Suggested Topics
It may be helpful to have a list of topics on-hand to help facilitate the first few conversations. The list below is a starter (and by no means exhaustive!).
Holidays
Objective: Learn about special days throughout the year and how they are celebrated by law or custom.
Preparation: Bring a current 12-month calendar to the meeting. Make a list of holidays celebrated in your country.
Topic Ideas:
- Compare and contrast common holiday observations (New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc.).
- Discuss other special days, such as independence days and legal holidays, religious celebrations, etc.
Travel and Transportation
Objective: Learn about geography and tourist attractions.
Preparation: Bring an atlas or maps of the world, U.S.A., Texas, and partner’s country to the session.
Topic Ideas:
- Ask your partner to show on the world map which routes he/she traveled to get to their country.
- On the Texas map, point out the location of the places to visit.
- Tell each other which places you have toured and visited.
- Make suggestions for spring break travel or plans for vacations during other school breaks.
Food
Objective: Learn about daily meals and special menus for celebrations and possibly try new foods and exchange recipes.
Preparation:
- Eat at the campus café or dining hall together.
- Exchange a favorite recipe or home cooked dish from each other’s country.
- Go to a cultural festival sponsored by the university or community.
Topic Ideas:
- Discuss what food is served during a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Find out what special foods are prepared on holidays, birthdays, weddings, etc.
- Talk about rituals, etiquette/manners, eating utensils, etc. associated with food.
Family
Objective: Learn about family structures (nuclear or extended), values, and domestic lifestyles.
Preparation: Bring a family photo, photo album, or family tree to the session.
Topic Ideas:
- Share favorite memories about your family, relatives, etc.
- Talk about parents' professions, your home, your family vacations, your upbringing, etc.
- Tell each other about any pets you or your family own.
Jobs
Objective: Learn about the types of jobs available and most common in each other’s countries. Learn about employment opportunities on campus, in the area, and abroad.
Preparation: Bring a classified ads page from the newspaper or illustrate using the web.
Topic Ideas:
- Share financial tips for college (part-time jobs, money management strategies, etc.).
- Talk about your part-time job/internship/assistantship/fellowship experiences.
- Discuss how your partner is preparing for his/her occupation.
- Compare and contrast what information may be included in a resume in each other’s cultures.
- Discuss what it would be like to work in each other’s countries.