Moving to a different country is a hard process for most people but is especially difficult for college students leaving their family and acquiring independence for the first time. As one of the largest universities in the South, Columbia hosts many international students and faculty visiting for several months or several years. Making sure that the international members of the USC community integrate well and without trouble is not only ethically right, it is also crucial to fostering a smooth and friendly coexistence between Americans and non-Americans. Founded in 1965, the Columbia Council for Internationals (CCFI) is a nonprofit organization which helps international students and faculty transition to life in Columbia.
Robin Dean, a volunteer and hospitality programs coordinator at CCFI, explains that the aim of the organization is to “have interaction and goodwill between visiting students and faculty and family members ... with the people in Columbia.”
According to Dean, CCFI was founded at the request of the university by a group of local citizens. The organization actively organizes events on a weekly basis, both on campus and around the city.
All events aim to foster interaction between locals and internationals, providing a space for them to get to know one another.
For example, CCFI organizes a free lunch at Maxcy Residence Hall every Friday at 12:30 p.m., during which international students and American students have the chance to gather and socialize while eating a healthy meal.
The organization also provides welcoming services to international students.
"One of the things we do every fall ... in August when the students arrive, we offer a pick-up at the airport," Dean said.
Many international students fly a long way to get to Columbia and carry heavy luggage. Having someone to pick you up at the airport is useful and highly appreciated in those circumstances.
The Columbia Council for Internationals has been growing and evolving since its foundation, but the goals and the principles on which it was founded have not changed. As of today, CCFI has around 100 members, all of whom are volunteers passionate about the organization and its mission.
Many of them are American USC students, like William Welsh, a fourth-year biochemistry and molecular biology student, who started volunteering for CCFI when he was a freshman. Anyone can become a member and volunteer in the activities of the organization.
“I got sent one of their emails about Friday lunch," Welsh said. "I started coming to those because I was interested in studying abroad and meeting international students."
Welsh became active in the organization by attending the meetings and eventually started showing up early to set up.
“I remember my first job was drawing information on the boards and adding artistic effects to it," Welsh said.
CCFI has opportunities for both American and international students. Make sure you keep an eye on the events that CCFI organizes in order to meet new people, get to know about different cultures and have fun.
Application forms can be filled online at www.columbiacfi.org.