Blog Posts for Students

Honest tips and insights into thriving as an International student

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Creating Home Away from Home: Living in an International Community
April 1, 2026

When Simon* moved from South Asia to the U.S. in the summer of 2022, he expected academic challenges. What he didn’t expect was how much living in a cross-cultural community would shape him.

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The Story Behind Halloween
The Story Behind Halloween
October 17, 2025
If you’ve spent any time in the U.S. during the fall season, particularly in October, you’ve probably noticed some unique decor and spooky themes– pumpkins, spider webs, costumes, candy, etc. Most Americans love celebrating Halloween, but where did this holiday actually come from, and what does it mean? Let’s take a look at the story Read more…
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What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to the U.S.
What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to the U.S.
July 1, 2025
Hello again! It’s your Japanese-Brazilian guest author, Jodie! 😁 What an honor it is to be back and have the chance to share some thoughts on my journey as an international student in the U.S. Many of these reflections might sound familiar, but I wanted to share how I experienced some of the more “obvious” Read more…
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Podcast Episodes

Check out our podcast The World at Home to hear real stories of International students finding community

Podcast
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The World at Home Ep. 1: A Great Return

Welcome to The World At Home, a podcast where we will explore the incredible journeys of international students who’ve come to the U.S. to study, learn, and grow. In each episode, we’ll hear first hand stories from people who have left their home countries to the United States, now navigating new academic and/or professional, cultural, and personal landscapes.In this Episode we interview Carol from Brazil on her experience visiting home after many years.

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The World at Home Ep. 2: To Say Goodbye

Episode 2 of The World at Home podcast we interview IFI Staff member and former international student from Rwanda, Viviane about her experiences with saying goodbye and grief.

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The World at Home Ep 3: Cross-Cultural Friendships

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you put two natural introverts on a podcast? For Episode 3 of The World at Home podcast we interview Sonia, a college student from Indonesia, who shares how she has learned to grow cross-cultural friendships in the US. Naturally an introvert, Sonia has had to grow her confidence to go outside of her comfort zone- to make others feel more at home, just like others did for her.

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