August 23 was the perfect day to kick off a new academic year with one of our favorite traditions: the MFIS Welcome Picnic. Under sunny skies, new international students gathered to meet one another, enjoy good food, and experience a classic American picnic.

This video celebrates the heart of our organization—those who gave their time, energy, and kindness during the 2024–2025 academic year....

The world is a little crazy right now. Many of us are feeling uncertainty and worry about the future of our international friends. We...

Everything felt new, loud, and fast. I had just arrived from India in Fall 2024 to study Computer Science and Data Science at UW-Madison, and it felt like I’d been dropped into another planet.

This past Thanksgiving, we had the joy of participating in the Madison Friends of International Students holiday hosting program for the first time—and what a memorable experience it turned out to be!

The Cap Times highlighted MFIS in an article recognizing the vital role volunteers played in supporting international students during a time of heightened immigration restrictions.

This year, 386 students from 42 countries participated in MFIS programs and events. The students represented countries ranging from Australia to Vietnam.

YOU are amazing, important, and incredibly appreciated! This year 25 donors helped offset our expenses with their generous donations. Whether you share your time or make a donation to support our work, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without you.