A 鈥渕utually beneficial cross-cultural exchange鈥� is how Adrienne Nussbaum, assistant dean and director of the Office of聽 International Students and Scholars, describes the Conversation Partners Program at 艾可直播 College.
The program, which began 10 years ago, pairs an international graduate student with an English-speaking member of the BC community. There are rewards for both, explained Nussbaum: International students are able to improve their conversational English 鈥� from understanding slang to preparing for interviews or presentations 鈥� in a comfortable setting without the fear of judgment or pressure, says Nussbaum, while their partner 鈥� typically an English-speaking American 鈥� is exposed to a new culture.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice for international students to form a relationship with someone in the BC community,鈥� said Nussbaum. 聽鈥淭his program is helping internationalize BC鈥檚 campus and helping international students to integrate.鈥�
With close to 100 pairs participating last year, said Nussbaum, the program continues to grow as BC鈥檚 international graduate student population increases.
鈥淚 have been able to see my partner regularly for two semesters so we have developed a very good friendship,鈥� said School of Theology and Ministry student Takeshi Miyauchi, who was paired with Carroll School of Management Lecturer Drew Hession-Kunz. 聽鈥淭hanks to this program, I got an excellent friend.聽
鈥淪ince this program offers me an opportunity to communicate in English in a calm environment, I can practice and enjoy a conversation in English without distractions and concerns. My partner has also helped me to understand American culture, with which I often struggle.鈥�
Said Hession-Kunz, 鈥淐arving out time is always hard. 聽Every minute of our lives is already over-committed. However, it is important to make time for important things, and this program is important in several ways: It helps a grad student who is far from home acclimate to BC, it bridges cultural walls that keep people apart, and it helps the partner by opening new vistas into the world of another human being. 聽
鈥淚n my case, I also made a great friend, which is enough reason to be in the program by itself. As a grad student, Takeshi is actively in the process of learning and growing, and is a fascinating, interesting person besides.鈥�
Like Miyauchi, Younghee Park, a graduate student in the Lynch School of Education, has found the Conversation Partners Program to be rewarding 鈥� as has the relationship with her partner, Jessica Hand, information technology and program operations manager for the Woods College of Advancing Studies Master of Healthcare Administration program.
鈥淭he best thing I got through the program was making an American friend, Jess, who can help me to know American culture better,鈥� said Park. 鈥淲e still meet regularly on our own.鈥�
While registration is closed for this semester, Nussbaum said, those who are interested in participating should check back for the winter/spring.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity,鈥� said Nussbaum. 聽鈥淎nd I encourage people to participate in the future.鈥�
鈥揝iobhan Sullivan / University Communications