Conversations Unbound

Conversations Unbound programs empower forcibly displaced individuals as paid online Arabic or Spanish language tutors for college students in the United States. These tutoring sessions support university’s existing language learning programs as an integral component of their curricula, while facilitating cross-cultural bonds of solidarity.

By placing forcibly displaced individuals in a tutoring position, we challenge the traditional flow of aid and we offer an opportunity for these people to regain some sense of agency. Compensation for the tutor’s time is key to our program. We hope that this small amount of additional income will help the tutors financially and that this payment illustrates that the world values these peoples’ skills.

By integrating CU programs in language-learning curricula, these conversations provide students with a robust educational experience. Our hope is that these sessions become more than simply a homework assignment—by meeting the tutor face-to-face online, transnational relationships can form. Distance, borders, and language no longer stand as a divisive force, and we hope that both parties embrace this opportunity to blur these traditional boundaries.