黑料网鈥檚 Office of International Student Affairs is urging all students interested in different cultures to expand their worldview and create new friends in the community-building Conversation Partners program.
The Conversation Partners Program at Kent State is a voluntary program that pairs international students with students from the United States, according to the Office of International Student Affairs. Once paired, the meetings between partners can take place virtually or in person. The paired students meet once a week for one hour to discuss their different cultures.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for both domestic and international students to open themselves up to new perspectives and experiences,鈥 said Ash Mierau, interim director of the Office of International Student Affairs. 鈥淲e value these kinds of experiences and highly encourage intercultural relationships since they are so important to our community.鈥
This program has been available since 2014 and has been thriving. The matches last for a full academic year and participants are encouraged to stay in contact beyond their time together.
In order to support this program, the Office of International Student Affairs created Global Conversation Hour. While students only have to meet once a week for an hour, Global Conversation Hour is held every other Tuesday, providing a fun and easy way to meet that expectation.
Games, conversation starters, drinks and snacks are available for participants. This also allows students to meet other people from around the world that are in the programs, beyond just their partners.
Global Conversation Hour is also open to anyone interested in participating in intercultural conversation and community.
鈥淥ur commitment to this program shows international students that the Kent State community is here for them,鈥 said Mierau. 鈥淲e always say 鈥楩lashes Take Care of Flashes,鈥 but it's true.鈥
The benefits of becoming a conversation partner include broadening one鈥檚 worldview, learning about a different culture and making a new friend in the process.
The applications for both and students are open and available for the 2022-2023 school year.
For more information about Conversation Partners, please visit /international/conversation.
For more information about the Office of International Student Affairs, please visit /international.