Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer for the International Festival

International Festival (IFEST) is a 40+ year tradition; this festival celebrates the music, dance, and food of UNC Charlotte international students and members of Charlotte’s international community. Over 50 countries from around the world are represented and attendance in previous years has been estimated at 20,000. It is located at and around the Student Activities Center (SAC) and admission is free. To volunteer for the IFEST, members of the community should should contact the Office of International Programs at international@charlotte.edu or 704‑687‑7755.

Host Family Program

(An international friendship experience)
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites members of the Charlotte community to serve as host families for first year international students at the university. This program is not a live-in situation, but one which creates an opportunity for international students to develop a friendship with an American family. It is an opportunity for people from different cultures to share some common experiences and learn more about each other. For more information or for an application, contact the International Student and Scholar Office at intlsso@charlotte.edu or at 704‑687‑7781.

Volunteer as a Study Abroad Intern

This opportunity is targeted toward recent college graduates with study abroad experience (or other international experience) who are interested in a career in international education and want to learn more by working in a study abroad. Duties will be based on Office of Education Abroad needs and intern interests, and may include peer advising, outreach, and marketing. Qualified candidates may apply to our volunteer intern program by contacting the Office of Education Abroad at edabroad@charlotte.edu or 704‑687‑7747.

Volunteer Opportunities with the Office of Intercultural and Educational Experiences

The Office of Intercultural and Educational Experiences (OIEE) offers specialized short term training programs designed to meet the needs of university students or professional groups such as executives, teachers, bankers, and international business people. All programs emphasize education through experience and can be enhanced with conversational or business language training, site visits, internships, home stays and cultural activities. Volunteer opportunities for members of the Charlotte community include the following:

  • Intern in the Office of Intercultural and Educational Experiences
  • Interact with international participants in a variety of social and networking events
  • Serve as a panelist in a discussion with international participants
  • Collaborate in research projects
  • Host an international guest for an afternoon or longer to experience life in and around Charlotte
  • Deliver a guest lecture on your business or your area of expertise
  • Work with us to coordinate a visit to a local business, organization, or school
  • Collaborate with OIEE to develop training or professional development programs for your inbound or outbound employees

For more information, contact OIEE at intercultural@charlotte.edu.

Volunteer as a Conversation Partner for an English as a Second Language Student

The English Language Training Institute (ELTI) provides intensive English instruction for international students planning to attend U.S. universities as well as for those hoping to improve their general English skills. ELTI welcomes volunteers to serve as conversation partners for specific ELTI students and to interact with ELTI students in other ways. For more information about volunteering, contact ELTI at elti@charlotte.edu or 704‑687‑7777.

Prospective volunteers interested in serving as general conversation partners at the monthly “ELTI Talks” conversation programs, should contact ELTI at elti@charlotte.edu.