Your friend might have a good driving record in his/her home country.
Previous driving record in your home country is important piece of information. It will indicate whether you have any issues in your driving history such as a DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), or unpaid tickets/citations.
Your prior driving record is the best indicator you have of the type of driver you are. It will heavily influence your cost of insurance based on the amount of risk the insurance company takes on by insuring you.
To know more about auto insurance for international students, check this article and get a full picture of how to get the best auto insurance.
The information in this answer is general in nature and is not legal or insurance advice for your specific situation. Policy language varies carrier by carrier; your declarations page is the final word. If you're unsure, call your agent before you need to file.