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.

Back home, life was naturally communal; the majority of his family lived nearby, friends and neighbors were always dropping in, and shared meals happened organically. 

“People would always be coming and going from our house,” Simon remembered. “It was a normal flow.”

On the other hand, American life felt more structured and task-oriented than the communal rhythms he grew up with. People had to pencil in times to meet. Daily life revolved around tasks. Even the language required adjustment. 

“I grew up learning British English, so certain words and slang were different,” Simon stated. “I also only knew American culture through Hollywood movies, so seeing the U.S. in person was definitely a shock.”

These moments were reminders of how far Simon was from home. The America he knew didn’t include culture shock or visible homelessness. It took time to reconcile expectations with reality.

Living in the IFI Cleveland “Ministry House” helped him in his journey. Owned and managed by DJ, IFI campus staff, it became a space of comfort and friendship. Picture this:

Strangers from all over the globe– different cultures, values, and habits– sharing one space. 

There were spices that others weren’t used to. 

Cleaning schedules to divide. 

Cooking responsibilities he hadn’t grown up managing. 

Direct and indirect communication styles sometimes clashed. 

Simon quickly learned that communal living requires humility. You can’t be overly individualistic. You have to listen before speaking, breathe before reacting, and be careful with your words, especially over text.

But he also discovered the beauty of it.

“DJ and the rest of the guys make my experience here better,” Simon said. “They’re more than just housemates– they’re mentors and some of my closest friends.”

Weekly cookouts with roommates and friends turned an old house into a cozy home. Stories from South Asia mixed with stories from the U.S. and beyond. Laughter softened homesickness. Even when seasons changed and roommates moved on, the bonds remained meaningful.

“Our weekly ‘family meals’ are the best,” Simon said. “We all share crazy stories from back home, share about our current lives, and just bond. It’s in these moments that I realized this is exactly where I want to be.”

Through it all, Simon realized community doesn’t just happen– you build it. 

“It all starts with conversations,” Simon said. “Even if you’re shy at the start, like I was, communication is everything. And once I did it, it made everything better!” 

Simon even encourages other international students to get out of their rooms, talk to each other, and find community. Simple questions related to people’s studies or home countries are good icebreakers. Plus, inviting them to local IFI events is another great way to begin building connections. 

“You can’t do life alone; we all need one another,” Simon stated. “God is putting the pieces together, sometimes through people you never expected!”

*Student names and photo changed to protect privacy