Proposal

Intercultural conversation in class

Community partner: UWEC Languages

Supervisor: Kaishan Kong

Beginning date:
2026-09-02

Ending Date:
2026-12-14

Project Proposal Description

1.

Briefly describe the project and the community need to be addressed.

Answer This project looks for international students and scholars on campus to participate in a weekly conversation in class. This structured, weekly intercultural conversation space brings together domestic and international students for meaningful dialogue. Meeting once a week for 50 minutes over the course of the semester (15 hours total), participants engage in guided discussions on topics such as global identity, cultural diversity, study abroad experiences, language learning, college life, and personal storytelling. The project addresses a clear campus need: while international students are an integral part of the university community, they often have limited opportunities for sustained, meaningful interaction with domestic students outside of casual or transactional contexts. Similarly, many domestic students lack access to authentic intercultural engagement. This initiative fosters connection, reduces social and cultural isolation, and promotes intercultural understanding in a welcoming and structured environment.

2.

What is the mission of the agency or organization?

Answer Housed in the Department of Languages, this project aligns with the department’s mission to promote intercultural competence, global awareness, and effective communication across languages and cultures.

3.

What skills are required for this project?

Answer Participants (volunteers) should demonstrate: 1. Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English 2. Willingness to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives 3. Openness to listening actively and respectfully to others 4. Empathy and cultural sensitivity 5. Curiosity about different cultures and life experiences 6. Reliability and commitment to consistent participation No prior teaching experience is required, but a collaborative mindset and positive attitude are essential.

4.

What are the learning objectives for this project

Answer By participating in this service-learning experience, students will: 1. Develop intercultural communication competence through sustained dialogue 2. Increase awareness of cultural diversity and global perspectives 3. Reflect on their own cultural identities and assumptions 4. Build empathy and active listening skills 5. Gain confidence in expressing ideas in a multicultural setting 6. Strengthen their ability to engage in respectful, meaningful conversations across differences 7. Practice reflective learning through weekly summaries and a final report

5.

What are the availability requirements for the student?

Answer Students are expected to: 1. Attend a required orientation session before the semester begins 2. Participate in weekly sessions every Wednesday from 5:30–6:20 PM 3. Commit to a total of 15 hours of engagement throughout the semester 4. Complete a brief weekly reflection/summary after each session 5. Submit a final reflection report at the end of the project Consistent attendance and active participation are essential for the success of the program.

6.

Additional information (not required).

Answer Please contact Dr. Kaishan Kong at kongk@uwec.edu for more details or questions.

UWEC

UWEC

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Proposal

Intercultural conversation in class

Project Proposal Description

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