Programs

The Center for International Services hosts student programs to help make the most of your student experience. You have the chance to connect with fellow students through our various programs, build intercultural understanding and celebrate the richly diverse student body at Syracuse University.

The English Conversation Group program promotes friendship and understanding between our English-speaking Group Facilitators and international students, scholars and spouses. It provides participants an opportunity to practice and improve their English language skills through informal conversations. This program was founded in 1987 by our beloved Riet Dekleermaeker.

Conversation groups usually consist of four to five international students and an English-speaking Group Facilitator. Groups meet for approximately one hour once a week.

Fall 2024 Sessions

During Fall 2024, we will be offering English Conversation Groups in person. 

  • Sessions will run Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Each session will take 1 hour

    Interested in joining an English Conversation Group for Fall 2024? Complete the registration form, and we will contact you.

    Be a Group Facilitator!

    Our English Conversation Group Facilitators are volunteer students, staff or faculty at Syracuse University who are fluent in English and lead a weekly group of students. Facilitators focus on making all students in their group feel welcome and assist with guiding questions and discussion topics. Facilitators help to make sure everyone in their group has equal speaking time.

    Interested in being a Group Facilitator? Complete the Fall 2024 registration form, we will contact you.

    Benefits of Being a Facilitator: 

    • Make great connections with international students.
    • Gain leadership and facilitation skills.
    • Highlight the position on your resumé, and you can use us as a reference.
    • May be able to use this role to fulfill service requirements from another organization, such as the Honors Program.

    Mix It Up is an initiative to further inclusion and intercultural understanding at Syracuse University.

    This event is committed to embracing all groups in the student body, providing them with a welcome and comfortable space for dialogue and creating opportunities for students to engage with others on various topics in a small group setting.

    Discussions explore identity, intercultural communication and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of fellow students.

    We offer participants a free meal and space for great conversation.

    Fall 2024 Schedule:

    Place:

    • Center for International Services - 310 Walnut Place

    Time:

    • From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

    Fall 2024 Dates: 

    • September 6th
    • September 20th
    • October 4th
    • October 18th
    • November 1st

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    Be a Facilitator!

    Our Mix It Up Facilitators are volunteer Syracuse University students, staff or faculty that lead the discussion component with a small group of students. Facilitators focus on making all students in their group feel welcome, enjoy the meal together and assist with asking discussion questions. Facilitators help to make sure everyone in their group has equal speaking time.

    Interested in being a Facilitator? Complete the Mix It Up Facilitator Registration Form.

    Benefits of Being a Facilitator:

    • Make great connections with other students.
    • Gain leadership and facilitation skills.
    • Highlight the position on your resumé, and you can use us as a reference.
    • May be able to use this role to fulfill service requirements from another organization.
    • Enjoy a free meal and great atmosphere!

    Upstate New York is a place rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Intro to Upstate New York is a travel program that leads our international students through many wonderful places in Upstate New York and beyond the University campus.

    2024-2025 Programs:

    Details to follow shortly. Past programs have included trips to:

    • Shopping Trips
    • Corning Glass Museum and Cornell University
    • Rochester Museums
    • Auburn and Skaneateles Lake

    Please keep checking this page for the trips itinerary and other short trips such as the Syracuse Regional Farmer's Market, Downtown Syracuse, and other places of interest in Syracuse and throughout Upstate New York.

    Connections program is open to all first-year (freshmen, transfer, exchange) and second-year undergraduate international students. It connects international students to the Syracuse University campus and local community. The program offers special access to events for its participants, such as trips around Syracuse, game nights, pumpkin carving, bubble tea socials, cultural celebrations, free individual tutoring through CLASS and much more!

    College 101 is open to all undergraduate students. The program is designed to help international students adapt to their life at Syracuse University and the USA. Throughout the academic year there will be a series of engaging activities that help international students with their daily life. Topics covered will include health insurance, banking, public transportation, housing, and so much more!

    This annual Syracuse University event is a beloved tradition among international students. The celebration is an opportunity to share North American Thanksgiving food and traditions with people from around the world. This event dates back to 1982 in Hendricks Chapel and was founded by Dr. T.E. Koshy. It has been held at Syracuse University every November since, except for 2010-2012, and brought back by Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Chen in 2013.

    The 40th International Thanksgiving Celebration will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024.  International students will receive more information in the Fall 2024 semester.

    Past Event Coverage:

    Past Event Photos:

    Navigate to the Syracuse University Collage Website, type “Thanksgiving” in the search, and view event photos from 2010 and 2016-2019!

    The International Festival Celebration is the Center for International Services tradition in a large-scale showcase of cultural traditions and talents from our student body. This event is a cross-collaboration among numerous student organizations celebrating cultural enrichment in the Syracuse community. Check out The SU Globalists for an article on the first International Festival held in November 2019.

    The Center for International Services provides participating student organizations with a budget and resources to host a variety of traditional food and activities at the International Festival each year.

    2023 International Festival

     

    We invite all international students from the Class of 2024 to join us for a celebration at the Center for International Services, 310 Walnut Place, on May 12 from noon to 3:00pm.

    Please fill out the Registration Form

    Phi Beta Delta Alpha Sigma Chapter Syracuse University is the first honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education and intercultural engagement in the community. This honor society recognizes undergraduate (must have a 3.4 GPA) and graduate students (must have a 3.7 GPA), including students who study abroad, as well as faculty and staff involved in international research or commitment. Executive board members from Phi Beta Delta Alpha Sigma Chapter Syracuse University select nominees for recognition based on their academic performance and/or commitment to internationalization on campus.

    We are seeking nominations and accepting applications for membership from individuals on campus who contribute to international awareness and engagement.  The Application Form will be available in Spring 2023

    Questions? Email the Center for International Services.

    Learn more information about the International Phi Beta Delta Honor Society and its chapters around the world.