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Services and programs

CCFI services and programs offer hospitality, social and cultural opportunities and other assistance to Columbia's over 1,000 international students and other international visitors from their arrival here to their return home. We help them connect with Columbia residents to make their stay here easier and more enjoyable. At USC, we work closely with their International Programs for Students and the English Program for Internationals.

If you are an international student or visitor, or wish to become one, take a look at the visitor resources section of this site for more detailed information.


Services for Students

Arrival Hospitality

CCFI volunteers meet arriving internationals at the airport, train station or bus station and assist them in getting settled in their apartment or dormitory.

Community Friend

On request, CCFI will match international students with local families that can offer regular assistance during their stay, including shopping and/or sightseeing trips, meals in the home or just community friendship.

USC English Program for Internationals (EPI) Assistance

We assist students enrolled in USC's EPI program, which provides English as second language (ESL) instruction, with registration, orientation, opportunities to practice conversational English and other services.

Special Mini-Programs

Throughout the year, CCFI organizes special mini programs designed to give international students an opportunity to see and learn more about various sites, events and people in South Carolina,such as a tour of the State House, the Columbia Art Museum, the State Museum, a trip to Riverbanks Zoo,a canoe trip down the Saluda, an evening at the ballet, or a visit with a local author or artist.

Furnishings Program

CCFI maintains a furnishings loan program for internationals. This is a program that lends furniture and accessories to internationals during their stay. This program is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is always dependent on donations of items for loans. We also have a list of other furniture resources.

Emergency Loan Program

CCFI also operates an emergency loan program offering small cash and temporary loans to students in emergency and extraordinary circumstances.


Special Events

Orientation Reception

CCFI sponsors a reception at the James F. Byrnes Building for newly arriving international students at the beginning of each semester.

Welcome Dinner

CCFI also sponsors an annual dinner to welcome all new international students to USC. The event offers local entertainment, and the dinner features homemade, local food prepared by CCFI members.

President's Reception

We assist the president of the University of South Carolina in hosting an annual reception for all international students in the fall each year.

Governor's Reception

We assist the Governor and First Lady in sponsoring an annual reception for all international students attending colleges and universities statewide in the spring of each year at the South Carolina Governor's Mansion.

Weekly International Hour
Lunch

Every Friday at noon we sponsor a free lunch for internationals at the South Quad, located at the corner of Wheat and Sumter streets, in the lower level lounge for general camaraderie and good fellowship.

Cooperating Community Programs

CCFI invites the active participation with community organizations, churches and other groups in providing conversational English classes for international students as well as programs and events for spouses and children.

 

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