Network of Nations makes international students ‘feel at home’ in DeKalb

DeKALB – Rian Mohammed said he knew he would need time to adjust to life in the U.S. when he first came to study abroad at Northern Illinois University this past January. But it’s gotten easier with time.

Coming from India, he knew life in America would be different.

Mohammed said he’s felt more comfortable navigating resources at NIU and in the greater campus community to get what he needs thanks, in part, to Network of Nations. The para-church ministry at 449 Normal Road, DeKalb, is devoted to building connections between international communities at NIU and Kishwaukee College, and the local community.

For some, that could mean finding the nearest driver’s license facility, going to the Social Security Administration office or arranging for airport pick-up. Whatever the errand, international students are aided with adapting fast to life in a foreign country.

“It did make things a lot easier,” Mohammed said of the Network. “The community is so good.”

This semester, NIU has enrolled 972 students from countries outside the U.S. Illinois has seen a steady increase in international students enrolled in public universities across the state since 2022, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education. That trend is especially present in graduate school populations, data shows.

In 2024, Network of Nations celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Executive Director Lisa Dietrich said reaching this milestone means a lot to the ministry.

“That’s pretty big when local people support a local nonprofit such as this, that they really find it valuable and not just the need but a real want to be encouraging, to be supportive and to be present in international students' lives,” Dietrich said. “Because when they come, they only come with two pieces of luggage and they do not know anyone. So, it can be very, very lonely in their studies. This brings a sense of community.”

Dietrich said students tend to have positive experiences at Network of Nations.

“Even alumni contact me still even though they’ve been gone for many years, and they call DeKalb their home,” Dietrich said. “If they would have been able to stay, they would have. Those who were really engaged and involved with Network of Nations, many community members become like family.”

“They help you so much navigating through life. I know it’s easy stuff. It can be overlooked, but it’s the little things which accumulate and make a big difference, make you feel at home, make you feel normal.”

—  Rian Mohammed

Mohammed is like many international students and volunteers who say they have found a special place through the Network, where they can feel like they belong.

Maple Park resident Fred High, who volunteers for Network of Nations, said the ministry holds a special spot in his heart.

“It gives these students a place to call home, a base camp to establish themselves,” High said. “Network of Nations is real good for helping out with orientation and anything from like going to the Social Security office, airport pick-ups. I mean, you name it.”

Mohammed shared that sentiment.

“It just makes me feel at home,” he said.

At Network of Nations, communal meals are served on Friday nights. All are welcome.

Dietrich said Friday night meals are usually well-attended.

“We can serve for our meals on Friday nights anywhere between 60 to 80 students normally, on average,” Dietrich said.

But it’s not only the meals that keep people coming back. The Network hosts multiple activities to help grow connections and build community among the students.

The ministry offers English conversation classes, small groups, a women’s group dubbed GloW, a men’s group called GPS, and a Revelation Bible study group.

Dietrich said the ministry is “flourishing with people and programs” throughout the week.

“The location that we are in now, we just moved in last January,” she said. “This is the first time that we actually have a place near campus. We had had our office at First Baptist Church for 24 years. They blessed us with the opportunity to be there and then another organization, Baptist Campus Ministry, allowed us to come in and partner with them.”

On Friday, Network of Nations hosted a special gathering to help international students usher in the holidays with the local community.

High said being able to connect with the international community brings great meaning to he and his wife. He said the pair enjoy opening their doors to the international community especially around the holidays.

“We have seven kids in all, but one of them are in the area,” High said. “They still get a kick out of when we have students over for Thanksgiving, holidays and stuff.”

Mohammed said he is making the most of the resources around him and it’s made a difference in his life.

“I love talking to people,” Mohammed said. “I didn’t use to be this way before, but I don’t know. When I came to the states, I had this confidence that just boosted. I love talking to people now. I love making new friends, having new conversations, getting to be normal.”

Mohammed said that as an international graduate student at NIU, it feels great knowing that he can turn to Network of Nations as a resource.

“When you’re traveling from a different country to the United States, you don’t know anything,” Mohammed said. “I remember a vending machine was a bit intimidating to me because I couldn’t figure it out. It was all so confusing. They help you so much navigating through life. I know it’s easy stuff. It can be overlooked, but it’s the little things which accumulate and make a big difference, make you feel at home, make you feel normal.”