Volunteers with International Students and Scholars (VISAS)
The Volunteer with International Students and Scholars (VISAS) program is the perfect social bridge between our domestic American students and international scholars.
Looking for a casual spot to wind down after a long day of academic lectures? Join us for our weekly VISAS Café. This is a completely free conversation club where students from every corner of the globe gather to hang out and chat.
No structured lessons, no speeches, and absolutely no teachers grading your English. It is a pure social hour designed to help you relax, build community, and feel at home on campus.
VISAS Café
Free Food and Drinks
Share delicious snacks, local treats, and warm drinks with new friends. All snacks are completely free to SUU students.
Perfect Indoor/Outdoor Spaces
Enjoy the sunshine right outside the General Classroom building during the warmer months.
Festive Holiday Events
Experience classic American traditions and global celebrations throughout the year, including our popular holiday cookie decorating days, cultural trivia nights, and seasonal crafts.
Easy to Join
Join us each week for this scheduled, one-hour social event. There is absolutely no advanced registration or sign up required. Just drop in during the hour to relax, chat, and meet new friends between your classes.
Why Students Love the Café
For International Students: Your Safe Space to Practice
Stepping onto an American campus can feel overwhelming, and it is easy to retreat to your room when you are worried about your accent. The VISAS Café is your ultimate judgment-free zone. It gives you a regular, comfortable space to practice your natural English conversational skills and pick up popular American vocabulary. Since everyone is there specifically to meet new people, you can step past the language barrier and build genuine, long-lasting friendships with international and domestic students who are excited to learn about your background.
For Domestic Students: Travel the World From Campus
You do not need to board a flight to experience the world. Volunteering or hanging out at the VISAS Café connects you directly with international scholars from dozens of different countries. It is an incredible way to expand your global perspective, share your own hometown traditions, and help your international peers feel welcomed into the T-Bird family. It is a resume-building cultural experience that happens right in the middle of your regular school week.
Conversation Partners
If you prefer a more personal connection, you can request a dedicated conversation partner. This program pairs you individually with a fluent or native English speaker for casual, one-on-one chats. It is a fantastic way to form deep, personal friendships, share your own home culture, and practice real-world language skills on a flexible schedule.
Volunteer to help international students learn English as a conversation partner .
If you are an international student at SUU, sign up using this link .
Classroom Assistants
Our volunteer program also gives students and domestic peers an exciting chance to help teach ESL classes.
By submitting a quick online form , volunteers can act as virtual or on-campus teaching assistants, helping newer language learners practice conversational activities, master the university's online Canvas system, and feel incredibly welcome in our community.
Because assistant positions are matched directly to specific class needs, placements are confirmed as opportunities become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign up or commit to coming every single week for VISAS Café?
Not at all. The VISAS Café is built on a drop-in system. We know that university schedules get incredibly busy with exams, family visits, and project deadlines. You are welcome to come every single week, drop in once a month, or just stop by for fifteen minutes to grab a snack and say hello.
What if my English isn't good enough yet? Can I still participate?
The students who attend are there to hang out, meet new people, and enjoy a relaxed social hour. Because the environment is entirely casual, it is a very low-pressure place on campus to build your speaking confidence.
How can I get regular updates about what is happening each week?
We change our food menus, music playlists, and activity themes every single week to keep things exciting. You can sign up for our digital reminder list to get weekly invites sent straight to your phone.
Have questions about how to volunteer or get your student group involved? Reach out to our campus team anytime by emailing visas@suu.edu.