The PALS Program brings together international students and American students at the University of Texas at Austin for the purposes of cultural exchange and to practice English conversation skills. Normally, we match one international student with one American (UT) student. Faculty, staff, and other members of the UT community are also welcome to apply.

WHAT DO PALS DO?

Matched PALS make a commitment to meet with each other at least an hour a week throughout the semester or summer session. Group activities scheduled by the PALS coordinators provide an opportunity for both matched and unmatched PALS applicants to meet other PALS participants and socialize. Click here for comments from recent PALS participants.

The "PALS: Partnerships to Advance Language Study" Program was created in August of 1993 by ESL Services in the International Office at the University of Texas at Austin to further cross cultural exchange by introducing international students to American students. No program designed to pair newly arrived international students with American students existed at the University at that time.

The University of Texas International Office provides services to nearly 4,000 international students each year. The PALS Program was created in response to a need repeatedly expressed by incoming international students for a medium to meet American students and to improve their English conversation skills. Less frequently, American students also contacted the International Office seeking international contacts or language exchange.