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Overview

The Conversation Leader Program (CLP) exists to match international students with Thiel students as a way to practice and learn English, build friendships, and share cultures. In addition to meeting one-on-one with your assigned CLP leader, there are monthly activities for CLP leaders and students to attend as one large group. Some common activities that students take part in with their leaders include:

• Attending campus events
• Eating meals together
• Going to the Outlets/shopping
• Cooking meals together

Take a look at what we have done this past year …

• Celebrate holidays (Valentine’s Day, Easter)
• Trips to Pittsburgh
• Fresh Grounds Coffeehouse
• Game Nights

• Job Description
• Conversation Group Leader Packet
• Attendance Form

What Students are Saying

Yea Woun Lim
Major: Business Finance

“The CLP program has allowed me to improve my English skills through speaking with our CLP leaders. Speaking in English has become much easier than when I first came to Thiel through conversations with my CLP leader.

Erica, my CLP leader has become a dear friend through the CLP program. We have had a lot of fun together watching movies, playing games, going bowling, and eating meals. We have become true friends, transcending cultural barriers.

Lastly, I have learned American culture through the CLP program. On Valentine’s Day we made chocolates and decorated boxes. I had never experienced Valentine’s Day this way because Valentine’s Day is not a big celebration in Korea. For Easter, we dyed and decorated eggs to celebrate Easter with the CLP leaders. It was so interesting to learn about and very meaningful to me to experience a different culture.”

Erica Riola, Senior
Major: Elementary Education/ English

“Being an CLP Discussion Group Leader for the past three years has been one of my favorite and most rewarding experiences here at Thiel. I’ve met some of the most amazing people that I now feel fortunate enough to call my friends. I’ve learned how to leave my comfort zone and to be open to meeting new people. One of the greatest parts about helping out with the CLP program is that not only was I able to form connections with the students that I worked with, but also with their friends as well. I have learned so much about communication, working cooperatively with my peers, and even gained a greater sense of empathy.

I have had so much fun getting to know the international students in the CLP program over the past few years! I’ve gone on trips with my groups, we’ve had endless board game nights, watched movies, gone out to dinner together, and some have even come home with me for school breaks. While working with the program, I’ve gotten to learn about other cultures and I have amazing pen pals in Korea who I still consider close friends. For me, that’s what the CLP program signifies most, it brings students together and fosters an environment of understanding and great friendships.“