International Affairs collaborates with the Mills International Center and the Friendship Foundation for International Students to offer a variety of programs to help international students make friends and gain cultural and academic experience while at the University of Oregon.

Mills International Center

The Mills International Center offers programs and resources including cultural events, weekly international coffee hour, movie nights, and programs that promote relationship building. The Mills International Center is located on the Mezzanine level in the Erb Memorial Union (EMU) at the heart of the University of Oregon campus (E. 13th Avenue and University Street.) For more information, call 541-346-0887.

Conversation Friends

Conversation Friends is a one-on-one English conversation program which matches international students with UO student and community volunteers for weekly conversation. Conversation Friends meet on a regular basis. This program is available to new international students, spouses and visiting scholars.

International Student Request for a Conversation Friend

Volunteer Application

Community/International Friends

The Community/International Friend program matches students with individuals and families in the community to share and learn about each other’s cultures. This is a flexible program which encourages students and volunteers to get together periodically throughout the academic year. Typical get-together ideas include holiday meals, day trip to the coast or mountains, family night, Saturday market, local events and more. This program is available to new international students, spouses and visiting scholars.

International Student Request for a Community/International Friend

Volunteer Application

International Women's Group

This community group meets weekly at the Berean Baptist Church, 1210 Chambers Street in Eugene. This group is free and open to international women and children. The group provides English conversation, cooking demonstrations, crafts, field trips and sharing of one another’s cultures. For more information, call 541-726-1410.

Conversation and Tea

This group meets on Thursday afternoons at Spencer View Community Room, UO Spencer View Housing in Eugene. For more information, call 541-686-1675.

Yamada Language Center

Yamada Language Center has a foreign language exchange database which is set up to allow students to contact each other, to mentor, learn, and practice foreign languages, including English.
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