Autumn Quarter Program for International Spouses, Partners, and Families (September 23, 2024 - December 13, 2024)
This volunteer program offers events, workshops, and classes for international spouses and partners. These activities are great opportunities to get settled in the Bay Area, build a new network (friendships!), practice English, and develop ideas for an interesting and satisfying life here. All program offers are free, except cooking class (with a fee for ingredients). All experience levels are welcome to participate. Families with children of all ages are welcome, but parental supervision is required for the whole time. If you would like to attend a class, please email the instructor to register (and for questions). Questions about the program? Interested in volunteering? Email Kate at katekh@stanford.edu
International Spouse Coffee
An ideal opportunity to meet other internationals and local volunteers and learn about programs, events and helpful resources in the Bay Area. Every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Bechtel International Center. Our Special Coffee events: September 25 - Welcome coffee, October 9 - Korean and Chinese Mid Autumn Festival, October 16 - Mehregan: Persian Fall Festival, October 30 - Halloween, pumpkin decoration, November 6 - Diwali, November 20 - Thanksgiving, December 4 - Volunteer appreciation party, December 11 - Holidays around the world.
Game Night
Join us for a Game Night with board games and Nintendo Switch group games. Everyone can bring their own snacks that represent your country or family traditions. When: October 5, 2024 | 6 pm - 9 pm Where: Bechtel Assembly room. Hosts: Sheila and Jessie Register: No registration needed.
Career & Self Development Classes
Career Growth Circle
Welcome to the Career Growth Circle! This is a cozy space where we can share our job search ups and downs. Let’s support each other through the struggles and celebrate the wins together. Whether you’re feeling stuck or ready to make a move, we’re here to motivate and uplift one another. Join us for friendship and encouragement as we work through the job market together! When: starting November 5th, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Where: Activity room Instructor: Kate Khatseyeva, to RSVP send an email to: katekh@stanford.edu
LinkedIn workshop
Ready to level up your LinkedIn game? Join our workshop and discover the best techniques to enhance your profile, boost engagement, and leverage LinkedIn for job searching! 📈 When: On October 9, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm with a coffee break between sessions. Where: Assembly room, reserve your spot in advance by filling this form.
Personal and Professional Development: Tips for Building Your Optimized LinkedIn Profile
Let’s Explore: Transforming Professional Profile through Personal Development: How to improve your skills and achieve your goals; The Importance of LinkedIn for personal branding and professional growth; Key LinkedIn statistics and trends; Hands-on practice with live LinkedIn profiles from participants; Tips for real-time feedback and improvement. When: October 16, 2 pm - 4 pm and November 13, 2 pm - 4 pm (with a coffee break between sessions) Where: Assembly room, Instructor: Jeanette Atach, Reserve your spot in advance by filling this form.
Job Search Basics Workshop
Learn about key elements of job applications focusing on specific aspects relevant for international spouses. We will invite an expert from our scholar advisor team to answer your questions. When: Tuesday, October 22,2024 | 12 pm to 2 pm. Where: Activity Room. Instructor: Kate katekh@stanford.edu
Job Search Follow-up sessions
These are 5 consecutive sessions, each with their own program per session. The information of one session is necessary for the next session. Please plan to attend all 5 sessions when you sign up. When: Wednesday's October 30 - December 4, 2024 (No class on November 27) | 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm. Where: Bechtel’s Courtyard or Assembly room. Instructor: Melanie: mel.grondel@gmail.com
Job & Career Corner
This drop-in class is an opportunity to share the ups and downs in the job-seeking process with peers and receive some feedback and advice. When: Thursday, | 2 - 3 pm. Where: Activity Room Instructor: Melanie: mel.grondel@gmail.com
EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP: Maximizing opportunities at Stanford
Unlock your leadership potential and learn how to maximize the opportunities of being at Stanford. In these monthly events we host special speakers to learn how to enhance our interpersonal skills. When: October 15, November 20, 2024 Where: Assembly room, 1.30 pm – 3 pm. No RSVP needed.
