Programs & Activities
Home Away From Home
Home Away From Home (HAFH) connects ACU’s international students with families in our community. Married couples, with or without kids and single parents participate as host families, connecting with students at least once a month to provide a firsthand experience of what it’s like to belong with an American family and have a home away from home. In turn, families have the opportunity to learn about the student’s culture and home country.
HAFH is not a home-stay program nor are sponsorships involved, but we do require a commitment to the entire school year.
Ready to be a part of HAFH? Fill out the respective application and liability forms, and we’ll be in touch! If you have any questions in the meantime, email us at acu.hafh@gmail.com.
International Student Advisory Board
The International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) bridges the international student community to the larger ACU community, enhancing the international student community by providing feedback and recommendations to OISVS on programs, activities and support.
The ISAB board is composed of 6-8 undergraduate and graduate international students representing a wide range of cultures, disciplines and experiences from the different regions of the world. This is a great opportunity to grow in your leadership while developing new initiatives that continue ACU’s support of our international community.
International Student Peer Mentor Program
The International Student Peer Mentor Program pairs a new international student with a current international student to walk with them through their transition to ACU with resources and connections on campus. Peer mentors serve new students by answering questions, becoming a friend, offering rides and being an empathetic ear.
Are you interested in being a peer mentor for the upcoming school year? Let us know, and we’ll share more information and details on the application process.
3C Dinner
3C (Cross-Cultural Conversation) Dinners are a welcoming space for students from diverse cultural backgrounds to come together for a home-cooked meal and freely discuss their perspectives on various cross-cultural topics. Dinners take place twice per semester, typically at the home of various host families within the Abilene community.
Cultural Immersion Dinner
Through Cultural Immersion Dinner, our students share how their home country has made them who they are. Students prepare a dish from their home and a short presentation to share their cultural values with faculty, illuminating how these professors can support each international students’ academic success.
International Dinner
Join the Green family for dinner on Friday nights! These dinners welcome international students from ACU and Hardin Simmons University campuses for dinner and worship. Transportation is provided by OISVS with pick ups at 5:45 p.m. at Nelson Hall’s back patio and 5:50 p.m. at University Park Clubhouse.
Hospitali-TEA
OISVS and the Office of Spiritual Formation hosts a weekly Hospitali-TEA in the Campus Center basement. Come enjoy a warm cup of tea and biscuits while engaging in fun conversations with fellow students, faculty and staff.
International Student Organizations
International Students Association (ISA)
ISA cultivates a community to integrate and support international students’ academic, spiritual and social growth at ACU. We celebrate the international cultures represented by our students through annual events like the Ethnos Culture Show, International Food Festival, Spring Escape and Spring Banquet as well as a weekly small group ISA Chapel.
Contact Information
Facebook: @isaculture
Instagram: @acu_isa
Website: https://isaofacu.wixsite.com/website
Email: isa@acu.edu
African Students Association (ASA)
ASA is an innovative group that nourishes students’ African identity. We celebrate and raise awareness of the diverse African cultures and all they have to offer. We promote community through our events like CHOMA African Food Festival and African Awareness Week, giving back to the local Abilene community as well as contributing globally to our communities back home in Africa. We welcome everyone to join us and share in our focus on the mother continent of Africa.
Contact Information
Instagram: @acu.asa
Asian Student Organization
The Asian Student Organization embraces the various Asian cultures represented on ACU’s campus to form a home for those from around the world while welcoming a community eager to learn more about our amazing cultures and customs. Together, we glorify God and spread love, joy and kindness on the ACU campus and beyond.
Contact Information
Instagram: @acu_aso
Email: jkm21a@acu.edu
Indian Culture Association (ICA)
The Indian Culture Association is a student organization that values and shares Indian culture and traditions.
Contact Information
Email: yyp19a@acu.edu
Instagram: @acu.hca
Third Culture Kids
Third Culture Kids recognizes the unique experiences of students who left their native culture and moved to a completely new one, standing with one foot in their or their parents’ old culture and the other foot in their new one. We empower other TCKs in their transitions and promote cultural diversity on campus through biweekly dinners and retreats.
Contact Information
Email: tcksofacu@gmail.com
Instagram: @acu_tck
