Our HISTORY

The concept of Global Friends Omaha began 30 years ago as a “mom and pop” organization. In 1979 after Russia invaded Afghanistan, Afghans began to flee the country, some ended up in Omaha. When Afghan refugees and international students started coming to Omaha, Julie's father began to show hospitality. One day in a coffee shop, he met a dark-haired gentleman and invited him for dinner. It turned out that this gentleman was the advisor to the King of Afghanistan and the Governor of the capital, Kabul. Years later, Julie spent time in Pakistan teaching English to Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban. Upon her return to Omaha 10 years ago, she launched Global Friends!

Our Mission

Global Friends is a community organization that exists to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the international student community in Omaha. Global Friends seeks to promote cross-cultural friendships and understanding by providing meeting places and activities in multicultural settings between Americans and International students and scholars. 

Past fun events