Simon & Amy

about

international students in Amsterdam 

students groups and churches 

why international students?

articles

biography 

Every year over 3000 students leave their homes all over the world and come to study in Amsterdam.

They arrive in a new country, often thousands of miles from home, knowing no one. They must live and study in a very different culture and possibly in their second or third language.

As a result they may struggle with loneliness, cultural adjustments, financial difficulties and huge pressures on their work.

Many students have never heard the good news of Jesus but are open to learn about Christianity in their new cultural setting.

Through our work with Christ Church and ISMA we hope to offer friendship, community and holistic support to international students, and share with them the ultimate love and hope offered by Jesus Christ. We pray that Christian students may grow in their faith while they are here, and return home with the desire and skills to spread the gospel as leaders in their own country.

 Some of the ways that we try to do this include: 

• leading 'the Bridge' - ISMA's weekly meetingpoint for international students
• leading and coordinating a range of Bible study groups 
• meeting with students individually to chat and/or pray and read the Bible
• encouraging students and non-students to use & develop their gifts to serve others
• developing resources of information for students (on paper & on the web) - for example information on local churches or culture stress.