Cultural Events & Community Engagement
The Office of International Engagement (OIE) hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the semester. These activities are aimed at promoting cross cultural interactions and provide international and domestic students with the opportunity to network, practice English, learn about other cultures, immerse themselves in Midwest culture and just have fun!
We coordinate programs, activities, regional trips, local visits and more for our students. Activities range in variety depending on the time of year and interest from our international community. Seasonal festivities, international holidays, U.S. experiences, trips around the Midwest and FUN are at the heart of all of our programming.
International Coffee Hour
Fridays | 4 - 5 p.m.
Location varies
International Coffee Hour is a timeless tradition at OIE. Each event is filled with conversation, connection and FUN!
In order to expand international students network and knowledge of the campus we work with other departments to host coffee hour in other buildings. Watch for announcements on where the next coffee hour will be!
Talk Tuesdays
Tuesdays | 1 - 2 p.m.
TBD
Talk Tuesdays are hour-long sessions where students can practice their conversational English skills and expand their understanding of U.S. American culture.
Volunteers work with participants in small groups to answer questions, discuss a topic, or play a game to improve their listening and speaking skills. Volunteers help facilitate conversation, answer vocabulary or contextual questions, and provide insight to American culture.
Conversation Partners
The Conversation Partner Program pairs American students, staff and professors at UNI with students in the Cultural and Intensive English Program (CIEP). Partners meet a minimum of one hour each week throughout the academic year. During this time the student is required to speak English.
Students and their conversation partner can attend various athletic and cultural events together, make traditional food, visit local stores or watch movies together.
Applications are being accepted now.
International Family Friendship Program
The International Family Friendship Program matches international students with families in the Cedar Valley area.
This promotes relationship-building, communication and a sharing of cultural experiences. Participants meet for a minimum of one get together each month (although we encourage participants to spend as much time together as they are comfortable with).
I'm a Student and Want to be in the Family Friendship Program
I'm a Cedar Valley Resident and Want to Volunteer for the Family Friendship Program
International Education Week
Annually Mid-November
UNI and the rest of the country (and some parts of the world) dedicate a week to celebrate and recognize International Education.
We provide a week full of events, activities, panels, speakers and more to celebrate our international community on- campus, and recognize UNI's efforts to create an educational community grounded in global initiatives and methods.