Get a taste of global culture and cuisine during an assortment of noontime gatherings getting underway across campus.

The International Coffee Hour program introduces international students to American phrases, college customs and holiday traditions while boosting their confidence in speaking and language skills. Staff members from the Office for International Students and Scholars facilitate the bi-monthly gatherings from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the living room of Towers Residential Suites. Plan to join the group on Oct. 26, Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, with additional activities and excursions to explore the Detroit area planned.

A recent coffee hour found dance student Ana Paula Magalhaes (above) of Brazil chatting with business student Jeremy Guerinot of France and language student Andreas Krug of Germany. All are exchange students at WSU this year.

Interested in China, its language and culture? Stop by the Confucius Café Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 195 of Manoogian Hall. Sponsored by the Confucius Institute, the café offers programming relative to China, including the opportunity to practice speaking the Chinese language. Refreshments are served, and most of the gatherings feature a special presentation. Speakers of all language levels are welcome.

Weekly Russian Tea is a 25-year tradition that began with a student's request for a conversation group, and continues from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in room 443 of Manoogian Hall. Students, faculty and local residents of all language levels practice their Russian speaking skills over tea and sweets.

Looking ahead, find out Nov. 10 about careers that require knowledge of a foreign language during Foreign Language Career Day hosted by the Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Employers and organizations are going to be on hand for the program, 3 to 5 p.m. in Hillberry Ballrooms A, B and C of the Student Center.