FAQ

• How do I sign up?

  You can sign up by filling out the form here!

• How does the process work?

  Once you fill out the sign-up form, I will reach out to you via my KU email address (jack dot bauer at ku dot edu) with your partner's information, your selected meeting time, and a meeting location. If you selected an in-person meeting, I'll arrange a room for your first meeting, but after that it's up to you two. If you selected online, I'll provide a Microsoft Teams meeting link. After your first meeting occurs, I'll send you a follow-up email asking for feedback. The hope is that after your first meeting, things will have gone well enough that the two of you can arrange follow-ups yourselves and continue on the language learninig journey!

• How am I matched with a partner?

  During the sign-up process, you'll rate your language ability on a scale of 1-10. KULE will try and match you with someone of a similar ability, assuming there are enough people available. We'll also look at your responses to the questions "Why are you interested in your selected language?" and "What's most important to you in a conversation partner?" to try and match people who express similar interests. Aside from all that, we'll also look at availability and online vs in-person preferences.

• How do I know my partner is a real KU student?

  Everyone in the program will need to provide a KU email address ending with ku dot edu. I'll check if their email appears in Microsoft Outlook / Teams, but I don't have an official way to do this or ensure student status with certainty. But, I'll provide you with their Instagram handle (if they provide it) and you can always look at the KULE LinkedIn group, Instagram page (@kulangexchange), or GroupMe too.

• Where will I meet with my partner?

  If you selected the online option, you'll be provided with a Microsoft Teams meeting link. If you're meeting in person, KULE will provide a location for your first meeting. We'll try and reserve a study space in one of the common areas of places like Anschutz Library, Capitol Federal Hall, or in LEEP2 at the engineering complex. If that's not available, other options include the DeBruce Center, KU Memorial Union, or The Underground at Wescoe.

• What if I don't know what to talk about?

  We'll provide you with a list of conversation topics and icebreakers if you get stuck, but aside from that ask questions and really listen! That's probably the best way to have a good conversation. It's also a great way to make sure you practice your language skills.

• What if I'd prefer to meet in a group setting?

  While this isn't currently an option provided by KULE, KU officially provides different conversation practice groups called language tables. See the Global Awareness Program's (GAP) website here.

• Are meetings recurring?

  I hope they are! But, KULE will only organize the first meeting.

• Is this officially sponsored by KU?

  No, KULE is a student-initiated and student-run program.

• Who do I contact if I have questions / feedback / complaints / anything else?

  Feel free to reach out! You can contact me at my email here: jack dot bauer at ku dot edu