Clubs

Connections & Friendships in Action

Upstate International Clubs

Open to all & Free with memberships

Our clubs help expatriates and their families feel more connected to their new community, allow former US expats to reconnect with cultures they miss, and provide a warm environment for forging bonds with our diverse region. To learn details about each club navigate the tabs below.

Join the International Women's Group!

The International Women’s Group (IWG) is a social group and a conduit to connect women of all nationalities living in the Upstate. Membership in Upstate International entitles you to all the benefits of the IWG. Newcomers will feel at home by getting support from women already established in the area, while current friendships are expanded upon and deepened.

With a wide variety of monthly activities, from coffee mornings and potluck lunches to hiking and fitness walks, there is always an engaging experience around the corner. Special events such as International dinners and holiday celebrations provide a taste of the world. There are craft days and panel discussions with women who share a global outlook.

* IWG Tuesday Events generally are held at the Upstate International Center, starting at 10:00 AM.

Ongoing Events

Hike: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9:00am

Coffee and Conversation @ Panera: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:00am

Stride and Stroll: 1^stThursday of the month, 9:00am- Zoo Parking Lot at Cleveland Park

8 Mile Walk: 4^th Tuesday of the month, 9:00am- Zoo Parking Lot at Cleveland Park

Lunch & Laugh @ Jasmine Kitchen: 4th Wednesday of the month, 11:45am

Ladies Night Out: 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm. Different location each month.

Due to the Christmas Holiday, there will be no Ladies Night Out, Long Walk, or Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen for the month of December 2023.

Text @UIWG to 81010 to ‘stay in the know’ with IWG updates

Tue

Apr

Long walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail

(International Women's Group Event) We will start at the Zoo and will walk to the Swamp Rabbit Café for a snack or lunch.

150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601

Categories: International Women’s Group

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Wed

Apr

Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen

(International Women's Group Event) Meet with the International Women’s Group at Jasmine Kitchen to enjoy lunch with friends!

503 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29605

Categories: International Women’s Group

150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville, SC 29601

Categories: International Women's Group | International Women’s Group

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Tue

May

May Potluck Lunch and Book Exchange

May 7, 2024

10:00 am -

12:35 pm

Upstate International ,

9 S. Memminger St, Greenville, SC 29601

Categories: International Women's Group | International Women’s Group

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Tue

May

Hike Coon Branch Trail

May 14, 2024

09:00 am -

12:00 am

Starbucks Coffee (BEHIND Starbucks Parking Lot) meet spot,

2431 E North St, Greenville, SC 29615

Categories: International Women's Group | International Women’s Group

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Tue

May

Coffee at Panera Bread

1125 Woodruff Rd #1705, Greenville, SC 29607

Categories: International Women's Group | International Women’s Group

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Tue

May

Long walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail

150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601

Categories: International Women's Group | International Women’s Group

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Wed

May

Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen

(International Women's Group Event) Meet with the International Women’s Group at Jasmine Kitchen to enjoy lunch with friends!

503 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29605

Categories: International Women's Group | International Women’s Group

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Enjoy the International Book Club!

The International Book Club features books by international authors that will take you into worlds and lives around the globe. We delve into mysteries, novels, and folklore influenced by traditions old and new, varied societies, and passions of creative individuals. Through facilitated discussions we share a love of reading and learn about diverse cultures. We interpret perspectives and reveal parables. Most of all, we have fun.

The Book Club is open to all Upstate International members.

Guests are welcome to attend one meeting before being asked to join Upstate International.

The Book Club gathers once per month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Mondays, August through June. Meeting locations are currently to be determined. Light meals, snacks and beverages may be purchased during meetings. For more information, email us! ([email protected]) And be sure to sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any changes in the schedule and meeting location.

Books we're reading:

August 14, 2023

Solito: A Memoir

Written by: Javier Zamora

Book Description

Trip. My parents started using that word about a year ago–“one day, you’ll take a trip to be with us. Like an adventure.” Javier Zamora’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border.

September 18, 2023

Afterlives

Written by: Adbulrazak Gurnah

Book Description

Afterlives tells the story of Ilyas, who was stolen from his parents by German colonial troops as a boy and returns to his village after years fighting in a war against his own people. It was described in the Guardian as “a compelling novel, one that gathers close all those who were meant to be forgotten, and refuses their erasure.” Deals with long term effects of colonialism in East Africa.

October 30, 2023

My Sister, the Serial Killer: A Novel

Written by: Oyinkan Braithwaite

Book Description

A short, darkly funny, hand grenade of a novel about a Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a very inconvenient habit of killing her boyfriends. “Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer.“

Come Speak With Us!

Want to improve your French, Italian, Spanish and/or English skills? Do you like making friends and having fun? Then come visit our Conversation Clubs at Upstate International! Our Conversation Clubs offer an opportunity for speakers from different cultures to come together, practice the spoken language, and gain confidence in discussing different subjects. It is an excellent way to build language proficiency, as well as social and communication skills.

Each club emphasizes conversation rather than instruction. Conversation Clubs are open and free of cost for all UI members who want to enhance their conversation skills. No registration is required. Just show up and join the conversation!

Still not a member? Feel free to visit a class once before pursuing UI membership. After you’re a member, you may drop in whenever you like! If you have further questions, email us.

Want to Facilitate a Language Conversation? Conversation Club Facilitators help create opportunities for UI members to gain confidence by practicing their conversational skills. We welcome and appreciate all volunteer help! Sign Up

Available Clubs & Schedules

Open to all members who want to enhance their English conversation skills. Wednesdays, 9:45 am – 11:15 am, We generally meet September through May, but sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations. No registration is required.

Next English Conversation Club: Wednesday, April 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th

Open to UI, Furman French Club, and Alliance Française members. Dates will be confirmed as we go, please come back to check the schedule. Always from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at UI Center – dates are shared here and in our weekly newsletter as they are confirmed (sign up for the newsletter by clicking here). Please bring a drink or finger food to share. For further information: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. No registration is required. Know in advance: the French club takes a break in June, July, and August, resuming the gatherings in September.

Next French Conversation Club: Friday, April 26th

Open to all members who want to enhance their German conversation skills. Every 1st Saturday of the month, 10:00 am – 11:30 am. Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations. No registration is required, but if you have any questions you can reach out to Lee Ferrel ([email protected]). The February German Conversation Club has been canceled for February 3rd.

Next German Conversation Club: Saturday, April 6th

* Upstate International follows the Greenville County schools’ weather closings and is also closed on federal holidays.

Join the Retired or Semi-retired Expat Group!

If you are a Retired or Semi-retired Expat living in the Upstate, we want to meet you (members, spouses and significant others) and have you join us. Come and connect with fellow expats to share conversations about your experiences and travels. Luncheons are usually held every first Friday of each month.

If you have questions, feel free to contact or Retired Expat Club Coordinator at:

Tom & Sandy Kester

[email protected]

Check back soon for upcoming events.

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Your support helps us empower immigrants & expand our programs!

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Join a Conversation Club

Practice your new language skills in a casual environment with friends!

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Translation & Interpretation

We offer services to reduce language barriers and create inclusion!

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