W elcome to IFA! It is an honor to be the Founder and President of this new organization. IFA's mission is to serve the international community on the Bloomington campus.

International students are an asset and offer a great deal in terms of history, music, art, culture, and language. Having held discussions with the Office of International Services and International Center's staff, and fellow international students, the idea of arranging an airport pickup soon developed into what is now IFA.

The primary basis on which IFA has been established is to assist new international students prior to their arrival. International students have several concerns before they travel to the U.S. and we want to make sure they know as much as they can about IU and Bloomington before they travel.

To achieve this end we have the buddy system where each new international student (who wishes to participate) chooses an existing Board member to be his/her buddy. The buddy then responds to the new student¡¯s concerns, and the two maintain e-mail contact until the student arrives on campus.

IFA has several other programs in place and extends its services to existing national and international (including Intensive English Program – IEP) students as well.

I am grateful to the Executive Board for their valuable efforts in helping set up IFA. These are a dedicated group of international students who share similar views about helping new international students. Having worked with such a diverse student body in setting up IFA has been a wonderful experience – something I would definitely re-live!

IFA is also fortunate to have as its advisors Molly Heidemann (Orientation Coordinator – OIS) and Sandy Britton (Coordinator, IC). Both, Molly and Sandy, have been instrumental in helping establish IFA, and helping the Executive Board achieve its mission.

It is within my strategic plan to see IFA gradually grow at other colleges and universities across the country. I hope to see IFA grow to be a successful organization that initiates a healthy relation between existing and prospective IU students.

Omar J. Memon
President
International Friendship Association
Indiana University, Bloomington