International student welcome

Jesus came to give life to people from all nations. Jesus and his first followers were known for spending time with people from outside the comfort zone of their traditional local culture. This means, Jesus came to give life to international students too. As a CU we have the chance to welcome them and share the life Jesus offers!

How beautiful would it be for us to be crossing cultures in new friendships this year: sharing meals, taking walks, connecting online, playing games, remembering names correctly, reading Uncover, helping practically and speaking of Jesus the saviour of the world?

Get your CU together in the weeks before term starts because this is when international students will be arriving. Here are some top tips for welcoming international students:

1. Find out what your SU is doing and get involved.
2. Share snacks and meals.
3. Offer local tours.
4. Have some online options.
5. Be clear on details and safety guidance.

Remember, the big aim of all we are doing is to build relationships that outlast the first few weeks of term. Don’t see welcoming internationals as just a one moment encounter to make their experience “that little bit nicer”, but as means to establish solid connections which lead to Jesus.

Here are some ideas of what you could continue running through the Autumn term, which can be adapted to being online or in person:

• International buddy scheme where an older CU member is paired up with an international student to talk on a semi-regular basis and help them make the transition to university in the UK.
• Language squares where two British students meet with two international students to help them practise their English and ask about novel experiences they’ve faced.
• An internationals-friendly evangelistic bible study where the pace is slightly slower and there’s a higher emphasis on being a group of friends together.

Make sure to specifically invite international students to what the CU has planned, so that they know that regular meetings and Impact Groups are for them too. And work hard to make CU meetings international-friendly.