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:

Upstate International Womens Group_11 (1)

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: 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 locations each month.

Tue

May

UIWG - Long Walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail

May 27, 2025

09:00 am -

01:30 pm

Greenville Zoo,

150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville, SC 29601

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

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Wed

May

UIWG - Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen

May 28, 2025

11:45 am -

01:00 pm

Jasmine Kitchen,

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 19, 2024

The Wandering Falcon

Written by: Jamil Ahmad

Book Description

Traditions that have lasted for centuries, both brutal and beautiful create a rigid structure for life in the wild, astonishing place where Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan meet – the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is a formidable world, and the people who live there are constantly subjected to extremes of place and of culture.

September 23, 2024

Harsh Times

Written by: Mario Vargas Llosa

Book Description

Guatemala, 1954. The military coup perpetrated by Carlos Castillo Armas and supported by the CIA topples the government of Jacobo Árbenz. Behind this violent act is a lie passed off as truth, which forever changes the development of Latin America: the accusation by the Eisenhower administration that Árbenz encouraged the spread of Soviet Communisms in the Americas. Harsh Times is a story of international conspiracies and conflicting interests in the time of the Cold War, the echoes of which are still felt today,

October 28, 2024

Poland, A Green Land

Written by: Aaron Applefeld

Book Description

A Tel Aviv shopkeeper visits his parents’ Polish birthplace in an attempt to come to terms with their complex legacy– and is completely unprepared for what he finds there.

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: May 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th.

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, June 7th at 6:00 pm at Fireforge Crafted Beer (311 E. Washington St. Greenville, SC 29601)

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, May 9th & 23rd.

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!

* 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]

Fri

06

Jun

Retired and Semi-Retired Expat Luncheon

June 6, 2025

11:30 am -

01:00 pm

Fork & Plough,

1629 E North St, Greenville, SC 29607

Categories: UI Retired Expats

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Do you need Resources?

We can connect Upstate residents with opportunities to prosper!

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Make a Donation Today!

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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