About Us
International Friendship Outreach
(IFO) is a local ministry offering opportunities for social and cultural interaction between Americans and internationals who study, work, or live in the central Arkansas. We also sponsor a number of social events and outings during the year to make your time with us fun. We offer these services in both the Little Rock and Conway. If you are living or studying in Conway, check out IFO Conway for opportunities in that area.
“A friend loves at all times” Proverbs 17:7
We want to be that kind of friend!
We assist internationals in getting settled in the Central Arkansas area and provide access to free maps, brochures, and visitor's guides;
We present on-going opportunities to learn about American Culture and to work on English Language Skills;
We encourage friendships between internationals and Americans by hosting a variety of fun activities and events throughout the year;
We offer voluntary opportunities, to those who are interested, to learn about and consider Christian beliefs.
Although we are a Christian organization, it is not necessary to participate in any religious activities we offer in order to take part in any events, or to receive our assistance and services. We offer all events and assistance to you freely and unconditionally.
How to Contact Us
LaJuana Magee, Director
International Friendship Outreach
5125 Lakeview Road
North Little Rock, AR 72116
Phone: (501) 912-3122
E-mail:
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More International Students Coming to USA
According to a new study, the United States remains the top destination for students from around the world. The New York-based Institute of International Education's Open Doors report, published in November, 2008, shows that more foreign students than ever are coming to American colleges and universities. International student enrollment increased by 7% to 623,805 in the 2007-08 academic year—the largest annual increase since 1980. The survey, funded by the State Department's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, accumulates data from 3,000 institutions of higher education. The report noted also that American universities continue to enjoy a world-wide reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research.
Conversation Clubs
Practice conversational English and learn about others as they learn about you!
How would you like to join us for a weekly dinner and some good conversation with Americans and other internationals? This event will help you learn, practice, and develop good conversational English skills---along with the use of some American idioms. You will also have the opportunity to teach others about your culture while learning about theirs.
You may ask, "What is Conversation Club"?
Let me explain:
- It's Americans and Internationals coming together.
- It's Conversational English done in creative ways.
- It's American Idioms and practicing language skills.
- It's dinner each week prepared by some very nice women from IFO.
- It's sharing culture, country, and family.
- It's meeting new people each week.
- It's developing lasting friendships.
- It's learning about others.
- It's others learning about you.
- And It's FREE!
We are looking forward to spending time each week with our internationals friends. We hope that you will come and join us and let us get to know you. See photos of our Conversation Club group.
Here are the details:
When: Monday nights
Dates: Monday nights: Sept.12–Oct. 17 for the Little Rock group
Time: 6:00pm - 8:30PM
Where: MetroBCM, 5515 West 32nd St. on the UALR campus.
(Directions provided below.)
Dinner will be served each Monday night, so come hungry! Please RSVP to help us plan well. Sponsored by International Friendship Outreach and Metro Student Ministry.
If you think that you might like to join us, please e-mail us at
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and let us know so that we can plan well.
Directions to Metro Student Ministry:
- Metro is on the UALR campus.
- Take I-630 to Fair Park.
- Go south on Fair Park.
- You will pass 12th Street and then through a residential area.
- You will then come up on the back side of UALR.
- You will see the UALR dorm on the right and then the street light at W32nd street.
- Turn right on W32nd Street.
- Metro will be on the left.
- We will meet downstairs.
This will be a great place to make friends!
If you think that you might like to join us, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know so that we can plan well.
Airline Security Requirements
How to Cope with Airline Travel Under New Security Requirements
To help make airline travel safer the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), on Jan. 1, 2003, began implementing new, heightened baggage security screening for checked baggage at all airports.
The measures are required to comply with airport security regulations passed by Congress in 2001 following terrorist attacks. About 300 U.S. airports already have been supplied with bomb detection equipment. While other airports await their equipment, bomb-sniffing dogs, hand searches and other means will be utilized in order to meet the security requirements.
Ten Tips for Travelers
Some travelers will need to change the way they pack. Experts offer these tips to reduce waiting and inconvenience:
If passengers wish to transport food they should consider sending it by a private overnight express service as items such as cheese or fruit cake may set off a "false positive." These items are dense and bomb detection machines may not read accurately if they are packed.
