This article was posted on the Relational Mission website. The authors are Stuart and Sue Anderson, who spent 15 years living in South Asia, where Stuart worked as an engineer building hospitals, irrigation, and water supply projects. They have now returned to the UK and have become involved with Friends International. You can read the original post here.
Over the decades of living first in Cambridge, then overseas, and now in Norwich, we’ve enjoyed meeting students from all over the world. Three common questions asked by many we’ve met are:
- “It’s so cold here – when is your English summer going to start?”
- “How do I get around over the Christmas holidays – why are there no buses and trains running?”
- “Where can I find any shops with food that I like?”
If you’ve been around people who’ve found themselves in the UK for the first time, you are probably familiar with some of these!
The Deeper Question: Making Friends in a New Culture
While adjustments to cold weather, inadequate public transport, and bland English fast food may be the most talked-about issues there is, however, a more significant question that is only ever obliquely expressed and most of the time goes unasked. It is: “I miss my family and friends back home so much — how can I make friends here in the UK?”
Friendship! Hospitality is often a much richer and more significant practice in countries from which international students come. Sadly, our cold British weather is often associated with a chilly reception felt by many arriving from overseas.
A Biblical Mandate for Hospitality
This can’t be right! The Bible is full of examples of how to reach people who are very different from ourselves, for example:
- “And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners…” (Deuteronomy 10:19 NIV)
- “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers…” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV)
- “When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?” (Matthew 25:38 NIV)
Friends International: Connecting With Students
Christians have a clear mandate to reach out across cultural divides and language barriers. Friends International (FI) is a Christian charity that seeks to grow friendship and faith with international students across the UK. They estimate that over 600,000 international students study at UK universities, and some 550,000 come to study English in language schools.
This number has grown significantly in recent years as British universities have become increasingly dependent on international students’ tuition fees to make ends meet. The University of East Anglia (UEA) currently has 16% non-UK students, of which 4% are from the EU. UEA claims to be ‘a truly global university,’ with over 3,500 international students from over 100 countries worldwide.
This is remarkable, and we mustn’t let the opportunity to share Jesus slip through our hands!
Addressing Cultural Adjustment and Trauma
In cities where the government has dispersed asylum seekers, some churches have been reaching out for help to address issues of trauma, such as:
- Leaving the familiarity of their home/culture for economic or persecution reasons;
- Getting to the UK often via people smugglers, maybe seeing others dying on the way;
- Adjusting in the UK when many don’t want them here;
- Language learning–most, though not all, are struggling with English.
Although international students may face cultural adjustment challenges similar to those of other professionals or immigrants arriving in the UK, in our experience, they generally don’t suffer the same level of trauma because:
- They wanted to study abroad, often supported in part by family financial resources or scholarships;
- Their arrival in the UK is planned and organised, usually well in advance on scheduled airlines;
- The universities have been expecting them, planning well-organised welcome receptions, etc.
- UK universities expect them to have attained a reasonably high standard of English.
Engaging Students Through Bible Studies
While others focus on asylum seekers, FI focuses on international students and their unique adjustment issues. FI aims to give as many as possible the experience of local culture and opportunities to hear the Christian message. Activities are open to those of all faiths and none. One of our greatest joys has been introducing the Bible to students with little or no knowledge of Christianity.
At one recent FI study, someone asked: “Why does Jesus say ‘you must be born again’? It sounds like there’s not much option,” to which I replied “You’re right – Jesus didn’t say: ‘It would be very nice if you perhaps consider whether it’s a good idea to be born again.’ Jesus clearly states – without suggesting any alternative – ‘You MUST be born again.’” The questions and comments that crop up really help everyone to consider what the Bible says in a new way.
We are continuing this autumn term with a new series of Friday evening Bible studies. These evenings also include social events aimed at helping students understand and experience British culture.
Of course, there’s lots of food, too! So often, Jesus’s ministry happened during meals! Other activities include exploring Norwich, canoeing on the River Wensum, and visiting Cambridge. Christians from Norwich churches are encouraged to attend these and build relationships with the students. On more than one occasion, we’ve had students we met at FI events join us at City West (King’s Norwich).
You can find out information about FI events happening in Norwich on their facebook page here.