Conversation Partners

The Conversation Partners Program at Kent State University is a voluntary program that pairs international students with students from the United States (i.e. domestic students/American students). Once an international student and domestic 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, 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. There will be regularly scheduled opportunities, Global Conversation Hour (information below) for everyone involved in this program to meet in group settings as well. 

There are many benefits for both international students and domestic 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 multicultural focus
• Make new friends from a different country
• Expand your worldview
• Develop multicultural competence

Expectations of Being a Conversation Partner

• The commitment is for the full academic year (Fall semester through conclusion of the Spring semester; exceptions include if you are graduating or returning to your home country in December)
• Meet with your partner (virtually or in-person) for a minimum of one (1) hour each week
• Provide feedback about your experiences in the program via periodic surveys throughout the academic year

Interested in joining? 

• We are no longer accepting sign-ups for this academic year. Please check back in Fall 2023 to sign up for academic year 2023-2024. 

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

Global Conversation Hour

Every other week we host an opportunity for international and American students and scholars to join together for an evening of coffee, tea, cookies, games, and conversation. While people in the Conversation Partners program are encouraged to attend, these events are open to all students. These events are held from 7-9pm in the Leadership Center (Room 220) in the Kent Student Center. 

Spring 2023 Dates

• January 24
• February 7
• February 21
• March 7
• March 21
• April 18