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Conversation Partners is a program that pairs international students with students from the United States. Once an international student and American student are paired, they meet once per week for one hour. During these meetings, partners share information about their culture, home country/state/city, education, interests/hobbies, and more! The meetings between Conversation Partners can take place virtually or in-person. This program is very flexible because you are free to choose how you would like to meet and when you would like to meet as long as it is for one hour each week. Conversation Partners are encouraged to attend events put on by Intercultural Student Life together. 

There are many benefits for both international students and American students in joining the Conversation Partners program! Check out a handful of the exciting benefits students will see as a result of participating in the program listed below!

Benefits of becoming a Conversation Partner:

International Students: 

• Improve English language speaking abilities
• Learn about the American culture and American university culture
• Make new friends
• Share your culture/background
• Expand your worldview
• Reduce homesickness
• Adjust to life at an American university
• Discover resources, events, and ways to get involved on and off campus 

American Students:

• Improve language speaking abilities for a language you are learning/interested in learning
• Learn about a new culture
• Attend exciting events with a global focus
• Make new friends from a different country
• Expand your worldview
• Develop intercultural competence skills

Expectations of Being a Conversation Partner:

• The commitment is for one semester (10 weeks/meetings)
• Meet with your partner (virtually or in-person) for a minimum of one (1) hour each week
• Complete a survey at the start and end of the program 

Interested in joining?

Sign up now to be apart of Conversation Partners for Fall 2024 semester! The opportunity to sign up will close on Monday, September 2. You will be matched with your partner by Friday, September 6. 

If you have any further questions about the Conversation Partners program, or have any difficulties with the application form on this website, please direct your inquires to  isl@kent.edu. 

This program is put on in collaboration between the Office of Intercultural Student Life and the Center for English as a Second Language.