1. Virginia Tech: Conversation Partners Hana Alqassab

2. Mission Statement “Conversation Partners is a VT-ENGAGE volunteer program bringing the Virginia Tech student community together with international students enrolled in English classes at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute (VTLCI). The program encourages fellowship and open communication to improve awareness and understanding across cultures. Participants are linked with several international students and meet within their groups one to two hours per week.”

3. What? VT-ENGAGE volunteer program Associated with Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute

4. Why? Dedicated to bringing VT students together with international students Our campus isn’t as diverse as it should be, so it’s important for VT students to learn about what’s cultures beyond their own Direct contact with those with different backgrounds is good and will teach us a lot

5. Role in the Community It serves international students enrolled in English classes at the VT Language and Culture Institute This program helps VT students become aware of the international students around them Sometimes it’s hard for American students to understand people of different backgrounds, therefore this program will allow them to understand the world beyond the U.S.

6. Reflection I work with this program because it helps me make connections with people from other countries I love to learn about different cultures and volunteering for this program will help me do that It’s a great program because students do it voluntarily

7. Reflection My conversation partner is named Amal & I meet with her for about 1-2 hours a week She is from Saudi Arabia and takes classes through the VTLCI She wants to apply to Virginia Tech and earn a bachelor’s degree We have many differences in our cultures, yet so many similarities

8. Reflection The international students benefit a lot from this program because: They get one-on-one interaction with students who speak English fluently It will help them with their future in this country, or even outside of this country They’ll be more confident with their English They’ll be more involved with the community

9. Reflection I also volunteer with this program because I couldn’t imagine moving to a new country where I couldn’t speak the official language This program allows international students to be more comfortable speaking in a foreign language as they adjust to American culture The community benefits because we all become connected, despite our differences