Karishma Carvalho, first-year computer science graduate student, said she was halfway through a 15-hour flight from India when she found out she no longer had a place to live in DeKalb.

The largest number of international students at NIU, so far a population of 500, come from India, so when Carvalho contacted the Indian Students Association in order to find a place to stay, she had no problem getting a response.

“I contacted [the Indian Students Association] and a bunch of them got back to me,” Carvalho said. “They found me a place to stay within six hours or so. It was mind blowing.”

Carvalho said the warmth and family-like atmosphere of the association encouraged her to reciprocate the kindness, so she began working for the publicity department of the about 800-member association.

The Indian Students Association facilitates services like transportation upon initial arrival, preparation for changes in weather, living arrangements, how to sign up for classes and where to get books, among other things, said Sagar Sudhakar, creative head for the Indian Students Association.

Through the organization, a ride from the airport to DeKalb costs about $30 because the student pays only for the cost of gas since a member will volunteer their time instead of asking for compensation, Sudhakar said.

The Network of Nations, a non-profit organization that links international students and other personnel with each other, supports the Indian Students Association by lending equipment like cars and furniture sets with a deposit, Sudhakar said.

Sudhakar said he arranged the pick-up and living arrangements, when needed, of 90 students coming from India this semester and anticipates he will be facilitating the transportation and stay of at least 200 students coming from India next semester.

“I think [the Indian Students Association] primarily provides services to make up for the absences in accommodations from [NIU] itself,” Sadhakar said.

The work done in the Indian Students Association is through volunteering and the association has developed an active 30-member team with leading departments like publicity, events, cultural, logistics, marketing and sports, Sudhakar said.

Sudhakar said the association is working its way into various organizations on campus by getting more members involved in different ways through the Student Association or collaborating with other Asian-based organizations on campus.

The association is also planning on reaching out through TEDx talks on campus, networking with other local colleges and continuing to reach out to students by word of mouth, going door to door to communicate ideas and with social media.