Learning a foreign language is difficult business.

It is a very hard adjustment, according to Kate Spike, program director for the English as a Secondary Language Program.

“Language is the hardest transition one has to overcome, whether they are American or international,” Spike said.

Breaking this language barrier is a focus of the Cross-Cultural Conversation Connection program.

Started in 1995, the program is a way for both international and American students to make new friends and connections, and see a different culture through new eyes. Through the program, native English speakers and international students can grow culturally with each other through conversation.

The 4C program consists of over 100 student, community and faculty member pairings. Through these pairs, both American and international students can learn more about cultures and erase stereotypes through just spending time together.

Each pair is asked to meet for an hour each week over the course of a semester, to enjoy activities such as sporting events, grabbing food at the Union or just studying together.

According to Spike, the personal connection between the pairings make the language and the relationship itself much stronger. By just hanging out, international students get to see Americans from a real point of view.

“These international students already have a limited idea of how we live here in the United States; they only see a stereotype, which is perpetuated by different media outlets,” she said. “By pairing the international student with a native English conversation partner, each student is able to experience each culture and the walls holding the stereotypes are broken down.”

Besides experiencing culture the program also offers a new method of making friends, such as the kick-off party. Held each semester, all members attend it as an introduction to the program and to each other. A brief explanation of the culture change and differences is also discussed.

Partners then separate into groups and learn about each other, devoting time to your traditional ice breakers and other getting to know you team builders, Lee said.

“The 4C program lets the international student experience how to make a friend and how to interact in a new environment,” Spike said. “A friendship is created, and it is not uncommon to find partners spending extra time together, and some have even spent holidays together.”

Through the 4C program, new friends are made, and each partner learns something new about a culture that you can not learn in books, said Brandon Sauls, sophomore. Suals has been involved with this program since his freshman year and was first paired with a student from China, and now has a conversation partner from Ghana.

“I am in this program because it is a good opportunity to make new friends,” Sauls said. “It is also a great way to learn and practice new languages.”

Keeping an open mind and having a drive or a want to be apart of this program is essential for success, according to Ann-Gee Lee, 4C Program Coordinator.

It is especially essential with this program, when a student can not give the commitment needed to participate, they are not only letting down the program coordinators but they are also leaving their conversation partners to fall by the wayside, Lee said.

The hardest part about this program is finding time for all parties involved, said Debra Huff, a University-classified staff member who is on her second semester with 4C.

This is especially difficult for those conversation partners, such as Huff, who were paired with two partners from the start.

On the other hand, Lee had seven conversation partners last semester. Each of these international students either did not have a partner from the start, or their conversation partner could not handle the commitment.

Lee believes this program is beneficial for Americans just for the fact that they are able to experience a whole different culture, without having to leave the United States, and with no additional cost.

“Most international conversation partners have let on that they are lonely, being able to adjust to a new culture rapidly, makes one homesick,” Lee said. “Through the 4C program, you have a friend who helps make the new environment feel less lonely.”

The only request that comes from Spike or Lee is that students participating keep a commitment in mind. Americans are not the only ones “flaking out” on their conversation partners, Lee said. Keeping an open mind and a commitment helps the program to thrive, and help the University to continue building a more diverse international community.

Editor’s Note: Students, faculty or community members interested in participating in this semesters 4C program can send an e-mail expressing interest to [email protected] or visit East Hall 218.