Mission
VISITOR & INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION IS A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION THAT AIMS TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING IN MEMPHIS, TN. MOVING TO A NEW COUNTRY CAN BE AN ISOLATING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR CULTURE, LANGUAGE, FAMILY, TRADITIONS, AND FOOD. THIS OFTEN RESULTS IN AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF LONELINESS AND EXCLUSION FOR THE STUDENTS. OUR COMMUNITY IS DESIGNED TO DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF WELCOMING THEM TO OUR CITY BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. WE ACHIEVE THIS BY ORGANIZING A RANGE OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS WELCOMING EVENTS, DINNER GATHERINGS, WEEKEND TRIPS, AND OFFERING PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE LIKE HELPING STUDENTS OBTAIN DRIVER'S LICENSES, GROCERY SHOPPING, VEHICLE PURCHASES, AND NETWORKING TO FIND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE AIM TO BUILD A THRIVING COMMUNITY AND SERVE AS A "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.