Connections and Friendships in Action

Join the International Men’s Group

The mission of the International Men’s Group (IMG) is to welcome men of all nationalities to experience a world of exciting activities. Members of the IMG get a chance to expand their social life while doing what they enjoy.  International Men’s Group activities are free to join with an Upstate International membership.

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!  And be sure to sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any changes in the schedule and meeting location.

Monday, August 24, 2020
Breasts and Eggs
By Mieko Kawakami

Monday, September 28
Our Women on the Ground, Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World
By Zahra Hankir

Monday, October 26
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
By Olga Tokarczuk

Monday, November 30
Death in the Rain Forrest
By Don Kulik

Monday, January 4, 2021
Around the World in 80 Trains
By Monisha Rajesh

Monday, February 8
Celestial Bodies
By Jokha Alharthi

Monday, March 22
Say Nothing, A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
By Patrick Radden Keefe

Monday, May 3
Last Boat out of Shanghai
By Helen Zia

Monday, June 7
Sunrise
By Victoria Hislop

Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Place:  TBD

Contact Caroline Warthen at [email protected] or

Upstate International at [email protected] with questions.

Come Speak With Us!

Want to improve your Spanish or English skills? Do you like making friends and having fun? Then come visit our Spanish or English 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.

Led by native speakers, 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.

Schedule *

• English Conversation Club – 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 required.
• Spanish Conversation Club –  Open to all members who want to enhance their Spanish conversation skills. Tuesdays, 6:00 pm-7:15 pm, We generally meet September through May, but sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations. No registration required.

* Upstate International follows the Greenville County schools’ schedule and is closed when the Greenville public schools are closed, including school holidays and school weather closings.

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 conversation about your experiences and travels.