Discovering and Getting to Know International Students

1. Pray - ask God for guidance and openness.
   
2. The whole group should plan to make contact with and befriend international students, perhaps with a special emphasis on a particular hall of residence or a particular nationality. Once you've begun a friendship with one person, the whole group of that culture will open to you.
   
3. Sometimes there's something like a "Friendship Connection," a pen-pal opportunity through the university or college giving contact with internationals even before they arrive.
   
4. Welcome international students as they arrive. Meet them at bus stops, the train station or airport. Several weeks before the beginning of the semester or term put up a poster in the airport or train station with your group's telephone number, so international students know where to find help. Set up a "Welcome Table."
   
5. Often in the first week of the semester the International Student Office holds an orientation for new international students. Usually they are happy to receive help from community people and students.
   
6. Run your own orientation, city tour, excursions, etc. Goal - to get to know international students and win their friendship. A reception-dinner with a musical program at the beginning of the semester could be a good way for group members to meet internationals.
   
7. A book table with Bibles or other literature in many languages could be set up in an area where students like to congregate.
   
8. Students of different nationalities often congregate in different areas of the university. Take initiative to go to them and begin conversation. These are also good places to give printed invitations to international events, but this shouldn't take the place of personal conversation.
   
9. Sponsor outings, parties, international dinners, an international folk festival.
   
10. Encourage group members to sit next to international students in lectures or in the cafeteria, offering to study or eat together.
    
11. Contact international student groups on campus, national churches (Chinese, Korean, etc.), the international student club or center. A list of international student organizations is usually available from the administration office or the International Student Office.
    
12. Often, international student groups hold national celebrations. Visit and take part in such various cultural programs to learn something about another culture and to get acquainted with international students. Ask questions and get to know the leaders of such groups. The school newspaper may have a calendar listing international student activities, or look at bulletin boards and kiosks.
    
13. Language schools, language examinations and special language instruction (for example, courses for exchange student programs), may provide opportunities for group members to meet internationals. International students may be required to take a language examination at the start of the semester. The language lab is also a good place to meet internationals.
    
14. English tutoring is a good way of giving practical, loving help, and can be the start of a friendship. After a time of tutoring one to one, or in a conversational English class, a Bible study discussion could be offered.
    
15. Share your joy in the Lord at times such as Christmas and Easter (or other special holidays such as Thanksgiving), as individuals and as a group, through personal invitations to your homes, special celebrations, parties, or camps.