Summer Can Be a Lonely Time for International Students

Summer can be a lonely time for international students. Few are able to go home for the holidays, and when classes end, so do many regularly scheduled activities. Some international students have summer classes or summer jobs, but for many students, it becomes much too easy to spend hours alone in their dorm room or basement suite, feeling like everyone is enjoying the summer except them.

Many ISMC City Ministries plan special activities for students through the summer, from berry picking to pool parties to lake days, and the students love those.

But it doesn’t take a formal event. International students just love to feel included. If you have international students in your circles, why not ask them to join you for a summer activity that you’re planning?

Need some ideas? Here’s what some of our staff suggest:

Evening bike rides and short hikes, and beach days in the summer
Peter, ISMC Hamilton

Picnic at a park, or a walk ending at a coffee shop or ice cream shop
Sandi, ISMC Victoria

Knitting meet up at the park
Izumi, ISMC Vancouver

Invite students to celebrate Canada Day, and share how Canadians celebrate
Syncia, ISMC Montreal

Invite them along to a community garage sale
Michele, ISMC Kamloops

For Canadian families with busy kids: invite international students to watch the kids play their summer sport, or, if the students also have kids, invite them to a playground or ‘fun farm’
Erica, ISMC London

Invite them to a BBQ. Play a round of mini-golf. Take them for a drive in the country to share the beauty of summer in Canada
Cathy, ISMC Brantford

I love all these ideas. They’re simple and inexpensive and very do-able. For me, each summer I try to take some students along to join the free concerts at our local JazzFest. It’s something I enjoy, and the students seem to, too.

Perhaps Stuart from ISMC London sums it up best: “My suggestion would be, invite students to join you in whatever you are already doing.”

He speaks from experience. Years ago, he shares, one of his students asked to spend more time with a local volunteer who was quite busy. So the volunteer offered to pick the student up and include him in what he already had on his schedule that Saturday – which happened to be cleaning out horse stalls. Volunteer and student worked side-by-side forking horse manure while visiting. It was a brand new experience for the student, and he loved it and wanted to do it again!

“The key,” says Stuart, “is sharing an experience together.” Even if that experience involves horse manure.

So, this summer, as you go about your activities, we invite you to consider including international students as you are able. It’s one more way to welcome students in Jesus’ name.

If you’re new to spending time with international students, here’s a great 3-minute video about Building Friendships Across Cultures that can help you get started. If you’d like some guidance, feel free to reach out to your local ISMC city ministry.

Thank you for your heart for international students in Canada!

The first time Rasesh came to an ISMC event, it was his birthday, and he didn’t have any plans. The Instagram post he saw invited international students to enjoy dinner, discussion and games, and Rasesh wanted to do something to enjoy his special day.

Nobody knew it was my birthday, but going there and getting along with everyone made my day more special. It’s like I got a gift on my birthday.

This holiday season, will you give a gift for international students who are looking for a place to belong? Your donation will be doubled until December 31st. And you will be welcoming students like Rasesh in Jesus’ name.

Rasesh had heard about his campus’ ISMC student club early on when he arrived in Canada. But health issues kept him from attending right away. “I’ve regretted that decision ever since,” he says. After coming to that first dinner, he’s hardly missed a day, even giving up shifts on his delivery job to keep his Friday evenings free.

And really, it isn’t the free food or the games that keeps him coming time after time. It’s the Bible discussions:

The Bible is read by relating it to our day-to-day life topics, and what message the Bible has for us related to those topics. That’s the reason I keep coming back.

We’ve found this time and time again. When students are invited to talk about deep issues of life and faith, they build deep connections with each other and with ISMC staff and volunteers. So many international students—of various religious backgrounds—are open to exploring the Bible while they’re students here. And can you imagine how fascinating it is to discuss the Christmas story—or the resurrection—with a table full of students from all over the world?

Friend, this Christmas will you ensure that student clubs like the one Rasesh attends can keep introducing students to Jesus? Specific activities and events vary from city to city and campus to campus. But what doesn’t change is that international students are finding love and connection as we love them unconditionally.

And right now, your generosity can reach twice as many students, because the first $2000 in donations to ISMC’s National Ministry Fund will be matched dollar for dollar until the end of the year!

So please, go to ismc.ca/donate right now to give online. We’ll make sure your donation is used to welcome students like Rasesh in Jesus’ name.

