TESTIMONIALS
Providing value to international students around the United States
My name is Isaac Adeloye. In all ways, I was doing very badly in my studies when I started my PhD but with prayers and advice from ISC leaders my grade shot-up from 60% to 99%. Also, I couldn't teach effectively as a TA when I came into the United States. My students left class while I was teaching them but with prayers and advice from the ISC Leader, I became one of the best Teaching Assistant. My heavens opened and good things started happening to me. I got a lot of blessings: -a good car, got another lab after I was sent away by one. My wife and kids received visa to join me in the United States, All glory to Jesus.
ISAAC ADELOYE, University of Cleveland
ISC has helped me in advancing my spiritual life and career, through ISC have had a clear picture of what the future holds.
Emmanuel Osei
ISC has been a unique opportunity to fellowship with like minds from different backgrounds. Thank you for equipping me with nuggets for a successful sojourn in the US.
Semimo Adeleke, University of Chicago
ISC is one of the special gifts I got from God upon my arrival in the USA. The platform has rendered many benefits to me not limited to spiritual uplifting, vital information needed for life fulfillment and networking with great minds. In short, the love of God is all that defines ISC.
Esther Adu, University of New Hampshire
ISC has imparted my prayer life.
Jeremiah Isu, University of Oklahoma
Thank God for the privilege of being a member of the ISC family. The informative sessions that span through all areas of the life of an international student helped me understand that voicing out any academic struggle at the early part of the semester is crucial. A course was suggested by my advisor but because it was on programming, I realized commitment to it will affect other courses and I wouldn't want it to mar my CGPA. I voiced out my challenge and I was advised to swap the course for a reading course with my advisor. Even though the registration period has closed, I was guided on how to do that and God gave me a 95A at the end. Praise God, and thank God for ISC.
Akanbi, Taiwo Mercy, Case Western Reserve University
ISC MEMBERS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE UNITED STATES
MY VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE AT THE ACACIA RESERVATION, CLEVELAND METROPARKS, LYNDHURST, OHIO
As a dexterous environmental microbiologist, I have always believed in conserving green life and turning waste to wealth in the face of environmental pollution. In my quest to contribute to the environmental health of my environment, I volunteered as a research and data analyst with a research group. The work involves planting trees at the Acacia Reservation in Cleveland Metroparks, Lyndhurst, North-West Ohio and has spanned for a period of 5 years.
During my time out in the field, I worked with a team of others to take and record the tree measurements like the diameter at 10cm from the ground, height, and diameter-at-breast height of a total of 405 trees. Generally, I was thrilled about the duration of the research (5years and still progressing). Being an enthusiast of afforestation as a tool to mitigate global warming and climate change effects, I ensured I fully participated in this green life conservation focus in the United States. Hence, it was enthralling to be part of such work that helps to promote the plantation of more trees in the community. I was able to garner new skills on tree size measurement as it was my first time doing this. It was exciting for me to learn how to use the telescoping pole as well. I am always passionate about the science of the environment and this ongoing research study has fueled my passion more. I look forward to conducting such informative and environmentally impacting research in the future for a better environment.
Ray Kroc has stated that, ‘When you're green, you’re growing. When you're ripe, you rot’. Everyone has a part in the sustainable environment. Plant a tree, and save a life.
Faloni, Taiwo Mercy
PhD. Biology,
Case Western Reserve University
Impacting the Campus Community
The campus community is a complex society with people from different backgrounds, ideologies, cultures, exposure, philosophies, intellectual capacities. The structure of this community makes it a bit difficult to penetrate and impact the people. Hence, a one-cap-fits-all approach is unsuitable in impacting the community. There must be a definite and well-targeted strategy for different people and groups, at different times. This follows the strategy of Paul the apostles: “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might, by all means, save some” (2 Corinthians 9:22 KJV).
