Welcome to IFM!

In-person meetings at 1727 Pendleton St at 7 p.m. Dinner is free.

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Friday Night Dinners

& weekly Zoom meetings

Friday Nights

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Weekly Dinners

For almost 40 years, IFM has organized a weekly dinner and program on Friday evenings. The in-person meetings are in the basement of 1727 Pendleton St. where we have dinner at 7 p.m. and English classes at 8 p.m. Click the button to see more details and preregister.

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Friday Night Zoom Meetings

We also have weekly Zoom meetings on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Participants can choose between English lessons and life-changing presentations followed by discussion. We often have participants from several continents, as well as friends living here in South Carolina.

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Special Dinners

We have special dinners at various locations to celebrate holidays and American traditions such as cookouts and game nights. See the upcoming special events we have below, or click the button to see previous events we have held.

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The 2023 Welcome Banquet will be held on September 1 at First Presbyterian Church

American Friendship Partners

Fill out a form and be matched with an American or International Friend!

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Hospitality Tours

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St. Matthews, SC in October 2022

IFM organizes tours throughout the year to places in South Carolina and the US. We are still rolling out trips that had to be stopped for the pandemic. All trips are contingent on having enough participants to justify trip costs. See some trips we have taken using the button.

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About Us

International Friendship Ministries (IFM) began in Columbia, SC in 1981, in fulfillment of the vision of an international student from India, Raj Aluri. Having experienced the unique needs of a foreign born student studying in the USA, Raj knew firsthand the importance of linking local residents with international students.