Aiming to bridge the gap between international and American culture and language, the American Language Program (ALP) at CSU East Bay helps students connect with American society and further an understanding and appreciation for the English language.

Through intensive grammar and pronunciation practice, international students gain a better grasp of the English language with the help of program student volunteers.

“Speaking Partners” meet each week to engage in tutoring and conversations solely utilizing correct English grammar and lexicon to prepare the visiting students for their academics as well as a life in the United States.

In her first quarter at CSUEB, 24-year-old Nina Do from Vietnam said the program has helped her gain lifetime friendships and feel comfortable in her new home.

“I feel very happy here [at CSUEB] thanks to these people who help me [so] much,” said Do. “My partner helps me feel good about what I accomplished and the program helps students open [their] minds.”

At the very core of the mission is a hope to bring understanding and appreciation for one another that transcends language and geographic barriers in a place which promotes progressive thought and discussion about the world.

For program assistant director Barbara Forsberg, the program serves as a unique and influential opportunity for students to connect and engage with people from around the world, repairing the American image and creating unique educational opportunities for everyone involved.

“It’s hugely beneficial because it helps [international students] assimilate that much faster and better into the broader community,” she said. “This is a very diverse and global campus, so the more people get an opportunity to really meet and talk one and one in depth just enriches everybody.”

Funded by the international student’s tuition and the partnership between the program and the student’s home university, ALP helps international students transition to an American university and lifestyle.

For many ALP volunteers, the ability to connect with others and assist them in their transition to an American education is enriching and exciting.

Commenting on the many interesting remarks they hear about Americans and their lifestyle, even amazed at their knowledge about life in the states, volunteers say befriending someone is great but seeing them transform and better their education is the best part of all.

“I think the program allows the partners to be more comfortable with acclimating to their new culture,” said Biology and Biochemistry major Regina Vigil. “Volunteers are here because they want to help them be successful and grasp their time here at CSUEB as much as possible. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”

Many say the true importance of the program lies in the mentoring connections made with the partners system, where in the end there is no distinction between an American or international student, rather belonging to a larger clan of CSUEB academic scholars.

For Psychology major Tyshaye Monroe, the program is beneficial to the CSUEB community for its effective use of communication among students and the networking and friendships it creates that in the end make CSUEB a global epicenter in the East Bay area.

“It’s awesome, you know. I think this program helps each side grow,” said Monroe. “It might help people step out of their box, because I think a lot of us we’re in a box in America, and so this experience can help people realize there’s more out there than what is in front of us.”

Forsberg attributes much of their steadily growing success to volunteers like Vigil and Monroe who make an “incredible effort” to work one-on-one with their speaking partners simply because they care and not out of monetary gain.

Forsberg hopes the CSUEB community recognizes the importance of their work at ALP, the dedication of volunteers and people who believe in reaching out to international students to make their time at CSUEB beneficial, but in the end know every minute spent helps CSUEB develop into a universal marketplace of awareness and kinship.

“I always say our goal is just world peace, that’s all,” said Forsberg. “The more you make friends from other countries and you have those connections is a huge opportunity for students to meet students from other countries. Those relationships can last you a lifetime and help you in a career in the future.”