On Saturday, November 16, over 40 ELI Conversation Circles participants and volunteer facilitators gathered in Burns Park to celebrate fall and the friendships formed through this longrunning program. The festive event included cider and donuts from a local orchard, games such as corn hole and jenga, and lots of engaging conversations and laughter. The event culminated in a raffle for prizes that included treats from Cherry Republic and ELI T-shirts.

Being a Conversation Circle Facilitator with ELI has been a very meaningful experience for me!” says volunteer facilitator Fiona Pratt-Macdonald, a Fiona Pratt-Macdonal, a master's student in U-M’s Marsal Family School of Education who attended the gathering with three of her circle members. “I feel more connected to students across the University of Michigan and have learned so much from my Conversation Circle members.”

For more than 30 years, ELI’s Conversation Circles have been bringing together international students and scholars with volunteer facilitators who are UM students, staff, or faculty, for casual English practice cultural exchange.  

Want to join or facilitate a Conversation Circle in Winter 2025?  Look here for more details.