Standing in two circles facing each other, around 50 UD students spoke animatedly and quickly on every subject from birthdays to food, trying to get a feel for their match... with a catch.

Tuesday's speed meet had the feel of a dating game but the goal of setting up two very different types of students. The outside ring consisted of American students and the other of international students, an introductory event to the Intensive English Program's semester-long conversation partners.

"I had a conversation partner when I studied abroad last semester," senior Lizz Perkins said. "I know how helpful it can be and wanted to do it when I got back."

Perkin's match for the night, Akane Kageyama from Japan, said she likes to ask the American students about the most their culture. Dayton is different from her city.

"It's good here," Kageyama said. "It's quiet and green."

The IEP students have recently come to America and have been conditionally admitted to UD, instructor Susan Sandro said. Before they can enroll in any University courses they must pass their English ones and meeting with an American a few times a month immerses them in the unfamiliar language.

For every question the international students had for the Americans, there was one for them to answer, as well.

"What language do you speak?" junior Peter Kolis asked his match, Hammad Younes, from Jordan.

"Arabic," Younes answered. Kolis rattled off three Arabic words in response and Younes burst into surprised laughter, grateful to hear his native language spoken no matter how butchered it may have been.

"It's so great to see students take an interest," Amy Anderson, director of the Center for International Programs, said. "[The IEP students] want to meet you guys, their peers."

To be a conversation partner, contact Sandro at sandrosl@notes.udayton.edu. She considers the program to be off to a good start after having to shout over the meet-and-greet crowd, "Hello, can I have you attention please. I know it's hard to stop talking."

In addition to looking for students to participate as conversation partners, the IEP also needs volunteer tutors. The half-hour sessions take place Monday through Thursday afternoons from 3:15 to 4:15 on the ground floor of Alumni Hall. Contact Karin.avila-john@notes.udayton.edu to become involved.