OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT...
ISI Philly is a group of volunteers, so we don't always have the same thing every semester. Some of these options are staffed by us, some by our friends at Global Connect: U City. We partner together to service the needs of as many students as possible! Here are some ways to connect with us:
Connect to work on English...
English Conversation Groups – Practice speaking English in a safe environment, meet new friends, learn idioms and slang, and grow in your speaking confidence. Every group is facilitated by a native English speaker. Groups meet at various times/locations throughout each semester. See the Global Connect: U City Website for dates, times and places (usually on Penn's campus).
English Conversation Partner – Meet regularly with a native speaker one on one to chat over coffee or tea. We connect you, and then you make your own appointments.
Connect cross-culturally...
American Culture Discussion Groups – Discuss American culture and how it compares to your home culture and the culture of others in the group. This group will help you to adapt better to your time in the USA, as well as increase your cross-cultural understanding and skills. Groups are led by American-born facilitators. Groups meet at various times/locations throughout each semester.
Friendship with an American/American Family – Become connected with an American friend. Have an opportunity to be in an American home and learn about American life and families! Contact person: TIM
Connect to have fun or learn about stuff...
Activities -- Like to have fun? Want to explore this area? We have all kinds of things planned, and we're open to new ideas! Improve your English and learn more about American living. Cooking, sports games, weekend trips, etc. Last year, we had everything from a welcome party to baking nights for girls, lots of sporting events like football, baseball and basketball, a tour of Philly, celebrations of every holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter), bowling, game nights... Yep! There is a lot to do to have fun with ISI Philly! Check the tab What's happening? to see what we are up to! This year, we've got cool trips planned, parties, celebrations, and fun, fun, fun! Come and join us!
Connect to talk about faith ideas...
Bible Discovery Groups – Discover the Bible for yourself! Many people assume they know what the Bible says, but have never actually read it. Come and read it together in a discussion group. Learn how the Bible lays the foundation for many things in American culture. Learn about Christian faith “from the inside.” Groups are facilitated by a native English speaker and person of the Christian faith. The group determines their own meeting time and place.
Friday Night Connection *RESTRUCTURED!* – This group meets regularly (in English) for a simple meal at The House for All Nations (Tim and Lyn's). The FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT CONNECTION (1/15; 2/5; 3/4; 4/1; 5/6 ) are a time just to chill and have fun. FRIDAY NIGHT COMMUNITY CONNECTION is a great way to build community with international students and scholars, meeting at Tim and Lyn's House for All Nations. Are you interested in a short interactive (no lectures!) story from the Bible? A group facilitator will lead in discussing one of the seven miracles recorded in the Gospel of John. All faiths and opinions are respected, and no person dominates with his or her opinion. Find out why people are so fascinated by these stories and why they keep being retold in many different ways. In all groups, all vocabulary is explained in simple English.
At the end of a fun evening, open-ended hanging out. Meets at the House for All Nations in University City every Friday night.
How to get connected...
You must register in order to participate in a group. Please click on the registration button and fill out the form. For the English conversation, culture group, friendship or conversation partner, you may only register for ONE because we have a limited number of volunteers and many requests. Activities are open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis.
Connect to work on English...
English Conversation Groups – Practice speaking English in a safe environment, meet new friends, learn idioms and slang, and grow in your speaking confidence. Every group is facilitated by a native English speaker. Groups meet at various times/locations throughout each semester. See the Global Connect: U City Website for dates, times and places (usually on Penn's campus).
English Conversation Partner – Meet regularly with a native speaker one on one to chat over coffee or tea. We connect you, and then you make your own appointments.
Connect cross-culturally...
American Culture Discussion Groups – Discuss American culture and how it compares to your home culture and the culture of others in the group. This group will help you to adapt better to your time in the USA, as well as increase your cross-cultural understanding and skills. Groups are led by American-born facilitators. Groups meet at various times/locations throughout each semester.
Friendship with an American/American Family – Become connected with an American friend. Have an opportunity to be in an American home and learn about American life and families! Contact person: TIM
Connect to have fun or learn about stuff...
Activities -- Like to have fun? Want to explore this area? We have all kinds of things planned, and we're open to new ideas! Improve your English and learn more about American living. Cooking, sports games, weekend trips, etc. Last year, we had everything from a welcome party to baking nights for girls, lots of sporting events like football, baseball and basketball, a tour of Philly, celebrations of every holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter), bowling, game nights... Yep! There is a lot to do to have fun with ISI Philly! Check the tab What's happening? to see what we are up to! This year, we've got cool trips planned, parties, celebrations, and fun, fun, fun! Come and join us!
Connect to talk about faith ideas...
Bible Discovery Groups – Discover the Bible for yourself! Many people assume they know what the Bible says, but have never actually read it. Come and read it together in a discussion group. Learn how the Bible lays the foundation for many things in American culture. Learn about Christian faith “from the inside.” Groups are facilitated by a native English speaker and person of the Christian faith. The group determines their own meeting time and place.
Friday Night Connection *RESTRUCTURED!* – This group meets regularly (in English) for a simple meal at The House for All Nations (Tim and Lyn's). The FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT CONNECTION (1/15; 2/5; 3/4; 4/1; 5/6 ) are a time just to chill and have fun. FRIDAY NIGHT COMMUNITY CONNECTION is a great way to build community with international students and scholars, meeting at Tim and Lyn's House for All Nations. Are you interested in a short interactive (no lectures!) story from the Bible? A group facilitator will lead in discussing one of the seven miracles recorded in the Gospel of John. All faiths and opinions are respected, and no person dominates with his or her opinion. Find out why people are so fascinated by these stories and why they keep being retold in many different ways. In all groups, all vocabulary is explained in simple English.
At the end of a fun evening, open-ended hanging out. Meets at the House for All Nations in University City every Friday night.
How to get connected...
You must register in order to participate in a group. Please click on the registration button and fill out the form. For the English conversation, culture group, friendship or conversation partner, you may only register for ONE because we have a limited number of volunteers and many requests. Activities are open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis.