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Since 1978, AMIS Atlanta has been welcoming international students and scholars to the Atlanta area through our many programs and events which help them get to know our city and connect them with local families and individuals who want to serve and make international friends.
Our international students come from over 90 different nations and are students at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory, Columbia Theological Seminary, Agnes Scott, Kennesaw State, Morehouse College, Oglethorpe University, Beulah Heights, Atlanta Technical College, Chattahoochee Technical College, SCAD, Georgia Southwestern University and others.
We invite you to get involved in this grassroots effort to promote cultural understanding and global peace one friendship at a time.
"For me, AMIS is a great learning experience to bring [everyone] together"
Atlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS Atlanta) promotes cultural and global understanding through friendship and hospitality with international students and scholars in the greater Atlanta area.
AMIS Atlanta strives for a more peaceful, welcoming, and connected world through international friendship.
Respect and Openness - AMIS Atlanta is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is respectful and open to all people and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Friendsgiving with Amis

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Camille Kesler

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Petar Ivusic

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You are invited to join AMIS for our Friendsgiving Lunch on Saturday, November 14th at 12 PM. Students may purchase discounted tickets to enjoy the catered Thanksgiving meal (with vegetarian options) and participate in activities, crafts, and trivia, with a prize for the winning table. In addition to the discounted $8 ticket option, there is also a ticket option to pay what you can or nothing at all if you are having financial difficulties. We don’t want lack of finances to be a reason you miss out on this event. We want to see you there! So, sign up now and bring your friends! Use the link in our bio!

Just one week to go until Friendsgiving 2026! This is our annual event to share a Thanksgiving dinner with international students, scholars, volunteers, and supporters. Log onto amisatlanta.org/events to get your tickets today! Invite your friends to join us! Discounted tickets available for students, as well as a “Pay what you can“ option for those who may be experiencing financial difficulty. We want to see you there! RSVP today so we have an accurate headcount to give the caterer!

Here’s a wonderful friendship story to brighten your day… At the 48th annual AMIS Welcome Reception one of our new Amigo volunteers met a few lovely exchange students from Europe. They ended up exchanging numbers and becoming closer friends. One of the girls was from Germany so Omodolapo took them up to Helen, GA for Oktoberfest (German tradition) and they had a great time! Omodolapo also recently went to an apple orchard in Elijay, Georgia with some of the other girls and that was also really fun! Omodolapo says she is grateful for our Amigo Friendship program and for her new friendships! Well, Omodolapo, WE are very grateful for YOU! Thank you for your kindness in befriending Atlanta’s international students and scholars and for supporting AMIS’s programs!

Students: Would you like to learn more about the US holiday of Thanksgiving and eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal? Join AMIS friends and volunteers for Friendsgiving, a group Thanksgiving meal on Saturday, November 14th at 12 PM. Volunteers: We invite you to join us as well to participate in cultural exchange by attending and sharing your Thanksgiving memories and traditions! Everyone: Come eat a Thanksgiving meal: Turkey is traditionally served on Thanksgiving, along with a wide variety of sides and fall desserts, including vegetarian options. There will be something for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. We hope you will join AMIS Atlanta to experience this quintessential American holiday. Click on the link in our bio to buy your tickets! The event location is just a block away from a MARTA train station! Register ASAP so we can give the caterer a headcount for planning purposes! Get Your Ticket at amisatlanta.org/events!

Flashback to last year’s #Friendsgiving Lunch! 🦃 We had so much fun introducing traditional Thanksgiving foods to our international student friends and loved having local Atlantans and volunteers join us to share about their holiday traditions! We hope you will join us for this year’s Friendsgiving on Saturday, November 14 at 12 PM! Register today at AMISatlanta.org/events! Invite your friends, family and colleagues to get a ticket to join us, too!

Thanks to Eric Szymczak for volunteering as an Amigo to international student Rubén Cristóbal Hornillos from Spain! We love seeing photos of AMIS friendships in action!

What a beautiful day to be outside! Special thanks to AMIS board member Jesse Hancock for being our guide at today’s Brookhaven International Festival!

Would you like to learn more about the US holiday of Thanksgiving and eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal? Join AMIS friends and volunteers for Friendsgiving, a group Thanksgiving meal on Saturday, November 14th at 12 PM at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Midtown! International student tickets are only $8! Participate in cultural exchange: Our volunteers will share their Thanksgiving memories and traditions, and international students can share about their countries’ holidays and traditions. Eat a Thanksgiving meal: Turkey is traditionally served on Thanksgiving, along with a wide variety of sides and fall desserts. Do you have dietary restrictions? Don’t worry, we can accommodate you if you let us know when you buy your ticket! We hope you will join AMIS Atlanta to experience this quintessential American holiday. Click on the link in our bio to buy your ticket! #amisatlanta

Longtime AMIS volunteers Nadeen and Ned recently had breakfast to celebrate the 25th anniversary of friendship with their 2001 Amigos! That makes us so very happy to see! Nadeen is even wearing the same sweater in both pictures! #InternationalFriendship #amisatlanta #25YearsOfFriendship

Join AMIS friends at the 2026 Brookhaven International Festival at Brookhaven Park on Saturday, Oct. 17 at noon! This free, family-friendly festival transforms the park into a cultural celebration with live music, performances, international food trucks, activities for kids, a global marketplace, interactive chalk art, and more. Register using the link in our bio!

We’re sending a big thank you to Nurlana Akhundova from Azerbaijan. Nurlana, a #Fulbright Visiting Researcher at @georgiastateuniversity, spoke at the 48th Welcome Reception about her experience with AMIS and her journey to Atlanta. We’re so grateful to have her participation and friendship!

Last month, AMIS hosted our 48th AMIS Welcome Reception at CODA Plaza! With just over 200 people, including international students from 26 countries along with AMIS volunteers and friends, this event was an afternoon of fun, friendship, and connection. Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this event a success including Jesse Hancock, Heidy Brusitus, Roti Chakraborty, Sujay Galen, Shivam Kumar, Iris Pi, Cara Hendsbee, Misty Whitlock, Paula Peche, Sandy McQueen, Andy Su, Lia Wright, Kirk Keene, Eboni McNeal, Nadeen Green, Ned Cone, Victoria Dorsey, the Kesler Family, Alona Piatnytska & Camille Kesler. Check out the link in our bio to watch a short video recap from this fun event!

Christmas International House (CIH) is a special program for U.S. international students and scholars to experience friendship and hospitality with an American host community during winter break. Through CIH, international students throughout the U.S. are able to travel and explore a new city, experience what it is like to live in an American home, and develop life-changing friendships. Christmas International House takes place in St. Augustine, Florida for two weeks during the holidays. It’s so much fun and students create memories to last a lifetime! For more information and to apply, click the link in our bio!

Amigos Misty and Shweta dining together! Thank you to AMIS volunteer Misty for the many ways you provide friendship and hospitality to our international students!

We’re so grateful for volunteers Jesse and Claire for hosting international students once again! They enjoyed dinner and games together and always do such a great job of helping us welcome international students and make them feel at home.

Thank you to @eastminsterpreschurch @presbyterianwomen for inviting @amis_atlanta to speak at their Luncheon today after #WorldCommunionDay service. Our executive director Camille Kesler enjoyed sharing about #AMISatlanta and meeting everyone! Thank you for having us!

International student Clémentine met her new AMIS Amigo, Omodolapo, this week. They visited Little Five Points, got coffee and window shopped. We’re so grateful for these burgeoning international friendships! 💕 If you’re interested in meeting international students, check out the link in our bio!

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