Hospitality and Assistance
Assistance When You Arrive
CCFI volunteers are available to meet
you at Columbia International Airport as long as
we have advance notice of your travel arrangements.
Complete the Arrival
Assistance Form to notify
us ten days prior to your arrival.
Emergency Instructions: Our volunteers
are extremely reliable. If, for some reason, a
volunteer is not at the airport within 30 minutes
of your arrival, and you cannot reach anyone by
phone, please take a taxi cab from the airport,
and ask the driver to take you to a moderately
priced
hotel near the University. Contact International
Programs for Students at 777-7461 for
further assistance.
Sign Up for a Community Host
Take advantage of our Community Host program,
which matches local families with students like
to you to
offer
regular
assistance
during your first year of study. While you do not
live with your Community Host family, you may be
invited
to participate
in activities, events and outings.
It will give you an opportunity
to practice English and experience American life
outside of the classroom, and it will make Columbia
feel more like home. Sign
up for a community host here.
English Program for Internationals (EPI)
Assistance
If you are planning to enrol or have enrolled
in this USC program to improve your English,
we will be happy to assist you with registration
and orientation, provide you with opportunities
to practice conversational English and other
services. Contact
us here if you would like assistance with EPI.
Loans
Home Furnishings Loan
If you will be living off-campus, CCFI will lend
you home furnishings and accessories (if
available) for
use during your stay that must be returned
when you leave. Click
here to apply for a home furnishings loan.
Emergency Financial Loan
If you have an emergency and are need
of cash, CCFI may be able to help with a short-term (30-day),
small-amount cash loan. Click
here to apply for an emergency loan.
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Social Events
You are invited to CCFI's social events and activities
during the school year. Click
here for the calendar and other details.
Weekly International Hour Lunch
Join us for lunch
each Friday at noon during the school year.
You will
meet people from the community and enjoy homemade food
at
the ELM
Center,
728 Pickens Street (near the corner of Pickens and
Greene Streets). Click
here for a map.
Orientation Reception
Come to a special orientation reception at the
James F. Byrnes Building at the beginning of the
school year. Click
here for a map.
Welcome Reception Dinner
Join us at our annual dinner at the beginning
of the school year, which welcomes all international
students. The event features
local
entertainment and homemade food prepared by CCFI
members.
USC President's Reception
The USC President, with the assistance of CCFI,
welcomes international students with a reception
in the fall. Join us for this annual event.
South Carolina Governor's Reception
Meet South Carolina's Governor and First
Lady and see the Governor's
Mansion at this spring
reception.
Click here for a map.
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