This growing constituency has led several Christian organizations on campus to form subgroups specifically targeting those students.
These groups have created mixed feelings among international students, as well as with the Office of Religious Life.
George Eapen, a senior majoring in business administration, is a leader of one such group: All Nations International Christian Ministry, an offshoot of the InterVarsity Trojan Christian Fellowship.
"At USC, I think we have the second largest international student body in the U.S.," he said.
"There is a need to make international students feel welcome," Eapen said.
"Our main goal is to create a 'home away from home' for them," he said.
International students have special needs because of their diverse backgrounds, and sometimes students tend to feel alienated in a new culture, Eapen said.
Eapen, an international student himself, was involved with the creation of the All Nations Ministry from its initiation one and a half years ago.
The group meets every Friday and conducts two separate Christian studies.
One study is for traditional Christians and the other study is for what Eapen calls "seekers" — students who are unsure of their faith and are willing to learn about other faiths.
The separate study for "seekers" includes an interactive approach to Christianity, where students can talk about spirituality in an international aspect.
The students also just hang out together afterward, going bowling or eating food, Eapen said
The "seekers" keep coming back to the group, he said.
There have been two to three conversions in the past few years, both by students of undeclared faith, Eapen said.
The group makes it clear that there will be Christian dialogue held at the meetings, so people know what to expect when they come, Eapen said.
"People keep coming back. Not just for a place to hang out, but to learn about the Christian faith, and it is a 'home away from home' for them," he said.
Rabbi Susan Laemmle, dean of Religious Life, said she has special empathy for international students because she has lived abroad.
"I applaud the increased attention to these students' spiritual and religious needs," she said.
According to Office of Religious Life policy, international religious subgroups such as the All Nations Ministry are required to register as distinct organizations each with its own religious director.
These groups must also make clear in all publicity that they are connected to the parent group.
This policy was created through a special task force of religious directors.
In general, religious groups are encouraged to integrate international students into their overall communities, rather than isolating them in separate settings, except when language differences require a specialized setting so that international students will feel comfortable.
Worldwide Friends is another Christian group on campus that focuses primarily on international students.
Michael Grammer, the president of the organization, is a fifth-year graduate student studying neuroscience.
"(Worldwide Friends is) really trying to meet the special needs of international students have when they land here in L.A.," he said.
Students involved with Worldwide Friends get together and play sports, eat dinner and sing songs.
The group often hosts theme nights, during which the students get to experience different aspects of another culture, such as that of India or Iran, Grammer said.
"At our meetings, we're specific and open about Christianity. Our motivation is the love we've experienced through Jesus Christ," Grammer said.
"We stress that people of any faith and no faith are encouraged to come."
Bei Zhang, a first-year graduate student in journalism who is from China, said that within the first few months of arriving at USC, Dicksie Mathison, one of the group's adult advisers, invited her to her home.
"They were very nice and invited us to a welcome dinner with an American family. She and her husband Dan are very active in the organization and contribute a lot," Zhang said.
"We'd like to know more about the country and people. I think it's a good idea to communicate with more people here."
Zhang said that she realizes Worldwide Friends' motives might be religious, but she does not mind.
Zhang said that she goes for the cultural experience and enjoys going to meetings.
The Mathisons are nice and do not push religion, she said.
"To be honest, me and my friend go to Dan and Dicksie's house because we like to communicate with more American people," Zhang said.
"That's our primary goal. We don't care much about religion," he said.
"Some people tell us they are trying to convert us," Zhang said.
"They do have their own ideology, but I don't think they impose it. We have fun," she added.
Afshin Masoudrad, a second year graduate student in engineering management, also has participated in Worldwide Friends events in the past.
Masoudrad, a native of Iran and a Muslim, said that he goes to Worldwide Friends events because they are very receiving and welcome and they "try to find out different things about each other."
"For me, it's a good opportunity to learn about religions," Masoudrad said.
"There's no pressure to accept their beliefs."
Masoudrad said that some of his friends did not have a great experience, however.
His friends had told him that someone from Worldwide Friends had come to their homes with a Bible and they had definitely felt an imposition of beliefs.
"It wasn't a good experience for them," she said.
"I don't know the real situation, though. I had introduced them to Worldwide Friends. After that, they even asked to drop their name from the listserv," Masoudrad said.
Masoudrad said he enjoys his time with the group, however.
"All religions have much, much more in common than things that are different," he said.
"I seek to apply those religious things, like how do you feel and how do you handle your friends," he said.
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