Welcoming Women of all Nations (Since 1958)

Welcome to International Neighbors of Ann Arbor

International Day

Socializing, refreshments and special programs give women an opportunity to share their cultures and gain a deeper insight into American life.

Learn More!

Activities

Our monthly programs and small groups are held from September through May. Some groups continue throughout the summer.

Learn More

We are International Neighbors

We are a non-political, non-religious, non-commercial organization that welcomes ALL women from ALL nations with friendship, love, and respect. We stand with our newcomers and longtime members, as good neighbors do, and support them in times of need.”



Conversation, Discussion, & Reading



Tea Groups and Monthly Gatherings



Make friends, and explore different cultures



Volunteer opportunities and more!

IN shelter in place, President letter April 2020

So sheltering in place here we are all together yet apart from one another. What has it meant to your lives? Please post how it is going for you on our Facebook page, whether it is sad or funny or both or simply news about you. We want to read it.

For me it has been very interesting. I got very sick for a while and now I pretty much recovered and am so grateful for that! But also I have noticed some things about being at home with my husband all the time. He drags his slippered feet more than I realized, tells me all the national and world news whether I want it or not, and he talks out loud to himself when he is working on puzzles. I have responded to him several times thinking he was speaking to me – he was not. I am not going to ask him to tell me things I do that irritate him or that he finds strange because I know I am perfect, right?

I cannot imagine having kids at home all the time as many of you do. It must be quite a challenge. I have seen many posts on our Facebook page with really fun and creative ideas for families and kids’ things to do. I would like to see what things you are doing outside with them as the weather warms and how you are handling their education. Post, Post, Post on the FB page.

Many groups have been meeting and sharing books and conversation using ZOOM – my music group has used this application to stay in touch and to sing. It has been a great help. How many of you use ZOOM to talk to family and friends?

I know this has been a very difficult time for many of you and being an International Neighbor member is all about getting together to share cultures and stories. We have missed each other – the foods – music- our friendships. Please know that as soon as the governor says we can meet again we will. In the meantime stay connected, stay strong, share your worries and ideas on Facebook and Zoom and most of all stay with International Neighbors. Soon, very soon, we will again see each other’s faces, hug each other, dance and laugh as amazing IN women.

We miss you, I miss you, see you soon,

Andra Bostian Ferguson – President

Activities & Groups?

International Neighbors (IN) are “Neighbors” (local women) who welcome “Newcomers” (women from other countries) into the community through participation in a wide variety of activities. Our monthly programs and small groups are held from September through May.

English Conversation Groups.

English Conversation Groups are for women who wish to practice and improve their spoken English with the assistance of a volunteer leader. Learn More »

Discussion Groups.

Discussion Groups meet twice a month in the homes of members to discuss different topics or films. Meetings are educational and usually last about 2 hours. Learn More »

Reading Groups.

Reading Groups are focused on reading magazines, books, newspapers and online articles from local websites. Learn More »

Special Interest Groups.

Special Interest Groups offer a wide range of activity groups focused on a specific interest. These are categorized in the following main groups: Food, Arts and Crafts, Exercise/Fitness and excursions. Learn More »

Tea Groups.

Tea Groups are friendly, informal social gatherings of 10-20 Hostesses and Guests. They meet at least once a month in the homes of hostesses for conversation, refreshments and friendship. Learn More »

Our History

In 1958, Esther Dunham learned from a friend at the University of Michigan International Center that an increasing number of foreign graduate students were arriving in Ann Arbor with their families. The wives and children often faced difficult adjustments and loneliness. Mrs. Dunham and her neighbors responded, offering hospitality with a series of informal gatherings of neighborhood groups, more or less, on a monthly basis. English Conversation Groups and a newsletter were added.

Learn More