About Upstate International
There's a Whole World in Our Neighborhood
Our Vision is a Globally Welcoming Upstate Community
Our Mission is to foster dynamic global engagement by connecting people, resources, and ideas.
Upstate International (UI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers people and businesses to thrive in the Upstate. Guided by values of inclusivity, curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning, we create welcoming spaces where residents and newcomers connect through programs, events, and initiatives that celebrate cultures, build understanding, and foster global exchange.
Our Impact at a Glance
We are the Heart of Global Engagement in the Upstate
Founded in 1997, Upstate International has spent over 25 years building bridges between cultures in South Carolina. What started as a vision to foster understanding through cultural exchange has grown into the region’s leading international nonprofit.
We create space where neighbors of all backgrounds feel welcome and engaged. Through our language school, cultural events, business connections, and welcoming services, we help both longtime residents and newcomers thrive in an increasingly global community.
Whether you’re learning your first words of Spanish, attending a Beyond the Headlines discussion, or volunteering to help a refugee family settle in, Upstate International is where global connections happen locally.
