International Students in the United States

International students at U.S. universities are important both for the sending counties and for the U.S. At UConn there are approximately 2,100 international students. In Connecticut there are about 9,100 international students. Here are some other interesting statistics about international students.


Top 10 U.S. universities hosting international students:

University of Southern California 6,846
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 5,560
University of Texas at Austin 5,333
Columbia University 5,278
New York University 5,140
Purdue University 4,921
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor 4,632
Boston University 4,541
University of California at Los Angeles 4,217
Ohio State University 4,140


Top 10 countries sending international students to the U.S. :
India 80,466
China 62,523
South Korea 53,358
Japan 42,215
Canada 28,140
Taiwan 25,914
Mexico 13,063
Turkey 12,474
Germany 8,640
Thailand 8,637


Percent of Evangelical Christians in sending counties:

India 1.8%
China 6%
South Korea 15.5%
Japan 0.4%
Canada 10.8%
Taiwan 2.7%
Mexico 6.7%
Turkey <0.1%
Germany 2.9%
Thailand 0.7%

At UConn, International Christian Fellowship has a weekly meeting every Friday at 6:30 pm. More that half the students that come are not Christians. If you would like to learn more, please see our web site at www.uconnicf.org.

Source: Open Doors 2005: Report on International Educational Exchange, Operation World: 21st Century Edition, and CIA World Factbook.

Jesus Does Not Give Up on Us

Jesus chose His 12 closest followers and all twelve failed. They didn't understand His kingdom, they panicked in a storm, they argued among themselves about position. And Jesus patiently worked with them over and over. In His hour of greatest suffering and need, they ran away and deserted Him. Yet when He arose, He sought them and chose them again. And they changed the world!

Jesus keeps working with us, too. When we fail, He patiently restores us, teaches us and chooses us again. Let us remember when others fail and disappoint us, to show the same patience and mercy that Jesus modeled so many years ago, and still shows to us today.

Lord, thank you for being patient with me, and continuing to choose me in spite of my failures. Please help me to show the same kindness to others. Amen.

What Are You Looking For?

I was wondering if anyone out there in cyber-land was in need of winter hats, mittens, scarves? I have a few women's sets if anyone would like to let me know of your interest. I could bring them with me to the next Friday meeting at St. Mark's. Just e-mail me at ruth@uconnicf.org and I'll be in touch with you...as long as I can figure this "blog" thing out!

The Semester Begins

Fall 2006 has begun, and for several of you, adjusting to a full load of classes, research or teaching is just part of the challenge as you also learn about life in the USA, particularly Storrs. Stress, worry and homesickness are real emotions that can affect us all at times like this, but God, who loves us all, has some encouraging words that can be found in the Bible.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. "

This Scripture tells us that God gives us the strength to do what we need to do. But we are also instructed to encourage others with our words. Isaiah 50: 4 says: "The Lord God gives me the right words to encourage the weary. Each morning he awakens me eager to learn his teaching" .

So, be encouraged, and try to encourage others. Even if you do not know God, He knows you, loves you, and watches over you. And remember that we at ICF are here to help you, encourage you, and be your friends. Join us any Friday night at St. Mark's Chapel on North Eagleville Road (on campus) at 6:30 for a free meal and a great opportunity to meet new friends.

Chinese official and Christian evangelist release co-authored book

Here is an interesting article about a book co-authored by Luis Palau, a Christian evangelist and Zhao Qizheng, the Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former Minister of Information for the People's Republic of China. The book is entitled "Riverside Talks: A Friendly Dialogue between an Atheist and a Christian". You can read more at: http://www.palau.org/lpea/resources/news.php?rowid=299