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Office of International Students at EMU offers the Conversation Partner Program that will match up international students with American students. The goal of the Conversation Partner Program is to promote meaningful interactions between international students and American students, and to give opportunity for both parties to practice their language of study and learn more about another culture.
We expect that conversation partners will meet at least one time per week at a mutually convenient time and location. As you develop a friendship and decide that you would like to meet more than that, you are welcome to do so. Our program is unstructured so that conversation partners can plan to do things that interest them the most- for example having coffee together, go out to eat, play a sport, or go shopping together. The OIS will also offer monthly parties for Conversation Partners so that you can meet other pairs and enjoy activities with all participants. Since a main goal for the program is for international students to improve their English, we do want you to purposely use at least half of your time using conversational English.
The OIS wants this experience to be beneficial for both the American student and the international student. To best match students, we will look at gender and language preferences, common interests, and fields of study. Although your partner may have some similar interests, it is our hope that you can teach each other something new based on your unique qualities and backgrounds. Since this is a voluntary program, we cannot guarantee your international partner speaks your language of interest.
The Conversation Partner Program is offered every fall and winter term. If you are interested in participating, please complete the application below and submit it to the Office of International Students, 244 Student Center, ois@emich.edu, by January 7, 2013. After you submit an application, we will partner you with someone and you will be able to meet for the first time at a reception on January 11, 5 to 7 p.m. at Student Center, Room 310. If you are unable to meet your partner at the reception, you will need to contact your partner and arrange another time to first meet.
Late applications will be considered for the next semester.
If you are an international student, click here for the application
If you are an American student, click here for the application.
For more information, please contact: Julia Wells International Student Advisor 244 Student Center jwells24@emich.edu (734)-487-3116
“...I have wonderful friends that I wouldn't trade for anything - they are some of the coolest, most amazing people I know. I would take three conversation partners at once if I could!”
“I had and I still have great time with Eliot, my English partner… My English has been improving since I used this program.”
“Having a conversation partner has really opened my eyes not only to another country, but also to my own.”