Thank you for your heart for international students in Canada!

Merry Christmas,

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

P.S. Rasesh says, “Without love there is no hope and ISMC is all about that love.” Will you help us share the love of God with international students across Canada? Until December 31st, your donation will be matched!

Your support makes a genuine difference. Whether it’s time, resources, or donations that you’re giving, your contribution helps create positive experiences for international students who are far from home. I’ve personally experienced how ISMC builds community, belonging, and sharing, and I know that many other people have too. I hope you see your support as an investment in international students, in kindness and growth. I’m thankful for all the different ways that ISMC has made my journey in Canada – from international student to graduate – happier, easier, and more meaningful. It’s been a gift I’ll always remember. Thank you.

– Naya (Mauritius)

This Thanksgiving, I’m thrilled to share with you thank yous from international students from campuses across Canada, and to let you know that your generosity is overflowing into thankfulness to God:

We are truly thankful for all you do for us. Thank you to those who contribute – your impact is noticed.

– Thelma (Zimbabwe)

I am so grateful to God for all the support we have received as international students from ISMC.

– Karen (Ecuador)

ISMC has a special place in my heart, and even for other international students. Thank you so much, ISMC, for showing us a right path.

– Pujan (India)

I am grateful for the opportunity to study the Bible, have new friends, learn a new culture, share meals and experiences, and look at life in a different perspective.

– Liz (Uganda)

I’m thankful for the people who organize ISMC events. They make time to welcome international students despite their own busy schedules. Knowing that people care and do this of their own accord makes it meaningful to me.

– Sophia (India)

Being part of ISMC turned out to be such an unexpectedly inspiring experience in my faith journey. It helped me see what a difference I can make with God’s guidance and calling, and discover gifts and potential that I never knew God had given me.

– Charlie (China)

I realized that so many people in the world are praying for us, and I wish to convey my gratitude to you all. I am living in your answered prayers.

– Lily (India)

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your heart for international students. Thank you for reaching the nations on your doorstep, and thank you for empowering international students to impact their world through Jesus Christ.

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

Have you ever gone somewhere where everything is different and you know absolutely no one?

This is what international students face when they first come to Canada.

Shaleen from Nepal shares: “In the beginning of my journey as an international student, one of the biggest challenges I faced was loneliness. Moving to a new country meant leaving behind my family, friends, and everything familiar to me. I didn’t know anyone and I often felt out of place. Even simple things like attending classes, eating meals, or walking around campus felt overwhelming without people I was close to. On top of that, adapting to the culture and way of life made me feel even more isolated.”

Right now, this loneliness and isolation is being played out in the lives of international students on campuses across the country. 

But Psalm 68:6 tells us that “God places the lonely in families.” And Shaleen continues her story: “I was welcomed into such a warm and supportive community where I met so many lovely people who helped me fight that loneliness. Being part of ISMC gave me not only friendships, but also a sense of family, belonging, and even love that I never expected to find so far from home. I can confidently say that ISMC has become my second family here.”

When you give to ISMC or your local city ministry, when you volunteer, and when you pray for international students in Canada, you become part of rewriting stories of loneliness into stories of connection:

The volunteers at Focus Club were very welcoming. They treated us like their own family.

– Rasesh (India)

The ISMC team were the first faces my husband and I saw when we arrived in Canada. They welcomed us as they picked us up from the airport. They also welcomed us into many events to immerse us in Canadian culture. In fact, all of my strongest friendships were born through some connection that occurred during an ISMC activity.

– Karen (Ecuador)

They helped me survive the first couple months with winter clothing and furniture. But most importantly, they took me to church and introduced me to Bible Discovery, Bible Study, and Christian retreats. That’s where I made friends, fellow seekers of the truth like me. I realized I wasn’t alone in unlearning so many things from my past to make room for the truth.

– Lily (India)

They made me feel at home, because besides providing English classes at no cost, they opened the doors of their houses, presented their culture and traditions to us, and lessened our homesickness.

– Malane (Brazil)

The specific activities and events vary from city to city and campus to campus. But what doesn’t change is that students are finding love and connection as they’re being welcomed in Jesus’ name.

Thank you for being part of building community for international students in Canada. Thank you for being part of rewriting stories of loneliness.

