Welcome to Upstate International

Connecting Cultures, Empowering Growth in America's Fastest-Rising City

March 22, 2025

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

March 23, 2025

Every 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950. It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.

Join the U&I Community!

Find your way to Celebrate International Diversity

Dive into our programs and stay updated with our newsletter! Meet new friends or colleagues at an upcoming event or learn a new language in The Monique and Bill Glass School of International Languages. We are working to building a thriving community full of international flair in our local Upstate community!

Working as Community for a Thriving Upstate

The Heart of Global Engagement in the Upstate

Upstate International (UI) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters dynamic global engagement by connecting people, resources, and ideas. 

Promoting Global Identity

& Sustaining International Engagement

Dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of global affairs and cultures, and supported by individuals and businesses, Upstate International engages globally-minded South Carolinians directly with each other and with topic experts, elected officials, civic leaders, and professionals from around the world.

Living Diversity & Inclusion

By Remove Barriers in SC

All programming at Upstate International celebrates cultural diversity, enhances cross-cultural respect, and ensures the Upstate embraces diversity of age, gender, race, religion, economics, and culture.

If the first time didn’t work, she found another way to tell us what we needed to know – the mark of a true teacher!

UI Class Participant

A very positive experience for those who took languages early in life and want to refresh and relearn them.

Barbara B.

UI is a great way to learn without the pressure of college classes with tests and weighted grades.

UI Class Participant

Randy is very enthusiastic about Spanish and it was catching! He gave me the courage to get out at speak it in public. Thanks Randy!!

Julianne Summer

Mr. Rivera tried to create a class atmosphere where it was very informal, inclusive and conversation- oriented which made it very effective for me as a student learning a foreign language as an adult.

Saku G.

Monica is an outstanding teacher and created a pleasant and fun ambience which contributed to my learning so much and improving my conversational Spanish!

Janis B.

Atsuko was so patient! I loved that the class was so small, so we all got very individualized instruction!

Mary F.

I am thankful not only for the terrific instruction given in class but also for the congenial classmates. Although several no longer attend classes, we developed a friendship and are still in touch.

Janis B.

Upstate International's Corporate Mission Partners Play a Crucial Role in Enhancing our Close-Knit Community

Your U.S. CPAs and European tax advisors and public accountants

Our priority is serving the European mid-sized market from Greenville, Charlotte and 8 additional US offices. With more than four decades of experience serving inbound foreign companies and individuals, we have the depth of knowledge to address your accounting, assurance, and tax matters that can have a significant impact on your business. Our European roots make us passionate about your business and attentive to your needs and expectations on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Memberships support a welcoming and inclusive Upstate South Carolina!
Is Membership required for participation at Upstate International?

Memberships support a platform for nonpartisan discussion and education on critical world issues.

Memberships aren’t required to participate in many Upstate International Center Events, but they are a great way to say “I want a globally diverse and engaged Upstate South Carolina!” Memberships are required for language classes and certain group activities.

Please note that Upstate International Memberships are non-refundable, but we’re here to ensure you have a wonderful experience with us!

Membership – Family
$100.00 / year
Membership – Patron
$200.00 / year
Countries Represented by UI Members
0 +
Volunteers Lending a Hand Annually
0 +
Hours of Volunteering
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