IFI at Illinois Central – International Friendships, Inc (IFI) at Illinois Central College

GET CONNECTED

Here are a few popular ways to interact with us.

AIRPORT PICKUP & TEMPORARY HOUSING

Landing in Peoria soon? Sign up today to have a local volunteer pick you up from the airport (temporary housing also available). We look forward to meeting you!

ENGLISH CONVERSATION PARTNERS

Improve your English with the help of a native English speaker. We have American volunteers who are willing to meet with you for an average of one hour per week.

FRIENDSHIP PARTNERS

Meet monthly & become friends with an English-speaking partner. Participate in fun activities together, such as sharing a meal, touring the city, shopping, celebrating the holidays, and much more! This service is free.

Life Group

Life group eats together, hangs out, helps each other, studies the Bible, prays together, plays games, and talks about life issues.

International Friendships (IFI)

International students often struggle with culture shock, stress, and loneliness when leaving their homes to study in the US. International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) is a national organization partnering with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students. We work strategically to make the world feel at home and extend God’s love globally — right where we are.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

We put on big and small events throughout the year. Come make an American friend!

Hiking and Lunch
- Sat, Oct 9, 2021
Bonfire at Vercler Farm (Dinner Included)
- Sat, Oct 23, 2021
"Share Your Culture" Dinner at Twin Towers
- Sat, Oct 30, 2021

See all upcoming events

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

International Friendships helped me a lot during my first year in America. Jim and Paula were always there to offer me a helping hand when I needed. When I was feeling Homesick they offered me their friendship and I started feeling like home again. The Supermarket rides, the Supper, the rides around the town were all important to make me feel safe, somehow, but In my opinion, the most important aspect about International Friendships is the fact that they made me feel welcomed. They offered me an incredible sense of home. I really feel like I have friends who I can trust and count on.

Vinicius

Brazil

International Friendship had been a huge help to me. For the last two years that I’ve been at ICC, IfI provided a lot of fun events that helped me get more engaged and I was able to run away from my boring life. They connected me with a conversation partner who has been a huge help to me till now. IfI made my two years at ICC the most enjoyable years, I was able to go to Tennessee for the first time in my life thanks to Paula and Jim and the other team members who organized that trip. It was the best trip ever and I had a lot of fun. The events that IfI has been hosting such as bowling, ice skating, hiking, game nights, and etc has been very helpful to me. I am very grateful for Jim and Paula and all the IfI team members for all that they do and all the help that they provide to us as international students. Thank you for making my three years at ICC the most amazing years with the best enjoyable memories that I will forever keep in my heart.

Neema

Wow where do I start, the love and help the international friendship has rendered to me in my one year at ICC has been amazing so far. When I first got to Peoria, Randy and Evie Mogler were the couple that came to pick me up from the airport, they took me to their home and made me feel comfortable, we talked and laughed all through, this made me feel at ease. Then they took me to school the next day where I met Jim Hanes who has been of great help to me at ICC from the grocery rides, to the rides around town and many more. International Friendship Inc is just home away from home.

Graham

Nigeria

Make Real Friendships with Local Americans