As an international student, coming into the campus community has double challenges; (1) adjustment and acclimatization, (2) the existing complexity of the community. One of the ways I was able to tackle these two challenges to be a source of impact and influence on my campus was by joining a faith-based organization (Graduate Christian Fellowship). This organization gave me the platform for quick adjustment and to impact the community. We have had outreach programs targeted at different groups on campus including professors, students, international students, and non-academic staff. The most recent – Thanksgiving and last week in the Fall semester – we had personalized gift packs and customized greeting cards for both professors and students, thereby establishing connections with the community. We also had a sanitation week where we cleared fallen leaves in specific places on campus. As a way of connection and impact, I help some senior citizens (campus retirees) in the neighborhood shovel snow off their vehicles during winter. This is no doubt in the spirit of “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men…” (Galatians 6:10 KJV).
Another significant platform that helps in my impact on my campus community is the International Student for Christ (ISC); an interdenominational forum for international students in the US. Through the platform, I have been able to meet other international students in the US. We have had people share their experiences and ideas on navigating the campus community successfully. Also, the forum inspires us to greater achievements and challenges us to be instruments of hope and peace while striving to make a significant impact in our campus communities and touch lives “…for we are made a spectacle unto the world…” (1 Corinthians 4:9 KJV).
Justine T. NWANAKWERE
Doctoral Candidate
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics
University of New Hampshire, USA.
MY EXPERIENCE AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE UNITED STATES
On this fateful day when I received my first offer on a fully-funded scholarship to study in the United States, it was a dream come through for me with so much excitement and looking forward to what my new environment has to offer. I arrived in the United States in August 2021; a friend I met on social media was the first person who invited me to his church. I asked him how strong Christianity is in the US out of curiosity. He smiled and replied calmly, I am glad you asked; there is a platform for every belief in the United States, making it a perfect place for anyone to practice their religion. I attended my first service via zoom; on the following Sunday, I woke up so early to prepare to meet up with church service; on my way to church, the thoughts of how people in the working system still serve God was amazing to me. We arrived at the church just on time; I attended the main service, which I enjoyed every bit of it. It's been five months in the United States; I became thirsty for a community of like minds where I can grow spiritually; a friend shared a flier of an Immigration webinar I attended and met Mummy Onuoha. This was a turnaround as I got added to the International Students for Christ group; my spiritual life has been boosted with the Sunday service ever since. Having looked back at my fears when I first arrived in the United States, I am glad I now have a stronger Christian community, and my spiritual life is growing.
Babatunde Onase
Master’s Civil Engineering
University of Delaware
How to be a channel of blessing?
To be a channel of blessing simply means to be an expression or communication through which God’s purpose on earth can be fulfilled. God has called his children out of darkness and its sinfulness to be a beacon of light, and most importantly a channel of blessing to a hopeless world (I Pet. 2:9).
It is a fact that the blind cannot lead the blind, less both fall into a ditch (Matt. 15:14). Therefore, the first step to being a channel of blessing is by coming to Christ for absolute cleansing from sin, self and flesh (I John 1:9). After being conquered by Christ, we must then be deliberate and committed to be a channel of blessing.
Some ways through which we can be a channel of blessing are:
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Be a friend: To be a friend, you’ve to put yourself, and your circumstances behind you, while putting others first (Rom. 12:10). Your everyday duty is to spread some cheer, show some love, bring some hope and offer help. By being a friend as you journey through life, people will be lifted from their dungeon of despair and sadness.
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Be a good listener: This shows how respectable you are as it helps to build a good rapport, and demonstrates how much you care about others. According to a report by The Holdsworth Center, to be a good listener, you must practice talking 10 – 20% of the time during conversation and listening 80 – 90% of the time.
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Pray for others: The place of prayer cannot be overemphasized in being a channel of blessing to others. Prayer does wonders, conquers territories, and put the enemies at flight. For you to be a channel of blessing, you must be a man/woman of prayer (Jam. 5:16).
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Sharing the word of God: By speaking the word of life to the hopeless and sinners, you can deliver them from the power of sin and hell (Heb. 4:12).
I’ll conclude with the quote of Jenny Flintoft “Making the world a better place doesn’t have to come from grand gestures. It comes from kind gestures, holding the door for someone, smiling at strangers, encouraging people in what they’re doing, being bright with service staff, and giving compliments. In all these small actions, we inspire love and understanding which makes the world a better place for us all.”