"International students are among the brightest and most influential of virtually every country on earth. Most come to the U.S. to obtain the training that will equip them to be effective leaders when they return home. While in the U.S., they are free from many spiritual and cultural strongholds , . . many of these students are curious about Americans and about Christianity. Many are lonely, and would like to have an American friend. Unfortunately, 70% will never enter an American home, and even more will never visit a church.

"It's time to change that...and it's simple. All it takes is the involvement of friends like you . . . you can make a significant difference in the lives of these future leaders, and as thy return home, in the lives of people around the world."  - Dr. Tom Phillips, President, International Students, Inc.

International Students, Inc.

You can befriend an international student.  You may be the first follower of Jesus this person has ever met. His or her experience with you may change their view of America, Christians, and Jesus himself.  You receive cultural experiences which enrich your life.

Choose from several ways to get involved:

Be an International Friend:  Share a meal once a month with these future world leaders studying at the University of Arizona.  Contact Scott at 878-1146 to learn more.

Host a high schooler for a semester or school year. Contact Tiffany Helfrich 742-3000 or click on www.ayusa.org.

Pick a student up at the Airport: Meet an incoming U of A student at the airport, make sure he/she has had a meal, and drive them either to temporary housing or to the U of A housing.  Contact Jon Heine  (321-4343).  Look at the welcome information we send to students while they are still overseas preparing to come to Tucson.   

Provide Temporary Housing: Open your home for a U of A student to stay for 1-4 days. You can help them look for an apartment, but this isn't required. Your student has to be able to get to campus daily either by bus (click here for SunTran bus schedule) or by you driving them. Some students need to stay longer (2 weeks - 1 month) until their campus housing is available.  We will train you.  Contact Jon Heine  (321-4343)

Get Paid for Semester Housing:  A U of A student will pay you a monthly fee to live in your home and eat some meals with you.  Many students have cars, and several host homes in Northwest Tucson are needed.  We will train you.  Contact John Shepherd ((800) 526-9803).

More Fun Stuff:  If you can spend more time, you can take the student shopping (for household supplies and bicycles), to campus offices, and/or to their housing.  If you decide to help a student look for an apartment, click here for an easy resource to help students find apartments in the U of A area, then click "college" and type in University of Arizona and type in Tucson and Arizona. For a second apartment finder, click here.

What can I say / what should I say to international students about God?

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