It does not have to be a holiday or any special occasion to let them know someone is interested in them as individuals. Internationals often respect professors more highly than they do other Americans. An invitation to your home is a privilege to these students and they are greatly interested in hearing the things you could share with them. They are eager to learn everything about the American way of life. They assume all Americans are Christians, and they are curiously open to the gospel.
Many international students are lonesome and want to be around families.
A good strategy is to include them in family activities. They are easy to please. They may even volunteer to help you do errands, chores, or a project such as painting a room. You may offer to help them learn to grocery shop or go to garage sales to find used furniture, kitchen items, or other things they need at a price they can afford. One faculty wife remembers how the everyday task of grocery shopping can be confusing for an international student.