOUR SKILL #2 YOUR SKILL #3 YOUR SKILL #4 UPCOMING EVENTS We put on big and small events throughout the year. Come make an American friend! Rochester Lilac Festival May 18, 2024 Friday Night Barbecue Jun 7, 2024 See all upcoming events WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING IFI has become very important to me not only because of all the activities they offer such as support with transport to shopping places to students who don’t have a car like me, but also outdoor and indoors activities such as hiking, games and bible study. They do not just exist during the school semesters but are available year round to help international students feel at home away from home. RK, Kenya IFI volunteers have always been friendly and supportive, no matter the issue, and they always do their best to assist us. This is true from the moment I first met an IFI volunteer to the present. They assisted us with setting up our apartment. For the first time, my kids were able to take part in the slide on the snow and a plethora of other exceptional American encounters that we have experienced. Thanks to this beautiful organization, my family had fantastic experiences in the United States. My husband and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunities IFI offers. Thank you, IFI, for everything you do to support international students. We can only express our gratitude for everything. RS, Guinea I do not know where I can start to describe how amazing IFI has touched my life. Being a foreign student in America IFI has made me feel at home and made my stay more comfortable, enjoyable, and relaxed. IFI has offered me a helping hand whenever needed. I can easily reach out to them for assistance of any kind, and they have assisted me in how to navigate my way through different matters such as the health system, grocery shopping, and daily life. IFI has gone an extra mile where they have offered and opened the doors to their homes to me at difficult moments where one needs to talk or a shoulder to lean on. They have accommodated me on the holidays where I needed family close by. Thank you IFI LB, Tanzania When I came to a unfamiliar country to go start my life in a totally different culture, my hosts, John and Cyndi, helped me to make the first step and made me feel like home. Airport pick-up and temporary housing are definitely helpful to me, but they gave me more than that, which let me have a strong faith in my future student life in America. They are really nice people! Guanlong Jennifer picked me up at the airport, and when I moved in to my new apartment, she helped me to move the mattress by a van. It helped me a lot. And now we are actually good friends since we can meet in IFI Bible Discussion and English Conversation Club. Thanks to IFI! Your work in helping the new international students is very impressive and kind. Thanks! Sunita Thank you for giving us the chance to enjoy the holiday with an American family. Jay picked us up and took us to his house. We had some delicious food and had a chat with each other. We will participate in this event again. We felt very good because we celebrated the holiday with a family who gave us a lot of love. It was really a great experience. Thank you! Yaji Get in touch Your Name * Your Email * Your Phone Number * Subject * Subject General Events Finance / Donation Website Issue Other Your Message * CAPTCHA Δ Rochester, NY *protected email* (585) 729-7400 © International Friendships, Inc Zerif Lite powered by...