Getting Involved
Small World Program
Conversation partners are American and international students interested in meeting to practice English and to broaden their horizons by learning more about each other. This program is a bridge between cultures, and quite often, long lasting friendships develop between conversation partners. Just what does a conversation partner do? An American student and an international student are paired together according to shared interests. The two then meet regularly to practice English-speaking skills and to share about each other’s culture. The benefits of the experience can be great!
- The international student is given the opportunity to meet an American student on a more personal level.
- The international student is given the chance to SPEAK ENGLISH and to hear English as it is spoken every day, including slang, idioms, etc.
- Learning about American culture is another benefit enjoyed by international participants.
- American students benefit by learning about another culture and becoming a friend to the international student.
- Participants develop a different perspective of their own country as well as other countries.
Becoming a conversation partner is easy!
- Complete an application form and return it to the IPS Office. To download the form, click here:
- Based on the information given on your application, you will be paired with a Partner.
- You will receive an e-mail with your partner's name and phone number and a brief description of some of his/her hobbies, activities, and interests. Usually, we ask the American partner to make the initial contact to set up the first face-to-face meeting.
Please be patient! It may take a couple of weeks for the office to match you with a Conversation Partner, depending on how many people apply for the program at any given time.