Do you want to meet with a volunteer to improve your English Fluency?
The EIA program is currently accepting applications. Please submit this e-form to apply to work with an EIA Volunteer.
Participants and volunteers are welcome to meet remotely and in person. (on or off campus) If you meet on campus, please follow the safety protocols outlined on the Return to Learn website. Questions? Please email eia@ucsd.edu.
Who is eligible?
- Enrolled, degree-seeking, UC San Diego international undergraduate and graduate students
- Non-degree seeking Exchange Abroad Program(EAP)-Reciprocity students
- UC San Diego affiliated post-doctorates and research scholars, including GLI students
- Spouses of UC San Diego affiliated international students, post-doctorates, and research scholars
Note: Visiting scholars/researchers (including GLI students), spouses of students and scholars, post docs and visiting grad students are required to pay a $100 non-refundable EIA program administration fee at the time of your initial EIA application (and annually after that if participation is renewed). In addition to the $100 registration fee through Aventri at https://www.eiseverywhere.com/eia, there will be an $11 cost differential fee + a 3% credit card processing fee added when paying through the Aventri website online. Fees are subject to change without prior notification.
Please visit the EIA Registration Policy document to view the EIA program registration fee policy.
Who is NOT eligible?
- UC San Diego Extension Students from English Language Institute and Certificate programs
- Non-UC San Diego affiliated researchers (The Scripps Research Institute, Salk, Burnham, V.A. Hospital)
- Children of UC San Diego-affiliated international students, post-doctorates, and research scholars
- Permanent Residents
- Citizens of the US who have a US passport
Are you looking for additional English language Resources? Click here for a list of additional community and campus resources.
Do you want to volunteer to help international visitors improve their English fluency?
Help an international student, scholar, or spouse improve their conversational English skills and become more familiar with the American culture. Training is provided to all volunteers, as well as materials and resources to assist you in your sessions.
Please submit this e-form (Note: you will need to sign the standard UC San Diego waiver first) to complete an application and sign up for a virtual orientation. Over 200 leaders participate in the program yearly volunteering over 1,500 hours per month. Our volunteer leaders help over 300 international students and scholars each year improve their English skills and acclimate them to UC San Diego. Please see our Volunteer Experiences to hear what past and current volunteers have shared about their time in the EIA program.
For UC San Diego students, your EIA experience is eligible for validation on your Co-Curricular Record (CCR). Learn more about the EIA Conversation Leader CCR opportunity here.
Meetings can be held virtually or in person. (on or off campus) If meeting on campus, please follow the safety protocols outlined on the Return to Learn website.
**Please note that you will need to sign the standard Program Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement before filling out the application, it is required by all volunteers and participants that participate in any UC San Diego program.**
If you have any questions, please contact the Program Coordinator at eia@ucsd.edu.
Your commitment:
- One orientation session (scheduled approximately twice a month for 1 hour)
- Meet with your student for 1.5 - 2 hours each week.
Who is eligible?
- Local community members
- UC San Diego staff, faculty, and students
- Anyone who has interest and empathy in helping our international community acclimate better to their new environment by helping them with their English language skills
Benefits of being an EIA conversation volunteer
- You create long-lasting friendships
- You learn about other cultures and backgrounds
- You develop a skill-set as global citizens to help you prepare for your travels and/or studies abroad
A successful EIA conversation volunteer has...
Time: Volunteers and students meet once a week for approximately two hours. At least a one-year commitment to the volunteer conversation program is requested, but any help is deeply appreciated.
Patience: Volunteers have to understand that learning a language is not easy. There will be times of forward progress, as well a series of spurts, stalls, and even regressions.
Empathy: Volunteers should know that EIA applicants are educated people who may be experiencing difficulties in communicating their ideas and thoughts in our culture and academic environment.
Passion: Volunteers have a desire to help those in need while fostering cross-cultural exchange.