Clubs
Connections & Friendships in Action
Upstate International Clubs
Open to all & Free with memberships
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: 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 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
Check back soon for upcoming events.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, February 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th
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, February 23rd
Open to all members who want to enhance their Italian conversation skills. Every 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm, starting in February. Sign up for our weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations. No registration is required.
Next Italian Conversation Club: Thursday, February 15th
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, March 2nd
Every 2nd and 4th Fridays, from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, at UI Center (9 S Memminger St). RSVP is not required and all skill levels are welcome to join!
Next Spanish Conversation Club: Friday, February 9th & 23rd
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]