In 2022, Lily* came to a university in the Midwest as an exchange student. She was excited about the opportunity but also nervous; she had never been so far from home, and she didn’t know what to expect. The first months were filled with culture shock, academic stress, and the ache of being away from family.
That’s when Lily encountered IFI.
“The program completely changed my life,” Lily said. “When I was away from home, they made me feel at home.”
Through IFI, Lily was connected with a local host family. They didn’t just invite her into their house, but welcomed her into their hearts.
“I was welcomed into the family with love and kindness,” Lily recalled. “They helped me walk through tough times with joy and encouragement.”
Her host family supported her in practical ways, offering help with her studies, explaining American culture, and guiding her through challenges that would have been overwhelming on her own. But what mattered most went deeper.
Through their love and care, Lily encountered something eternal – Jesus Christ.
Before that, she describes her life as if she were “a lost person, drifting through the ocean.” She didn’t know the purpose of her life. Each day felt uncertain, and she carried that heaviness quietly.
“It was tough,” Lily admitted. “But at the end of the day, I was found and saved through Jesus.”
Her host family’s witness and IFI’s community showed her what it meant to live with hope and peace.
“I couldn’t realize how much I was blessed to know them,” Lily said.
Today, she carries a message for others. To international students, she encourages:
“You are not alone. You have family who will love you like their own. Open your eyes to see the love all around you.”
And to American families, she offers a heartfelt reminder:
“You never know how much international students need your support. Your decisions make huge impacts.”
Lily’s story is one of welcome, love, and eternal transformation. What began as a lonely semester abroad became the moment she discovered her true purpose and identity in Christ. And once she returned home, she made a public commitment to her faith, getting baptized to show her community that the one true God of love changed everything.
*Student name and photo changed to protect privacy
