Conversation Pardner Program

Program Description

The Conversation PARDner Program (CPP) is a peer program that promotes intercultural competence through virtual conversations on Zoom. The CPP pairs upper-level domestic students with incoming international students. Each pair schedules conversations via Zoom or another video-type social media, 1 hour per week, for 6 weeks in the summer. Participants are encouraged to practice language-learning activities provided by the English for Academic Purpose Center and reinforce topics included in the bi-weekly summer e-newsletter sent to all incoming international students through the Office of International Student Advising. CPs will continue to engage the international participants during the International Orientation and lead the Group Chat sessions during the fall semester.

Program Objectives and Goals

By the end of the program, the CPs will:

Develop an awareness of cultural differences
Develop intercultural competence in the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures
Obtain knowledge in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

By the end of the program, the non-native English speaking students will:

Improve speaking skills in terms of fluency and speech comprehensibility
Improve listening comprehension skills
Gain confidence in communicating in English
Develop intercultural competence in the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures

Hear why students decided to join the CPP

Apply to become a Conversation Pardner

Apply to become a Conversation Pardner

If you are interested in working virtually with a few first-year students over the summer and in person during the fall, please read through the application for more information about this role’s responsibilities and requirements. Submissions must be in by Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5pm.

Application form: https://lafayettec.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3QtoI62BEcVj8XQ

We will also hold a virtual info session on Friday, February 2, at 12:15 pm to answer any of the questions that you might have regarding the Conversation PARDner Program. You can use this link to register for the virtual info session.

Group Chat Sessions in Fall

The FA2025 group chats are held in Jenks Hall 100 from 1 to 2 pm on Saturdays listed below.

International Student Handbook

2026 Conversation PARDner Program Student Handbook

Internatoinal Student Application

Click here to apply for the 2026 Conversation PARDner Program. The application deadline is Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

Our CP Team

	Katherine Jaimes ‘2027 Major: International Affairs Hobbies: Dancing Salsa/Bachata and other Hispanic and Cultural Dances, playing volleyball, listening to music, and spending time with friends Campus involvement: International Students Association, Hispanic Society of Lafayette, ACA, Salsa Club, Spanish Speakers, and Mckelvy Scholar
	Dexter Kennedy ‘2026 Major: Psychology and Art History Hobbies: Singing, tennis, video games, bingining shows, and watching the arts! Campus involvement: International Students Association, The Chorduroys (a capella), Waves for Equality, Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)
	Regan Thompson ‘2027 Major: Integrative Engineering: Biology Focus Hobbies: Theatre, baking, hanging out with friends, and listening to music Campus Involvement: International Students Associations, Marquis Players, Salsa Club, Asian Cultural Association
	Kwame Otoo Appiah ‘2027 Major: Neuroscience Hobbies: Coding, Piano (ish), Media/App design, Crocheting (I made a square once?), Origami Campus involvement: Soulfege, Marquis Scholars and Fellows, Brothers of Lafayette
	Anica Kim ‘2027 Major: Biochemistry Hobbies: Dancing, marathoning movies, listening to music Campus involvement: Equestrian Team, Taekwondo Club, Boxing Club, Asian Cultural Association

Contacts

All questions about the program are welcome. Please feel free to contact the program coordinators: Tingting Kang, Director of EAP Center at kangt@lafayette.edu/610.330.3187 or Janine Block, Associate Director of Intercultural Development at blockj@lafayette.edu/610.330.5546.