CAMBRIDGE, UK
WHY CAMBRIDGE?
In the Summer of 2019, I studied abroad in Cambridge, England through Biola's Torrey Honors College. I was selected as a member of a team that would go to the UK two weeks prior to the start of our studies to serve and build connections with other international students living in Cambridge.
Our team (pictured to the right along with our Saudi Arabian friend, Yusef) partnered with Friends International, a non-profit organization that seeks to create community for international students studying in Cambridge. The city draws thousands of international students yearly, many of which come to study at one of Cambridge's elite colleges or simply to learn English.
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International students face unique challenges: many are not fluent in English, they often come alone, and their stays in Cambridge are brief making it difficult to find and make friends.
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Friends International offers programming for international students to have spaces to gather to build community, practice English, and enjoy a cuppa.
Photo of service team, taken during the wedding of an FI staff member
Photo with team member and Mike & Barbara - our English homestay
WHAT DID WE DO?
Community Events
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To get the word out about Friends International, we created and ran several community events for international students including: a movie night (pictured), game night, trip to a local tea garden, and a bowling night!
Cafés
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Friends International hosts "cafés" where international students can come, make friends, learn about another's culture, and enjoy tea/coffee
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Our team planned a California-themed café, allowing us to share about American/Californian culture
Culture Sharing
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During our time in Cambridge, we met students from all over the world: Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, France, Italy, China, and more!
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In this highly diverse, cross-cultural environment, I put to practice my intercultural adjustment and communication skills