A List of Some Key Volunteer Opportunities with IFI

This isn’t a complete list, but will illustrate the magnitude of opportunities…

Airport pickup
Be the first welcoming face a newly arriving international student sees when he or she arrives in Columbus. Transport them either to campus or a temporary housing home.

English Conversation Partner
Meet with one international student for 1 hour each week simply practicing conversation, and building a friendship as well!

Temporary Housing
Welcome an international student into your home for 3-5 days when they first arrive in Columbus. This will give you a great opportunity to get to know each other, while they are looking for a permanent housing situation. There are some long term opportunities, which last anywhere from 5 days to a month.

Holiday Hosting
Invite one or more students to join your Thanksgiving and/or Christmas celebration and share your family’s joy and hospitality.

International Friendships’ Trips
Travel as a member of the leadership team on one of our trips.  Help drive, serve where needed and share your life with the students traveling with you. These trips are great for building friendships.

Garage Sales
This popular service is offered to students on two Saturdays in late August or early September.  Drive students to designated garage sales, and help them select furnishings for their apartments. We also deliver their newly purchased furniture to their new “home.”

ESL Teacher or Assistant
Assist or teach at IFI’s English as a Second Language classes on consecutive Saturdays during the school year.  Assistants do not need to be experts in ESL, but should be willing to help and should have a general knowledge of English.

International Moms Groups (IMG)
Befriend an international mom once a week at our morning group. Also help with children, Bible study, English conversation, or crafts. This is a great opportunity for these wives and moms since many of them are here on their husband’s visa and have plenty of time for these kinds of activities.