OISS will be open for normal business hours from Monday, November 25 through Wednesday, November 27. We are open from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

OISS will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Monday, December 2. If you encounter an emergency while our office is closed, please call TUPD at (504) 865-5911

 - The OISS Team

Conversation Hour

Conversation Hour is now Coffee & Conversation. Head over to this page to check out the schedule for Spring 2024!

 

Conversation Hour is a biweekly (every other week) gathering of international students and scholars to have themed conversations. Learn about New Orleans, U.S. culture, and global cultures in a casual environment! This event series is a great opportunity to practice your English and speak in a group environment. Each week, there is a suggested prompt, but feel free to talk about anything you would like! Here is the schedule for the Fall 2023 semester:

New Orleans Foods

When: Thursday, September 14th | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Garage in The Hub (Located Below Lake Residence Hall at 31 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118)

New Orleans is famous for a lot of foods, from gumbo to jambalaya. Come learn a bit about New Orleans food and have a discussion on local restaurants. 

American Idioms

When: Thursday, September 28th | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Garage in The Hub (Located Below Lake Residence Hall at 31 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118)

An idiom is a phrase that is common in a language or culture that means something different from how it literally sounds. For example, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," does not mean you will literally cross a bridge. Instead, it means, "We'll make that decision when the time comes." Come learn about some common American Idioms and share any expressions you may have in your home country!

Sports

When: Thursday, October 12th | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Garage in The Hub (Located Below Lake Residence Hall at 31 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118)

Fall in the United States means it is football season! Football in the United States looks different than many other parts of the world. Come have a discussion on what sports look like in your home country versus American Football!

Halloween Celebrations

When: Thursday, October 26th | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Garage in The Hub (Located Below Lake Residence Hall at 31 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118)

Halloween celebrations take place all throughout the month of October. Originally rooted in the ancient Celtic festival Samhain as a holiday where people would wear costumes to ward off ghosts, the celebration has evolved. On Halloween, Americans wear costumes, go trick-or-treating, and carve jack-o-lanterns. Other countries have similar celebrations like Dia de los Muertos, Borgo a Mozzano, and Walpurgis Night. Come have a discussion about U.S. Halloween and other cultures!

Photos of Home

When: Thursday, November 9th | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Garage in The Hub (Located Below Lake Residence Hall at 31 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118)

Missing home? Join us for a conversation on your home country! We will use cell phone pictures as prompts to guide our conversation. Come share about your culture, your home, and things you miss about your home country!

Family Celebrations

When: Thursday, November 30th | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Garage in The Hub (Located Below Lake Residence Hall at 31 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118)

With the Thanksgiving Holiday in late November, now is a great time to talk about family traditions and family holidays! Join us for a conversation and share your own culture and experiences!