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

P.S. September is a great time to make a special gift to International Student Ministries. Your donation will be used to build community for international students on campuses across Canada.

Can you believe that September is right around the corner? For many of us, September brings a return to comfortable routines. But for incoming international students, that isn’t always the case.

Right now, students from around the world are making their way to Canadian campuses.

Can you imagine? Leaving your home and family—maybe for the first time. Dealing with customs and immigration—possibly in a second language. Arriving in a city you’ve only seen online and hoping that the arrangements you made for accommodation and transportation are actually okay. Lots of excitement, but also trepidation. Did I make the right choice? Will I find friends? Will I find my way? Will I be able to handle the coursework? Will I like it here?

At Toronto International Airport, some University of Guelph students are met by the friendly faces of ISMC volunteers.

Guelph is an hour away, and even an Uber is so expensive. So volunteer drivers help them get to their destination. This year, extra flexibility has been required as students faced flight cancellations and rebookings—meaning ever-changing pickup times. But students love the airport pick up program, and are always asking “Why are you doing this?” What a great way to help a new student feel welcomed, and what a great opportunity to invite them to other International Student Ministries events.

ISMC Kamloops welcomes international students at their university’s Welcome Back BBQ during the first week of school.

Volunteers and returning students host an ISMC booth with a huge world map. They invite passing students to label where they are from. Students are excited to find others from their home country, and, by the end of the day, the map is a colourful representation of the very international student body—who have all been invited to get to know other each other at the next ISMC event.

ISMC Edmonton helps international students with moving assistance year-round, but as you can imagine, the beginning of a new school year is extra-busy.

Students are so grateful for the practical help moving into a new place—and also for the prayer of blessing that volunteers offer, praying that this would feel like home even though the students are far from family and friends.

International Student Ministries can’t solve all the challenges that international students face coming to study in a new country. But we CAN welcome them, provide assistance, invite them into community, and love them as Jesus loves. Often, that’s enough to ease the transition and to form relationships that last long beyond those nerve-wracking first days.

During this back-to-school season, can we ask you to add praying for international students to your routines?

You can join us live for a short daily prayer time on Zoom until September 26th. Come when you can; we’ll meet for about half an hour at 9 am PT / 12 pm ET each day (including weekends) to lift up international students at campuses across the country.

You can sign up for weekly texted prayer requests. Each Wednesday, you’ll be invited to pray for a specific need affecting international students—a simple way to minister to international students in Canada.

Thank you for your heart for international students. We’re excited to see what God has planned for this new school year!

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

Friend, I hope you’ve been having a great summer so far! Any fun activities planned?

Many ISMC City Ministries plan recreational activities and events for students throughout the summer. From strawberry picking to sailing, and of course, lots of hikes, pool parties, lake days and BBQs.

These aren’t Bible studies; there are no sermons. So, are these events just a chance to introduce international students to typical Canadian seasonal activities? Or is there more to it than that?

Peter and Diana, from the ISMC Hamilton City Ministry, took a dozen students strawberry picking at a local farm. Peter explains: “We had great conversations on the way home when one of the students asked why we spend time with international students. I was able to share Jesus’ love for strangers and foreigners with them.”

Mary, from ISMC London City Ministry, had opportunity to tell several students how she prayed about a severe thunderstorm warning that coincided with their planned wiener roast. The storm passed by, the few sprinkles gave way to sunshine, and the students enjoyed hotdogs and heard how God answers prayer.

Skye and Randy, from ISMC Vancouver City Ministry, hosted a summer sunset watch party on their deck. The students’ observations of “this is so beautiful” and “look at the colours” led into a deep discussion about design. As the group talked about the improbability of it all “just happening,” Randy was able to lead the students to consider that there is a Designer who is still involved in His creation.

Hilda, from ISMC Niagara City Ministry, relaxed with students at a summer pool party. She notes: “For me, the biggest God-moments were to have students share how much the ministry means to them. Sometimes what we think is small means so much and gives students a picture of God.”

Ryanna, another Niagara staff member, summed it up so well: “Hospitality, when offered with love, becomes holy. It’s in these spaces—around a pool, by a fire pit, over grilled hotdogs—that students experience belonging, rest, and the kindness of God.”

Want to be involved in helping international students experience belonging, rest, and the kindness of God this summer? Here are a few ways you can do that:

1. PRAY for all the ISMC activities that are happening across the country. Pray that students will see God’s love through these events and that they will want to know more.

