One-on-One Conversations matches international students, scholars and their spouses/partners at Yale with volunteers from the New Haven and Yale communities for language and culture exchange. The time commitment is minimal and for the participants of this program the possible benefits include:

• Sharing your country and culture with others

• Expanding your understanding of people, the world and cross-cultural communication

• (for non-native English speakers) Improving your English through informal conversation practice

• Learning or practicing teaching skills

• Offering friendship across cultures

Here are some comments on the joys and benefits of participation:

“This is an amazing program. I promise you will learn a lot and benefit a lot from this program and you will never forget it!”

“I got much more than a partner; I made a delightful friend. Our conversations are the highlight of each week!”

“Thank you for giving me this unique experience of helping an international student better understand American culture.”

“It raised my cultural awareness and made my communication skills more effective.”

“It’s an excellent opportunity. America is becoming increasingly diverse and many people can benefit from making friends across cultures.”

Meetings are scheduled for one hour per week at any mutually agreed upon on or off campus location. Minimum commitment is four weeks, with the aim to continue for at least one semester (12 weeks). The topic and format of the meetings is up to the participants. Most often, participants engage in informal conversation; however guidelines and suggestions for topics if desired are available through the OISS. Meetings are usually conducted in English and no knowledge of a second language is required or even necessary.

For more information email oiss@yale.edu.

If you are an international student, scholar or their spouses/partners at Yale, and ready to sign up for One-on-One Conversations: go to this web page.

If you are a community volunteer, and ready to sign up for One-on-One Conversations: go to this web page.