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Campus Activities
Throughout the course of the year, the Office of International Student Activities offers a broad range of activities for WIU's international community. Below is a list of some of the regularly scheduled events and information on how to participate:
Conversation Partners
Conversation Partners is a program where international students are paired with U.S. WIU students for conversational purposes. Conversation Partners are expected to commit to meeting at least once a week for the duration of the semester. Conversation Partners represents a wonderful cross-cultural sharing opportunity with mutual benefits for both the US and international students. To apply to be a Conversation Partner, please click on the appropriate link below. Please note, WESL students must be in the University Preparation (UP) level to participate.
Conversation Partner application for international students
Conversation Partner application for U.S. students
Cultural Cafe
This event shines a spotlight on the different that countries WIU students come from. Three times each semester, a student gives a presentation on or about their country over a weekday lunch hour.
Authentic cuisine from the country being presented is served to all those in attendance, as well. Cultural Cafes are a great opportunity for international students to share information on their home country’s culture and a great chance for the campus community to learn about different countries and cuisines of the world.
Cultural Cafe presenters are not limited strictly to international students, though. Anyone with an expertise on a country or culture other than the US is welcome to present. If you would like to be a Cultural Café presenter, please contact CIS-Activities@wiu.edu
Coffee, Culture and Conversation
Do you have an interest in international affairs and learning about different countries and cultural practices? Do you like talking with people from different backgrounds?
Then Coffee, Culture, and Conversation events are for you! The events are social in nature, and participants will participate in intercultural discussions based on select cultural topics, using guided conversational questions. These events are a chance to meet new people, learn about many different cultures of the world, and share information about you culture with others.
Coffee, tea, and other light refreshments will be served free of charge. Participants can stay for as much time as they’d like during the event. These events are free and open to the campus and community.
When: Every other Thursday from 2:30 – 4 pm
Where: Union's Sandburg Lounge
What: The topics for the different meetings are:
February 23: Dating, courtship, and marriage
March 8: Traveling Tales
March 22: St. Patrick's Day and other Minor and Major Holidays
April 5: Perceptions of Personal Health Around the World
April 19: The Season, the Environment, and the Culture
May 3: Popular Sporting Activities
Coffee, Culture and Conversation is sponsored by the Center for International Studies. If you have any questions or comments, please call at 298-2485 or email at CIS-Activities@wiu.edu
New International Student Orientation Volunteers
The week before every semester begins, a New International Student Orientation is held. The orientation is a series of events designed to get new international students acclimated to the campus and community. Volunteers are needed to accompany new students with the many questions and tasks they have when new to campus. Orientation volunteers provide a great service to the campus and community, as well as they get to participate in the many fun orientation activities. Volunteering for orientation is a great chance to meet people from all around the world.
International Student Organizations
We are interested in what our international students have to say about the programming offered to them. The International Student Activities Committee is a group that does just that. The committee is instrumental in planning meaningful, enjoyable, and valuable experiences for the WIU international community. New members of the committee are welcome at any time!
Cultural Excursions
The Office of International Student Activities regularly plans trips for international students to get out and experience U.S. culture. Trips in the past have included St. Louis, Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria. Trips are only available to currently enrolled students, so check your email for announcements regarding these fun trips.
Other activities
The programs listed above are just a few of the many things offered to the WIU international community. We are always interested in planning and hosting new worthwhile events. If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to contact the International Student Activities office at CIS-Activities@wiu.edu or(309)298-2485.