2. INVITE international students along to join you in your summer activities or VOLUNTEER at your local City Ministry events. Offer holy hospitality through fun and friendship.

3. GIVE to International Student Ministries Canada to keep making moments like this possible

Thank you for your heart for international students. Thank you for creating ministry opportunities and for changing lives this summer.

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

Did you know that International Student Ministries Canada currently has 66 staff members serving international students on campuses across Canada – and that number is growing!

Here’s a few of the new faces that have joined the team since the beginning of the year. Some work with international students directly, while others serve ISMC staff and volunteers as they in turn reach out to students. Many are involved in some combination of the two. All are having an eternal impact:

Peter & Diana Scholtens have taken on the role of City Directors in Hamilton, Ontario. Their heart for international students is so evident, and they’ve been a great encouragement to the Hamilton team.

Stella Jeon is an international student herself, and she’s using her skills in online content design to help reach out to other international students.

Katie Peterson Katie Peterson has taken on roles in grant-writing and fundraising to help us find the resources to achieve the big dreams we have as our ministry grows.

Eliana Navarro Eliana Navarro is currently raising support in Colombia, but she’ll be joining our ministry team in Sherbrooke, Quebec, bringing lots of experience in cross-cultural ministry.

So many of you already support the ministry of an ISMC staff member. Thank you! You are helping introduce students to the hope, truth and love of Jesus Christ. Your gifts are planting seeds that are bearing fruit across the nations!

If you’re looking for your local staff member to support—or if you want to encourage one of these new staff members—you can make a gift (or set up a monthly donation) at ismc.ca/give

What about you? Have you ever considered joining staff at International Student Ministries Canada? That can look like a full-time position, or it can be tailored to fit your availability and stage of life.

ISMC recognizes that many people feel called while working in another profession, raising a family, or studying. ISMC values calling and character over full-time availability and we’re committed to being flexible and supportive of bi-vocational staff.

If you have a heart for international students and a willingness to serve, we’d love to talk with you. Reach out to a local staff member or contact hr@ismc.ca to begin the conversation. Let’s see what God has in store!

I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for each of you. Your faithful service, your heart for international students, and your commitment to the gospel are making a lasting impact—not only in Canada, but around the world.

May God Bless You,

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

“Different country. Different people. Scared to talk because of my accent and scared I’d say something wrong. How were people going to see me?”

Friend, when Thelma talks about adjusting to life in Canada, you can just feel the pain in her struggle. She arrived in Kelowna, British Columbia in the summer semester knowing no one. While English is one of the official languages of Zimbabwe, the pronunciation is quite different, and she found people couldn’t easily understand her. The time change made it difficult to talk to family back home, and she hadn’t made any friends here yet. She quickly found herself sliding into depression.

“I used to pray for friendships and connections every day,” she says.

One of the connections that God sent her way was Edla, another Zimbabwean student at Okanagan College. Edla was a student leader with ISMC Kelowna’s campus club. Thelma noticed how Edla loved the Lord openly, and accepted his invitation to check out some ISMC events.

“The first event that I actually remember was a Bible study,” shares Thelma. “I had never been invited to somebody’s home, because in my culture we never used to visit people’s places. So when I moved here and was invited in, it was a heart-touching moment.”

Thelma recalls the welcoming environment, and a space to openly talk about Jesus without being judged: “I felt like this was the right place to be at.”

You see, Thelma knew of God, but more as a holy vending machine, tied up with traditions and superstitions. “I wanted to take and take,” she admits, “but I didn’t want to live the Jesus life.”

But as Thelma saw people around her living out a personal faith, she started to realize that she wanted to know with certainty that God loved her too. And she realized that she had to fully surrender.

“We noticed that Thelma gained confidence in her interactions with the new friends she was making through our ISMC gatherings, says Kelowna City Director Rick Wilgosh. “We noticed a definite uptick in her spirit. While she’s able to mask her inner worries very well, she is now addressing those issues as they come up through prayer and seeking advice.”

Thelma explains: “It took a lot of Bible studies, it took a lot of going to church, it took a lot of praying, to the point that I realized that God sees me and I am His child. That’s when I knew this was real and I had to let Jesus in. That was the turnaround for me.”

