Want a New Year's Resolution that will be easy to keep?   Consider resolving to make a new friend this year, a friend from a country that is different from your own. International House can help!

Make plans to attend the "Get to Know You" potluck lunch on January 7 offered by Doorways, our monthly social group for international women, or come hear retired Winthrop University professor (and member of our French Conversation Hour) Roger Baumgarte speak about his book, "Friends Beyond Borders", on January 13. (There is more info on these events in this newsletter issue.) Check out one of our free Conversation Hours. This is a great way to make a new friend AND make good on your resolution from last year to practice a new language!   

Or how about taking the plunge and hosting one of our international visitors?  It is absolutely one of the best options for exploring new cultures and friendships without leaving home!  After hosting these delightful folks in my spare bedroom for a few days over the past 4 years, I am grateful to still be in touch with Gauhar (Kazakhstan), Hina (Pakistan), Gia (Georgia), Kosalai (Sri Lanka), Naheed (Bangladesh), Sylvana, and Shokh (Iraq).  We enjoyed cooking together, seeing the Charlotte sights, and chatting into the evening about topics ranging from family to fashion, politics to pets, and social media to soccer.  I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to get to know these inspirational leaders who offer me different ways of viewing this remarkable world that we share. 

It is also easy to make an international friend by volunteering to be a tutor for someone learning English or attending our Sunday citizenship classes.  This is a rewarding way to not only make a difference in someone's life but also learn about the rich cultural diversity that makes Charlotte an increasingly global city. 

Woodrow Wilson said: "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together."  Why not resolve to make a new international friend in 2015?  It is a small but effective way to help hold this fragile world together!

Our fabulous Doorways Women's Group always starts the new year with this program for its members.  This is an opportunity for members to get know one another better so be prepared to tell us about yourself!  The program will be conducted in a very friendly and informal atmosphere. 

Refreshments will be provided.  Members and guests should  bring a favorite dish to share for lunch.  Please let us know in advance if you need to leave early so we can arrange for you to talk before lunch.

For more information on Doorways, please contact Lakana Bikhazi at laklouk12@carolina.rr.com.

International House celebrates language and culture through weekly conversation hours.  

FREE and for all levels! 

*No registration required

* Drop-ins welcome

Conversation hours are held at 1817 Central Avenue, 

Room 202.  Check out the calendar and  join us today!

International House's vision is a Charlotte that welcomes and embraces the world.

Our mission is to promote international understanding and help immigrants integrate fully into our community. 

In December our visiting delegation of artists, musicians, and media personalities from Zimbabwe wowed us with their creativity, energy, and eagerness to absorb all they could about Charlotte and the United Stated.  They were in the U.S. to visit centers of artistic entrepreneurship,

film making, journalism, music recording, photography and creative writing. They returned home to continue their media projects, bringing together the sectors of journalism and the arts to open up and support democratic space and build a creative economy. We were delighted to receive the following note from Zandile Ndlovu regarding her experience in Charlotte:

Dear Johnelle:

Priscilla and I arrived well back home in Bulawayo. Our families were very excited to see us and hear about our ground breaking trip. If we were not celebrities before we left, now we certainly are. We are still appearing and dominating the local press. Within 24 hours of arriving home, I have done 3 interviews with 3 different publications. The excitement I guess is that we returned home with new found knowledge and are optimistic our film industry will grow from the synergies we made (while in Charlotte)... Once again, thank you so much for making our first trip to the US the most memorable trip anyone could ask for. We learnt so much, are Inspired to be the best in our field and bring about new systems and best practices in our work. Thank you for being such an amazing host and friend.

Best regards,

Zandile Zaza Ndlovu, Creative Director, BrandZa.com

International House is pleased 

to once again offer our popular ESL Storytime program held on the second Saturday of every month.  It is a program that is free and open to the public-- no registration is required!  

Storytime is designed for international families and will engage pre-K to 2nd grade children ages 3-7 and their parents.  Parents are encouraged to stay with their children throughout the Storytime hour in order to improve family literacy.   Each month we feature a new book.  We read the book aloud and then do various literacy activities and crafts with the children and their parents. For every two marks of attendance, children will be able to choose a prize from the prize box as well!

Free and open to everyone!  Please join us for our next session on January 10th, 11a-12p, Room 200. 

Young Professionals@IH announces their 2015 slate of officers:

Jonathan Utrup, President

Brandi Wyant, Vice-president
Joel Gingrich, Treasurer
Paul Love, Secretary
Casey Nason, Marketing and Communications
Katie Kirkland, Marketing and Communications
Steven McDonnough, Events and Programming
Morgan Twist, Programming and Outreach
Denise Moseman, Development
Farai Gwata, Membership Engagement  

The date for the next YP@IH networking reception event is January 29th 6-8pm.  Location TBD.   The Young Professionals will be joining a delegation of Russian visitors hosted by International House.  Learn more about our Young Professionals group here.