Global Connections – Global connections at the University of Florida

GET CONNECTED

Here are a few popular ways to interact with us.

AIRPORT PICKUP & TEMPORARY HOUSING

Landing in Gainesville soon? Sign up today to have a local volunteer pick you up from the airport (temporary housing also available). We look forward to meeting you!

Family Groups

Build meaningful friendships by meeting regularly with a small group of other international students and American volunteers to enjoy a home cooked meal, learn more about the Bible, and have fun playing games.

Friendship Partners

Improve your English with the help of a native English speaker. We have American volunteers who are willing to meet with you for an average of one hour per week.

International students often struggle with culture shock, stress, and loneliness when leaving their homes to study in the US. Global Connections partners with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students. We work strategically to make the world feel at home and extend God’s love globally — right where we are.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

We put on big and small events throughout the year. Come make an American friend!

See all upcoming events

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

When I came to a unfamiliar country to go start my life in a totally different culture, my hosts, John and Cyndi, helped me to make the first step and made me feel like home. Airport pick-up and temporary housing are definitely helpful to me, but they gave me more than that, which let me have a strong faith in my future student life in America. They are really nice people!

Guanlong

Jennifer picked me up at the airport, and when I moved in to my new apartment, she helped me to move the mattress by a van. It helped me a lot. And now we are actually good friends since we can meet in Bible Discussion and English Conversation Club. Thanks! Your work in helping the new international students is very impressive and kind. Thanks!

Sunita

Thank you for giving us the chance to enjoy the holiday with an American family. Jay picked us up and took us to his house. We had some delicious food and had a chat with each other. We will participate in this event again. We felt very good because we celebrated the holiday with a family who gave us a lot of love. It was really a great experience. Thank you!

Yaji