Upstate International Clubs
Connections & Friendships in Action Free with Membership
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. Questions? Email:[email protected]
* IWG Tuesday Events generally are held at the Upstate International Center, starting at 10:00 AM.
Empowering Women and Bridging Cultures:


















Ongoing Events
Text @UIWG to 81010 to ‘stay in the know’ with IWG updates
Hike: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9:00am
Coffee and Conversation @ Panera: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:00am
Stride and Stroll: 1st Thursday of the month, 9:00am- Zoo Parking Lot at Cleveland Park
8 Mile Walk: 4th 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 locations each month.
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:

A gorgeous retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the many women involved in its causes and consequences.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is the expert on the “strongman” playbook employed by authoritarian demagogues from Mussolini to Putin―enabling her to predict with uncanny accuracy the recent experience in America and Europe. In Strongmen, she lays bare the blueprint these leaders have followed over the past 100 years, and empowers us to recognize, resist, and prevent their disastrous rule in the future.

The Things They Carried depicts the men of Alpha Company: Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and the character Tim O’Brien, who has survived his tour in Vietnam to become a father and writer at the age of forty-three.
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.
Meets every Wednesday (except for holidays) from 9:45 am – 11:00 am at the UI Center. No registration or RSVP is required.
Next English Conversation Clubs: June 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th.
Sign up as a Facilitator or explore who’s Facilitating here!
Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations.
Open to all members who want to enhance their French conversation skills. No registration or RSVP required.
Meets the last Friday of each month (September to May) from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the UI Center.
Next French Conversation Clubs: Friday, June 27th.
Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations.
Open to all members who want to enhance their German conversation skills. Every 1st Saturday of the month, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. 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 Ferrell, [email protected].
Next German Conversation Club: Saturday, July 5th at 6:00 PM at Fireforge Crafted Beer (311 E. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601)
Open to all members who want to enhance their Italian conversation skills. No registration or RSVP is required.
Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm, at the UI Center.
Next Italian Conversation Club: Thursday, June 19th.
Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations.
Meets every 2nd and 4th Fridays, from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, at the UI Center (9 S Memminger St). RSVP is not required, and all skill levels are welcome to join!
Next Spanish Conversation Clubs: Friday, June 13th & 27th.
Sign up as a Facilitator or explore who’s Facilitating here!
Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations.
Evening conversation meetups are now available through the Greenville Spanish Club, meeting every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Come practice your Spanish, connect with others, and learn more about the group!
Open to all members who want to enhance their Russian conversation skills. No registration is required, but if you have any questions, you can reach out to Peter Scott, (803)904-9269, [email protected].
Every last Sunday of every month, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm at the UI Center
Next Russian Conversation Club: Sunday, June 29th.
Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations.
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.
- Tom & Sandy Kester
- [email protected]