The Conversation partner program connects a Hospitality Center volunteer and an international student who meet together weekly for a semester. The first goal is the improvement of the international student's verbal English. Internationals feel a deep need to learn English well. Their academic success depends on their ability to read, write, understand English and speak well.
After getting a good education, improving their English, is what most internationals desire followed by making one close American friend. Conversation partners can be of help to students who want to gain confidence in their verbal English skills, and can offer deep and lasting friendships and opportunities to talk about deeper life issues.
Of course, international students aren't the only ones who benefit; volunteers also grow in their cross-cultural understanding. One gets to see the world...through the eyes of a different culture and form a friendship with an international student.
After getting a good education, improving their English, is what most internationals desire followed by making one close American friend. Conversation partners can be of help to students who want to gain confidence in their verbal English skills, and can offer deep and lasting friendships and opportunities to talk about deeper life issues.
Of course, international students aren't the only ones who benefit; volunteers also grow in their cross-cultural understanding. One gets to see the world...through the eyes of a different culture and form a friendship with an international student.
We will be offering two sessions beginning mid-January 2021. Tuesday evenings at our St. Paul location and Thursday evenings at our Minneapolis location. We hope to have 1 volunteer for every 1-2 students.
You can sign up here to be a conversation partner volunteer.
You can sign up here to be a conversation partner volunteer.