Conversation & Culture Groups
Mom and Mom To Be Support Group
Are you looking for a community of fellow moms and moms to be as you are settling down in Stanford? This group was created for moms by moms to connect, share and exchange experiences. Inviting all moms and expecting moms, meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. When: 2nd and 4th Tuesday | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. No class on Nov 26, 2024 Where: Bechtel Activity room or Bechtel Lawn (Please, bring your blanket). Instructor: Bidemi bmuibudeen@hotmail.com
The Book Club
Mornings Made Better with Books! Love to read? Share your passion with others. Join our book club and start your day with engaging discussions and great stories. When: Every other Wednesday | 9.30am - 10.30am, Starts from October 2, 2024. Where: Bechtel Lawn (backyard) If you have any questions, please contact Jessie (jessiechew0907@gmail.com)
Understanding Culture – One Person at A Time
This group is designed to promote cross-cultural understanding and friendships through interviews and group discussions. For questions and to receive the Zoom link email Brad. When: Fridays | 10:30 am to 12 p.m. On Zoom. Instructor: Brad bradteresa2@gmail.com
Health & Well-Being Classes
Yoga For All
In this class, postures are practiced aligning, strengthening, and promoting flexibility in the body. Breathing techniques and meditation are also integrated. Instructor: Yuko yukosj@yahoo.com When: Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Where: Assembly room. (Zoom on September 23 and October 3, November 7. No class on November 28)
Gentle Somatic Meditation for All
This class invites you to be present with yourself, to align, nourish and integrate your body mind system. Experience relaxation and regulation. Combining somatic, body centered practices with uplifting positive visualization.**This class is not tied to any specific religion or belief system** Everyone is welcome, just make sure you bring a bottle of water and comfortable clothes. When: On Monday’s from 2 pm, 45-60 mins. Where: Zoom. Reserve your spot in advance by sending an email to Lin: linapfeffer1@gmail.com
K Posture exercise and cultural diversity presentation class
In this class, we focus on nurturing both brain health and good posture, helping you lead a balanced and mindful lifestyle. We also come together to introduce ourselves, sharing the aspects of our lives that we love, while celebrating our diverse cultures through folk traditions, art, music, dance, food, and all the beautiful things that make each of us unique. When: every Thursday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, starting September 26th. Details: Feel free to join us as a new member in 2 or 3 first sessions and enjoy. Where: Assembly room, Bechtel Instructor: Dr. Insook Han (sociologist). To set your presentation up on the fall calendar, please, send an email to insookhp@gmail.com
Learn new Skills
Photography workshop series: learning composition & finding golden points
Visiting California's attractions is wonderful, would you like to have a better picture of them? In this class you can learn the aesthetics of your own photos, based on world famous photographers. When: every other Tuesday, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, starting October 8 Details: you can bring your own Camera or Cell phone. Homework is required. Where: Assembly room, Bechtel Instructor: Samira Davarfara (Interdisciplinary Artist). Please register in advance by sending an email to Samira: s.davarfara@gmail.com
Journaling for productivity, creativity and self-reflection
This 10-session journaling course is designed to help individuals develop a consistent and meaningful writing practice, focusing on personal growth, creativity, and self-reflection. Each session introduces new techniques, from stream of consciousness writing to gratitude and future-self journaling, allowing participants to explore their emotions, goals, and identity in a structured way. Through various prompts and activities, participants will learn to use journaling as a tool for problem-solving, emotional processing, and creative expression. By the end of the course, they will have a deeper understanding of themselves and a lasting journaling habit to continue their personal development journey. Where: Activity room, in-person, Starting Oct 7, 2024, 1 pm - 1.45 pm (10 sessions) Details: Bring a journal and a pen! Equipment: Arts and crafts if available at Bechtel (need to discuss with Kate: katekh@stanford.edu ) To register: Send your name to Aman: amanrehan95@gmail.com
Design Thinking workshop
Dive into the world of design thinking with this hands-on workshop! You’ll not only learn about the essential design mindset and methods but also experience them firsthand as we collaborate on real design challenges. This workshop is all about doing — you’ll understand how design works by doing design. Together, we’ll sprint through each step of the design process, discovering effective tools and techniques that bring creative solutions to life. Whether you’re new to design or looking to enhance your approach, this is your opportunity to embrace and practice the power of design thinking. When: November 12, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm Where: Classroom Instructor: Aidana aidusalim@gmail.com
Sustainability for All
Join us for an engaging talk on Sustainability for All, where we’ll explore how simple actions can create lasting change for our planet. Learn how sustainability connects to your daily life, debunk common myths, and discover easy, impactful steps you can take to make a difference. Together, we can build a greener, more sustainable future—one choice at a time! When: Nov 12, 2:30-3:30 pm. Where: Assembly room. To register email to: jordiespinmarti@gmail.com
Cooking classes
A Taste of Turkish Cuisine
Cooking is always fun. Enjoy and cook delicious special Turkish food with us. When: on the following Tuesdays | 12 pm - 2 pm : October 1st: A special Turkish breakfast: Menemen, October 15th: The lunch time: Kısır, October 29th: A special dinner: Karniyarik – Tzatziki, November 19th: A special Dessert: Semolina with Ice cream (İrmik Helvası) Where: Bechtel Kitchen. Instructor: Bilge, The registration is required: drbilgekb@gmail.com. Details: Fee: $20 for ingredients, Max. 7 participant
Dance classes
Bachata
Curious about Bachata but never tried it? This beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect place to start! Everyone is welcome to join the fun, learn the basics, and dance to the rhythm. Come as you are and let's get moving! 💃 When: On Friday October 4 and October 18, from 12 pm to 1 pm Where: Assembly room, reserve your spot in advance by filling this form.
Discover Traditional Japanese Dance, “NIHONBUYO”
Have you ever seen the traditional Japanese dance? This class would give you the first experience to touch the old Japanese culture! In this class, you could watch the traditional Japanese dance and learn the beginner dance! (If you want. Of course, you are welcome to just watch the dance!) The teacher is UME NAKAMURA, one of the most famous professional dancers in Japan. She performs every year at the National Theater, which attracts 2,000 people. Want to know more about her? Check out her short dance video! When: On Friday October 4, 1 pm to 2 pm Where: Assembly room, no reservation required