programs

Intercultural Training Center

Career Services and workshops

Culture Corps

International Friendship Group Program

Small World Coffee Hour

Discussion Groups

Toward Success in the U.S.

International Student Orientation Program (ISOP)

International Student Financial Aid Program

Discussion Groups

GLBT Discussion and Support Group

Cross-cultural Discussion Groups

Welcome!

ISSS organizes cross-cultural discussion groups which often consist of both international and U.S. students. Members of these groups meet once a week to share cross-cultural experiences, personal thoughts, and feelings in a relaxed atmosphere. Examples of the topics discussed in the past are culture shock, cultural customs, friendship/relationships, communication styles, family, and future aspirations. For more than 20 years ISSS has facilitated cross-cultural discussion groups with participants from dozens of countries throughout the world.

Why Join a Cross-cultural Discussion Group?
You can…

• Make friends from all over the world
• Expand your cross-cultural understanding
• Give and receive support for difficulties you may be having
• Help each other to make your study abroad experience successful
• Develop self-awareness of your own cultural background

What past Participants Have Said About Cross-cultural Discussion Groups

• “Very exciting, fun, and joyful!”
• “I got a chance to know about people and cultures from different countries.”
• “I learned about leadership and communication skills.”
• “We supported each other with honesty and genuineness.”
• “Quite relaxing, comfortable, and warm atmosphere we created in the group. It feels like home!”
• On a scale from 1-7, most members rated the group experience as either 7 (very satisfied) or 6 (satisfied)!

Fall 2008 Semester:
Cross-cultural Discussion Groups

International and U.S. students are invited to join our new cross-cultural discussion groups for the Fall 2008 semester. Several discussion groups will be formed—each with a consistent meeting time. The groups most likely will begin last week of September and continue through Mid December. Each group will have two leaders with group facilitation experience. To join a discussion group, you must:
(1) submit to ISSS a completed application, by Friday, September 12th., 2008.
(2) complete an individual interview with an ISSS staff person.
After ISSS receives your application, you will be contacted to arrange an interview.

Click the pictures to enlarge it

A Fall 2006 Discussion Group.

Discussing ‘Families in Different Cultures’.

Discussion Groups Members Share a Meal.

Discussion Group at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Places to Eat
in the Twin Cities
(As suggested by our Fall ’05 Discussion Group)