Your future, our focus
POWELL, Wyo. - Northwest College invites community members to enjoy coffee and conversation with international students in a half-credit class starting in April.
The Coffee and Conversation class was created to provide more opportunities for NWC students from other countries to practice their English conversational skills and for local residents to interact with and learn about people from other cultures. The cultures represented by NWC students span the globe from South America to the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Participants are expected to get together for conversation at least five hours a week through May 15, in whatever increments work best in their schedules. If they choose to meet at the college's 7th Street Grille (located in the DeWitt Student Center), the college will pick up the tab for the coffee or drink of their choice. If participants get together every weekday, that's five free drinks a week for each person. The 7th Street Grille serves a variety of coffee drinks as well as traditional soda fountain fare.
Many American students who participated previously in the class ended up enjoying more than just conversation with their international counterparts. Several became close friends, went to the movies or shopping together, shared holiday meals and supported each other's activities. Some found it helped them overcome shyness and rediscover their families and traditions through a different cultural lens.
Topics for discussion depended on the participants, ranging from football and government to the surprising popularity of American-made cars in other countries. One student said in his reflection paper that "Coffee and Conversation has turned out to be one of the best classes that I have ever taken."
American students pay $42 for the half-credit class and are asked to write a reflection paper describing their experience. There are no exams or other homework. Tuition is waived for Golden Age Cardholders.
To enroll in or get more information about NWC's Coffee and Conversation class, e-mail Kay Dooley or call (307) 754-6061. Registrations will be accepted through Friday, April 3.