Upstate International Clubs

Upstate International Clubs create connections and friendships across borders. 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.

Clubs are open—and free!—for all members of Upstate International. Membership is affordable and gives you access to all of UI’s wonderful programs and opportunities.

International Women’s Group

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.

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.

The International Women’s Group is open and free to Upstate International members. Join here! For more information, email us.

*Most IWG Tuesday Events are held at the UI House, starting at 10:00 AM.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019
WELCOME POTLUCK, Greenville Library Presentation

Tuesday, October 1
International Expat Experience Panel

Tuesday, November 5
Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration

Tuesday, December 3
HOLIDAY POTLUCK

Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Full Potential by Fatima Ghzala

Tuesday, February 4
Jaramilo Dance Company Presentation

Tuesday, March 3
International Fashion Show

Tuesday, April 7
Relaxation with Bernadine

Tuesday, May 5
SPRING POTLUCK, High English Tea

Special Events

September/October: Our Lady’s Pantry

October: Hindu Temple Atlanta

Spring: Easter Egg Painting Demo by Diana

 Ongoing Events, September 2019 – May 2020

                            Coffee & Conversation – Panera Bread on Woodruff Road: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:00am (Note, meets in summer as well)

Cooking Demo: 4th Thursday of the month, alternating 10:00am or 6:00pm

Ladies’ Night Out: 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm – TBD

Ladies Lunch: 4th Wednesday of the month, 11:45am – Earth Fare (Note, meets in summer as well)

Hiking: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 9:00am– Meet at Starbucks on E. North

Stride and Stroll: 2nd Thursday of the month, 9:00am- Cleveland Zoo Parking Lot

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

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

International Men's Group

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.

Join today, and start exploring!  We occasionally meet to discuss international events, international travel and to network.  All nationalities are welcome, whether you are born and raised in SC or an expat from far away, having an interest in the world around us is all that we ask.
For more information, email us!

International Book Club

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 26, 2019
*Special kickoff potluck at UI

Delight of Being Ordinary: A Road Trip with the Pope and Dalai Lama
By Ronald Merullo

Monday, September 23
The Line Becomes a River
By Francisco Cantu

Monday, October 28
Fruit of the Drunken Tree
By Ingrid Rojas Contreras

Monday, December 2
Washington Black
By Esi Edugyan

Monday, January 6, 2020
The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed
By Julie Barlow and Jean-Benoit Nadeau

Monday, February 10
A Place for Us
By Fatima Farheen Mirza

Monday, March 23
The Island of the Sea Women
By Lisa See

Monday, April 29
Small Country

By Gael Faye

Monday, June 3
Walking the Nile
By Levison Wood

 

Time: 7:00-9:00pm

Place:  TBD

Contact Caroline Warthen at [email protected] or

Upstate International at [email protected] with questions.

Conversation Clubs

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.

Retired and Semi-Retired Expats 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 conversation about your experiences and travels.

We plan to meet for lunch and conversation every 4th Friday of the month at Roost, September through May. We take the summers ‘off’ as we know many of our expats will be traveling across the seas during the summer months. Sign up for weekly eBlast to be notified of any cancellations or other changes in the schedule.
Roost offers a lovely lunch buffet for $10.95 that includes salad, soup and flatbread pizza buffet, or you can always order a la carte.
Roost at the Hyatt Hotel
N Main St
Greenville, SC 29601 
We look forward to meeting you.
Please click here to RSVP to Sandy so that she can be sure to reserve enough seating at Roost.