Thelma is thankful for those who mentored her and led her to Jesus.

Today, Thelma reminds people that they’re not alone when they’re struggling with loneliness or mental health issues. “The first thing you need is Jesus. Then you need to be open and not afraid to be vulnerable. Seeking help and being open is important—it takes courage. You may find you need to open up to a counsellor or someone in the church. You take that step of faith. For me, part of opening up meant going to therapy. You need to have confidence that Jesus is there. And community. It takes community to help overcome loneliness.”

Thelma asks us to pass on her thanks to all of you, who have invested in building community for international students like her. “Thank you for those who contribute,” she says, “your impact is noticed and it makes a difference in the world.”

Let me echo that. Whether you give, pray, connect directly with international students, or all three—you are providing community for lonely international students, you are drawing students to the love of Jesus, and you’re preparing them to reach out themselves to those around them. Isn’t that a great cycle to be part of?

May God Bless You,

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

When you ask international students why they’ve come to Canada to study, you’ll get a variety of answers: 

• To improve my English
• To get my PR and stay in Canada
• To have an adventure
• To graduate with a Canadian degree

Some might even come to discover how a “Christian” nation does things differently. But few come with the express intention of getting to know a God who loves them.

Students may come for a degree – but sometimes they leave with so much more.

They leave with a Canadian degree

For most international students, coming to Canada involves a huge paradigm shift. And that offers opportunities to explore life and faith in a different context. When international students meet genuine Christians who care about them, stereotypes and assumptions melt away.  Relationships are formed. And students actually want to know the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).

Genuine friendship

It’s so exciting when students come to faith. If you’re on our email list, you’ll have celebrated with us as a student from Iran and a student from China recently chose to follow Jesus. (If you’re not on the email list, sign up today so that you don’t miss any future stories). 

But there are so many small perspective changes along the way that lead up to these significant decisions.

It might look like a student who’s been distrustful of all things Christian finding some Christian friends. It may look like a student who was disinterested becoming curious and seeking out opportunities to learn more about this faith that makes people live differently.

Curiosity about what the Bible says

Sometimes it looks like lots of deep discussions and lots of questions, and, every once in a while, it looks like a clear decision.

Please pray for international students, wherever they are on their faith journey. Pray that they will be open to learning about this God who loves them so much. And consider a gift to ISMC or to your City Ministry to equip students, staff and volunteers to walk alongside international students as they learn and grow.

With Blessings,

Cam Janzen
President

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I love to play music – I started playing the guitar before I was 10. Even today, I enjoy sharing this passion, pulling out the guitar at home or playing with friends at my local church.

I’ve learned, over the years, that one of the best ways to connect with international students is to simply invite them along to something you’re already doing. Whether that’s playing music, attending a concert, hiking in the Rockies, visiting a Sugar Shack in Quebec, cheering on the local hockey team, looking for treasures at the local thrift store or hosting a games night in your basement, so many students are absolutely thrilled to be invited into the lives of Canadian friends.

And better yet, this is ministry. Not a project, but a friendship. As students hang out with you, they learn to trust you. They become curious about how you see and experience the world. They may even become curious about the faith that means so much in your life.

This was the case with an Iranian student in Guelph. 

A couple of years ago, a Canadian family hosted a few students for a Thanksgiving dinner. They connected well, and the family “adopted” him and his friends, inviting them regularly for food and fun. They celebrated his birthday with cake and candles, attended a musical performance together, and they even took him camping one weekend in their trailer. 

Touched by their kindness, he became curious. So he joined an Alpha group on campus to learn more about Christianity. Over the course of a year, he participated in a Chosen watch-party and discussion group, weekly dinners at a local church, and then another Alpha group. He spent last summer exploring faith and the person of Jesus, while also enjoying friendship and fun social activities. Last month at Alpha, he once again heard the reason for the cross, and this time, he said, it just clicked. He decided to become a Jesus-follower. 

It all started with an invitation for a simple meal. It was nurtured through friendship and doing life together. And it impacted eternity.

So, can I challenge you to invite an international student along to something that you’re already doing? Who knows where it might lead?

With Blessings,

Cam Janzen
ISMC President & CEO

P.S.  If you need some help getting connected up, you can check out Friends for Dinner; they’re looking for families in various cities across Canada to host international students for Easter Dinner next month. 

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