Sunday Event: Chinese Conversation Club
Chinese Conversation Club meets at the UI House every second Sunday of the month, from 3:00 – 4:15 PM. Their next meeting will be held on Sunday, February 8, and is open to all UI members who wish to enhance their Chinese conversation skills. As a bonus, the UI House will be decorated in preparation for Chinese New Year! Non-members: have you been wanting to try out a Conversation Club? Non-members can attend once before joining!
Conversation Club Schedule Updates
English:
Every Wednesday, 9:45 am – 11:00 am and
1st & 3rd Sundays, 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Spanish:
2nd & 4th Thurdays, 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm
French:
Last Friday, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
German:
1st Saturday, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
*Next meet will be located at Hans & Franz Biergarten Saturday 2/7/26.
Italian:
3rd Thursday, 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Russian:
Last Sunday, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Chinese:
2nd Sunday, 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm
All conversation clubs meet at Upstate International, except for the German group, whose location may change from month to month.
Now Offering a Language School “Mini-Mester”
Introducing Spring B Semester at the Monique and Bill Glass School of International Languages! Our Spring B “mini-mester” offers Regular and Intensive classes over a 9-week session, starting after Greenville County Schools’ Spring Break. Classes begin Monday, March 23 and end Saturday, May 23. We are currently planning to host American Sign Language, Beginner German, Intermediate Russian, and a Hybrid ESL course! Stay connected to learn more in the month of February.
Interested in teaching at UI during this “mini-mester?” Teachers receive a free Gateway UI membership, enrollment in a free Regular language class of their choosing, and an honorarium for each session taught. Please complete the teacher interest form.
BEGINNER LEVEL ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND JAPANESE TEACHERS NEEDED!
🌎 Language Corner
Learn German:
Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende
(ish FROY-eh mich owf das VOH-ken-en-deh)
I’m looking forward to the weekend
Tip:
A great phrase to practice as you head into the weekend. Keep the “ich” soft, almost like a gentle hiss, and let the rhythm flow naturally.
⭐️ Spotlight Feature
David Thibodeaux, UI Teacher & Student
David Thibodeaux wears two hats at Upstate International. He is both a dedicated language student and an English instructor. Since joining Upstate International as a student in 2024 and stepping into a teaching role in May 2025, David has embraced every opportunity to learn, connect, and share his passion for language.
For David, the language classes are the highlight of the Upstate International experience. He especially enjoyed the three-part Italian series L’Italiano a Tavola with Luigi and Amy. The course blends culture and cuisine, bringing participants together over authentic home-cooked meals while exploring Italian language and traditions. It is, in his words, an experience that speaks for itself.
What stands out most to David is the welcoming spirit of the community. He believes the environment at Upstate International goes beyond friendliness. Newcomers quickly feel a sense of belonging, as if they have found a second home. “Benvenuti,” he says, reflecting the warmth that defines the organization.
His advice for anyone considering getting involved is simple. Start with a language class and step into a new culture. Through his own participation, David has met a wide range of interesting people and built meaningful connections he wishes he had discovered sooner.
A native English speaker, David is currently focused on learning Italian, inspired by a trip to Italy in 2023 that sparked a deep appreciation for the language and culture. Outside the classroom, he enjoys hiking, cooking, writing, yoga, and teaching chemistry, biology, and ESL.
One fun fact about David is that he grew up in a multilingual family that spoke French, English, and sometimes Spanish. Ironically, he was the only one who spoke just English for most of his life. Now, through his studies at Upstate International, he is changing that story one Italian lesson at a time. Thank you for sharing!
🗓️ Upcoming Events
UI Book Club Meeting – Feb
📅 Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
🕐 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Location given upon RSVP
Book: The Lion Women of Tehran | Author: Marjan Kamali | February 9, 2026 In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untim…
Coffee and Crafts with the UIWG
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
🕐 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Upstate International
📍 9 S. Memminger street, Greenville
💰 Cost: Free for members of Upstate International
UIWG gathering with coffee and crafts! Please join us for this fun activity! This is not a workshop but a way for you to finish the craft that you sta…
¡Fiestas de Mexico! A Cultural Celebration
📅 Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
🕐 Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
📍 141 Jersey Lane, Clemson, SC 29634
💰 Cost: 25
Brought to you by Clemson | Brooks Center for the Performing Arts Step into the enchanting world where lively traditions come to life with each spirit…
La Chandeleur aka Crêpe Celebration
📅 Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
🕐 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Upstate International
📍 9 S. Memminger street, Greenville
💰 Cost: $12 adults, $5 children 12 and under, free for children 5 and under
You’re invited to La Chandeleur aka Crêpe Celebration by the Alliance Francaise and Upstate International. Sunday, February 15th from 2-4pm at Upstat…
Coffee at Panera Bread with the UIWG
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
🕐 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Panera Bread
📍 1125 Woodruff road, Greenville SC 29607
💰 Cost: Free for members of Upstate International
Coffee at Panera Bread on Woodruff road (Shops at Greenridge). Make sure to join the Upstate International Women’s Group (IWG) for coffee, yummy pas…
Ladies Night Out with the UIWG
📅 Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
🕐 Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Pastavino Italian and Coastal Cuisine
📍 441 The Parkway, Greer SC 29650
💰 Cost: Guests pay for their own meal at the restaurant.
Ladies night out at Pastavino, Italian and seafood restaurant, 441 The Parkway, Greer SC 29650. Please join the UIWG for a nice evening out enjoying I…
Long walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail with the UIWG
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
🕐 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Greenville Zoo parking lot
📍 150 Cleveland Park Dr. , Greenville SC 29601
💰 Cost: Free for members of Upstate International
Come and join the UIWG for the long walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. We will start at the Zoo and will walk to the Swamp Rabbit Café for a…
Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen with the UIWG
📅 Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
🕐 Time: 11:45 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 Location: Jasmine Kitchen
📍 503 Augusta street, Greenville SC 29605
💰 Cost: Guests pay for their own meal at the restaurant.
Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen, 503 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29605. Meet with the International Women’s Group at Jasmine Kitchen to enjoy lunch with fri…
Upstate International Month: Ring the Bells
📅 Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
🕐 Time: 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM
📍 Location: Tillman Hall, Clemson Carillon, Clemson University
📍 Clemson, SC 29634
💰 Cost: FREE
Each year, Upstate International Month begins at 12:00 noon on March 1, which is a Sunday in 2026. Upstate International invites carillons across our …
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