Books should be spread out instead of stacked as they can also set off a "false positive" due to their density.
Shoes should be packed last to make it easier for screeners to hand search baggage.
Don't put film in checked bags because screening equipment will damage it. (Digital cameras will not be affected.)
Put personal items, like underwear and toiletries, in a zip-lock plastic bag so screeners don't have to handle them.
Leave bags unlocked so screeners will not have to force them open. It is recommended that passengers use cable or zip ties, which can be purchased at hardware stores and cut off easily.
Put scissors, pocket-knives and other sharp items in checked bags; never carried on board the aircraft.
Put personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce chances of a TSA screener having to handle them.
If you have gifts in your luggage, leave them unwrapped.
Finally…show up early. Airlines typically require passengers to arrive 90 minutes in advance for domestic and 2 hours in advance for international flights, but it is recommended passengers allow even more time for the new screening process. The TSA also reminded passengers that all bags are subject to search. The agency says it is moving toward providing travelers with free, padlock-like seals that screeners can snip open if a search is necessary.
TSA chief James M. Loy said the agency is not liable for damage to bags that must be opened and searched but he said the agency is still working on a liability policy to cover cases where bags are missing. "For the short term, we will handle incidents on a case-by-case basis," Loy said.
If TSA screeners need to open a bag, they will place a notice inside that includes a toll-free number for passengers to call if they have a complaint, and the bag will be marked on the outside with a tag identifying it as one that was screened.
For the most up-to-date information regarding airport security measures, including a list of prohibited articles, you can access the Transportation Security Administration's website.
Local Information
The links below will take you to helpful web sites providing much useful information about getting settled in the USA and in Arkansas.
American Culture and Living In the United States
Health Care
The following two facilities offer health care and medical services either free or on a sliding fee schedule based on income:
West Side Free Medical Clinic (free on Wednesdays only)
Phone: 664-0340
Little Rock Community Health Center
Phone: 376-1295
1522 West 10th Street (near Children's Hospital)
Hours:
| Monday | 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday/Thursday | 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:30 a.m. – Noon |
Local Movie Listings, Schedules and Theater Info
Central Arkansas Movie Theaters and Movie Times
United Artists Breckenridge Village 12
Showplex Cinemas Lakewood 8 Theater (North Little Rock)
Arts & Entertainment
Shakespeare Festival of Arkansas
Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts
Arkansas State and Local Government
Access Arkansas, official web site of Arkansas state government
Auto license & registration FAQ page — how to register and license a vehicle licensed in another state; a newly purchased vehicle; renew an existing vehicle license, etc.
Motor vehicle forms
Driver’s license FAQ page — what to do, where to go, documents needed, etc.
Driver’s Examination Manual
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (State Parks, Outdoors & Sports, History & Heritage, Attractions, Calendar of Events, Arkansas Travel Magazine; etc.)
Statewide Library Links
Academic Library Collections
Arkansas State University (ASU) - Jonesboro
Harding University – Searcy
Hendrix College – Conway
John Brown University - Siloam Springs
Lyon College – Batesville
Ouachita Baptist University – Arkadelphia
University of Arkansas Libraries – Fayetteville
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) – Conway
Public Libraries (Little Rock)
Central Arkansas Library System
William F. Laman Public Library (NLR)
Statewide Museums & Exhibits
Aerospace Education Center Arkansas Air Museum, Fayetteville
Little Rock Zoo
Museum of Discovery
Old State House Museum
Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View
Ozark Heritage Museum, Leslie
Statewide Stadiums & Arenas
Alltel Arena
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
War Memorial Stadium - Little Rock
Universities
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)
University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
Harding University (Searcy, AR)
Philander Smith College Lyon College (Batesville)
Little Rock Churches Sponsoring IFO
Bible Church of Little Rock
Cornerstone Bible Fellowship
Covenant Presbyterian ChurchFellowship Bible Church
Grace Church
Mosaic Church
The Summit Church
Temple Baptist Church
Intellectual Approaches to Religious & Cultural Issues
Christian Answers.net
Answers to Life's Ultimate Questions
God's Story: From Creation to Eternity (Streaming video available in 25 languages; also audio only version)
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Historic Jesus
Discover God
