Bridges students in front of the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn, NY. Photo by Melissa Vacek.
For many students, college may seem intimidating. College can especially overwhelm international students who face the challenges of learning a new language, culture and customs.
According to ScienceDirect.com, 95% of international students under age 40 struggle with loneliness. Luckily, several Christian organizations are working to help international students navigate life in the United States.
Bridges International, a Christian nonprofit that centers on building strong relationships with international students, stations their branches on college campuses across the country. Their activities range from airport pickup, settling in and transportation to language help.
According to their website, 70% of international students are not making long-lasting friendships with Americans. Trae Vacek, the National Director of Bridges International, weighs in on this statistic.
“We're trying to do activities alongside other organizations similar to Bridges and the local church,” said Vacek. “We have a website called everyinternational.com that provides resources for the local church on how to befriend international students at a nearby campus.”
“That's our desire – to mobilize more believers, more Christ followers, to be kind to internationals,” Vacek said.
Bridges students at Columbia University in New York. Photo by Melissa Vacek.
Vacek had experience as an international student in college when studying abroad in China. The formative experience shaped how he now treats international students and engages with his work in Bridges.
“I had the experience myself of being an international student and feeling the challenges of being a foreigner amongst people who spoke a different language and understood their culture,” said Vacek.
His Chinese friends showed him hospitality by helping him learn Mandarin and running errands. From this, Vacek developed a servant’s heart and understanding that Americans often don’t show the same hospitality towards international students.
“I had friends who practiced Mandarin with me and helped me go to stores when I needed something,” said Vacek. “I just really felt cared for by people, the Chinese friends that I made, and it opened my eyes to the fact that in the United States, sometimes because of our busyness, we don't make time to serve internationals — people who are new to America.”
Vacek first served at Bridges as a student at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
“I began reaching out to international students when I started bridges in Houston,” Vacek said. “It was really gratifying to be able to help students find furniture stores or take them to the local grocery store. For me, I spent a lot of time with Chinese students at Rice and taking them to Houston's Chinatown.”
A hand holding a globe in front of hills and mountains. Photo by Nursery Art for Pexels
Vacek recognizes the challenges international students face coming to the US, especially coming from various backgrounds. He understands how important it is to welcome them and make them feel comfortable.
“In the Old Testament, God has a heart for the foreigner, for the stranger. And so, I think there's some loss, obviously, and different [levels] of trauma for the foreigner to come to a new place. One of the ways we try to [stretch our hearts towards foreigners] is to provide community, and through the community, we try to provide a soft landing for these students,” said Vacek.
Vacek wants people to understand that it’s not difficult reaching out to international students and that many of them are curious about American culture and want to interact with Americans. Bridges International wants study abroad programs to be a home away from home — a place where international students will feel comfortable and be able to connect and relate to others.
“We've definitely served students who have ended up serving their nation in some type of way. To me, it is a great opportunity for a Christian to set that extra table,” said Vacek.
You can learn more about Bridges International by going on their website, bridgesinternational.com.
Esther is a 2023 graduate of Malone University with a bachelor's degree in History. She utilizes her storytelling skills to advocate for societal changes regarding mainly social issues and most importantly, the impact of the Gospel.
