Conversation Partners Program
Are you interested in learning about other cultures, making new friends or practicing your language skills? The Conversation Partners Program is a fun opportunity for International & English Language Program students and UW community members to connect for cultural exchange and language practice!
Through this informal quarter-long program, you'll be matched with one or more partners for weekly meetups and conversation practice. You can meet virtually or in person, and you'll be invited to a quarterly meetup activity.
When applying, you can indicate your preferences for your desired match, including gender, languages spoken, and hobbies and interests. For example, if you're a UW student studying Japanese, you can indicate a preference to be matched with an IELP student from Japan.
Our team makes every effort to accommodate your preferences, but we can't make guarantees.
What You'll Do
- Meet weekly with your conversation partner(s)
- Attend a quarterly meetup activity
- Receive resources such as icebreaker questions and suggested conversation topics
- Have fun and make new friends!
Who Should Participate
This program is intended for IELP students and UW community members interested in learning about other cultures, improving language proficiency and developing stronger connections at the UW.
All current IELP students are eligible to apply, as well as current UW students, faculty, staff and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participants. Be sure to indicate if you're an IELP student or UW community member when completing the application form.
The program lasts for one quarter, but you may continue to meet and communicate for as long as you and your partner want.
Application Process
Fill out and submit the application form below.
Please be sure to indicate if you're an IELP student or a UW community member when completing the application form.
What Happens Next
The IELP office reviews applications and notifies participants of their assigned conversation partner(s) within three weeks of the start of the quarter. We currently match students in autumn and spring quarters, but we'll try our best to accommodate applications received at other times in the year.
Once you're matched, conversation partners will be asked to sign a participant agreement outlining the program rules. We'll also send you helpful resources such as icebreaker ideas, sample conversation topics and suggested meeting spaces.
Contact the IELP office if you encounter any problems or concerns or would like to end or change your match. The program lasts for one quarter, but you may continue to meet and communicate if you'd like.