Upcoming Events
For almost 40 years, IFM has organized weekly Friday Night Friendship dinners. With in-person meetings postponed due to the coronavirus, now we are hosting a free “virtual program” every Friday! Participants can choose between English lessons and life-changing presentations followed by discussion. Invite your friends and come along! We often have participants from several continents, as well as friends living here in South Carolina.
Do you want to have an American Friendship Partner?
Practice your English and get to know a friend
The friendship Partner Program connects International Students who want to get to know an American with Americans who want to connect with Internationals.
There are so many things to do and learn. We will help to connect you to new people who you can share with and learn from.
IFM’s regular in-person activities and programs are currently on hold due to the worldwide virus pandemic. But we will not change program descriptions on this website, because we know everything will be back soon, better than ever! Please contact us for specific information or to receive our email updates.
Events by IFM:
Through out the University school year, IFM organizes weekly Friday Night Friendship dinners. Most are held at the Columbia Evangelical Church fellowship Hall (1727 Pendleton St. Columbia, SC). Other larger events are held elsewhere, as noted below:
August - Welcome Banquet - First Presbyterian Church
October - Fall Fest Dinner - IFM Office
November - Thanksgiving Dinner - First Baptist Church
December - IFM & CIF Christmas Drop in - IFM Office
December - Christmas Dinner and Pageant - First Baptist Church
December - Intl. Christmas Dinner - IFM Office
February - Valentines Dinner - Columbia Evangelical Church
April - Easter Dinner - IFM Office
May - Farewell Banquet - Columbia Evangelical Church
Our Purpose
IFM is a private Christian organization which seeks to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to international students through sincere friendship and service.
IFM President
Dr. Raj Aluri is the founder and President of the International Friendship Ministries and the Columbia International Festival. He is also the founder and president of the Agape English Language Institute for Internationals, USA.
IFM History
International Friendship Ministries (IFM) began in Columbia, SC in 1981, in fulfillment of the vision of an international student from India, Raj Aluri.
The International Student Holiday Hospitality/Home-stay Tours are organized by International Friendship Ministries (IFM). We have been offering tours since the early 1980s. Open to international students, scholars, and families of all nationalities and religious backgrounds,
IFM’s tours are designed to give you an opportunity to...
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Get away from campus during holidays,
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Meet new friends,
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Discover more about the Bible and Christianity
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Visit some of America's most popular attractions at discounted rates!
Friday Night Dinners
Related Sites:
Columbia International Festival
Agape English Language Institute
610 PICKENS STREET, PO BOX 12504, COLUMBIA, SC 29211
CALL/TEXT/WECHAT: (803) 799-3452 • RAJ: (803) 318-0800
EMAIL: INFO@IFMUSA.ORG