Intercultural Connections at UWM

UWM has many fantastic intercultural activities for both international and U.S. students to participate in.

Culture Cafe

Culture Cafe brings all globally minded members of the UWM community together over an informal coffee hour. Each Culture Cafe features a different country, culture, or society for all to come and learn, listen, and enjoy good company and of course snacks!  Students from many different countries and cultures have frequented Culture Cafe since it's beginning in 2001, including Costa Rica, Armenia, Ireland, Japan, Turkey, Egpyt, South Africa, Kyrgyzstan and Sweden. 

International Bazaar

The International Bazaar is an annual celebration of culture at UWM. Various cultural student organizations prepare authentic dishes from their countries, set-up cultural displays, and participate in cultural demonstrations and entertainment programming. The International Bazaar is held during International Education Week in November.  

Peer Mentoring

The Peer Mentoring program was started to help international students get acquainted with the UWM and American culture.   Students from all over the world come to UWM to study, many have never been to the U.S. before and may need  help doing things like finding an apartment, figuring out the bus schedule, finding a grocery store and need someone to talk to while they adjust to the new culture. This is a great experience for a student that has or will study abroad, or any globally minded individual.

Global Small Speakers Bureau

The Global Small Speakers Bureau is designed to broaden international awareness and promote international education in area K-12 classrooms. International and return study abroad students present their cultural experiences to area children. International students benefit by engaging with a local class, in addition these visits inform local youth of cultures and customs other than their own and start them on their global journey. Return study abroad students demonstrate what the K-12 students can one day accomplish.

If you are interested in any of these programs please contact Andrea Herbert at aherbert@uwm.edu or (414) 229-6925.