Dear Friends,
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you—our donors, supporters, members, partners, staff, and volunteers. This year has been one of growth and possibility for Upstate International (UI), and your participation has made all the difference.
Whether UI touched your life in the classroom, on the dance floor during Salsa at Sunset, at a Beyond the Headlines lunch & learn discussion, on a walk along the Swamp Rabbit Trail with the UI Women’s Group, in a book club meeting, over the phone to start your journey with us, or simply over lunch connecting with fellow community members, your presence matters. Every small and large moment contributes to the heartbeat of our mission.
As we reflect on the year, we hope you recognize the impact you’ve made, and we invite you to help continue that work. Your year-end gift enables Upstate International to expand its programs, open new doors for connection, and ensure that every person can experience an international Upstate. If a donation isn’t the right fit today, registering for a class is just as meaningful and enriches your journey of learning and connection.
While our office is closed to the public until January 12, 2026, staff will be available after the new year, with classes starting on January 26, 2026. We can’t wait to see you next year, ready to explore even more opportunities and connections together.
From all of us at Upstate International, thank you for being part of this community, for believing in our mission, and for helping us make a difference, one connection at a time.
With gratitude,
The Upstate International Team
🌎 Language Corner
Learn Portuguese:
Que bom te ver!
(key BOHN chee veh)
It’s so good to see you!
Tip:
Skip the kway. Go with key.
Let bom buzz in your nose.
Turn te into chee.
Drop the hard R at the end
Register for a UI Language Course Today! Classes Start January 26.
⭐️ Spotlight Feature
Giuseppe “Joe” Sacca, UI Teacher
Giuseppe Sacca has been part of Upstate International for two years, where he teaches the intermediate Italian class. Teaching is his favorite activity at UI, and he considers it the most rewarding part of his involvement. He believes that the wide range of languages taught and spoken at UI is one of the organization’s greatest strengths and one of the reasons it feels globally welcoming. Giuseppe encourages others to approach cultural differences with an open mind as they explore global connections through UI. He speaks both English and Italian, and when he is not teaching, he enjoys cycling. A mechanical engineer and business owner in his earlier career, Giuseppe has discovered that teaching has become a meaningful and fulfilling pursuit in his retirement. Thank you for sharing!
We Are Hiring
Two Positions: Executive Director and Communications Manager
The search for a permanent Executive Director is underway! We seek a talented nonprofit professional with honed skills and experience in leadership, fundraising and development, organizational management, and a sincere desire to build an international presence in Upstate. Contact the Executive Director Search Committee for information.
UI seeks to add a Communications Manager with creative and enthusiastic experience in public relations, marketing, member relations, and more. Contact the interim executive director for information.
🗓️ Upcoming Events
UI Book Club Meeting – Jan
📅 Date: Monday, January 5, 2026
🕐 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Location given upon RSVP
Book: The World to Come | Author: Dara Horn | January 5, 2026 Former child prodigy Ben Ziskind steals a Marc Chagall painting at the end of an alienat…
UIWG – Refresh & Restore: Reflexology Demonstration
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
🕐 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Upstate International
📍 9 S. Memminger St. Greenville, SC 29601
Come and join the UIWG for an informative demonstration of the benefits of reflexology by Vivienne Bailey, certified reflexologist since 2001. She wil…
Short Walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail – UIWG
📅 Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
🕐 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Greenville Zoo
📍 150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville, SC 29601
Upstate International Women’s Group Join UIWG for a short stroll on the Swamp Rabbit trail to downtown with a stop for coffee at the Commons. We will …
Retired and Semi-Retired Expat Luncheon
📅 Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
🕐 Time: 11:45 AM – 1:45 PM
📍 Location: Pomegranate on Main
📍 618 S. Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
Retired and Semi-Retired Expat Group Join the Retired Expat Group for lunch at Pomegranate on Main! Join us for a special Retired Expat Lunch at Pomeg…
Annual King’s Cake Celebration
📅 Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
🕐 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Upstate International
📍 9 S. Memminger St. Greenville Sc, 29601
💰 Cost: 10
La Fête des Rois (Feast of the Kings) Hosted By: Upstate International (UI)In partnership with Alliance Française du Piedmont The King’s Cake cele…
UIWG Coffee and Crafts!
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
🕐 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Upstate International
📍 9 S. Memminger St. Greenville SC, 29687
Upstate International Women’s Group Please join us for this new activity! This is not a workshop but a way for you to finish the craft that you starte…
UIWG – Coffee at Panera Bread
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
🕐 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Panera Bread
📍 1125 Woodruff Rd #1705, Greenville, SC 29607
Upstate International Women’s Group Coffee at Panera Bread on Woodruff Road (Shops at Greenridge). Make sure to join the Upstate International Women…
Long walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕐 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Greenville Zoo
📍 150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601
Upstate International Women’s Group Take a long walk on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. We will start at the Zoo and will walk to the Swamp Rabbit Café for a…
UIWG – Lunch at Jasmine Kitchen
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
🕐 Time: 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Jasmine Kitchen
📍 503 Augusta St, Greenville, SC 29605
Upstate International Women’s Group Meet with the International Women’s Group at Jasmine Kitchen to enjoy lunch with friends! The food is always h…
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