May
1
6:30 PM18:30

Virtual Game Night! co-hosted by RGC and The U of R Language Center

Get your game on and join us for a fun night of VIRTUAL games on Friday, May 1st!

It's been a hard few weeks being socially distanced from family and friends, and you may be experiencing loneliness or feeling isolated in your home. This is why a night of playing virtual games with friends can be a great way to feel connected to the community and close the social distancing gap.

The event is free and there will be prizes to win! You can join as a team with a friend or by yourself, all from the comfort and safety of your home. We will be playing games using Tabletopia, an online table games platform, that features hundreds of table games for free. Some of them include classic games like Poker, Parcheesi, Gin Rummy, and top hits like Go Nuts for Donuts, Marrakech, and Santorini. If you can’t recognize any of these games, don’t worry! We will be going over all of the rules of the games, plus they are fast and very easy to learn on the spot.

Please register by Thursday, April 30th using this link: https://forms.gle/nVcdbR3YFurpydR27

Don’t miss out! Everyone is welcome to join.

Email friendship@rocglobal.org with any questions.

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Mar
18
to Apr 17

A Message to our Students, Members, and Volunteers Regarding COVID-19

Rochester Global Connections has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Rochester and its potential impact on our events. The safety of our students, members, volunteers, and staff is of great importance and as we continue to follow the leadership of our public health and government officials, all RGC events through April 17 have been cancelled or postponed.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding in this evolving global situation.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in this dynamic situation, and as always, thank you for your support of the global community in Rochester. We look forward to welcoming you back for amazing events with our community of students and international visitors. Please continue to check this page for regular updates.

Events affected include:

  • International Game Night, March 20th - POSTPONED

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Thanksgiving Dinner Hosting
Nov
28
11:00 AM11:00

Thanksgiving Dinner Hosting

Every year RGC connects current international students from the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology with RGC community members who are willing to open up their homes during their family's Thanksgiving celebrations. Thanksgiving host dinners aim to facilitate the transition of international students from their home culture to Rochester and connect volunteers with the international student community!

Information for Students

Most American families celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering with friends and family and eating a turkey dinner. Members and friends of Rochester Global Connections welcome international students, scholars, spouses, and children into their homes for this traditional American feast. Spending Thanksgiving with a host is a great opportunity to learn about how the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated in the U.S., develop meaningful friendships, and enjoy some turkey!

If you are interested in having a Thanksgiving host this year, please take a few moments to fill out the online student sign-up form by Friday, November 15th. We will then contact you with your Thanksgiving host by email no later than Friday, November 22nd and notify you of the time and location of the dinner.

Information for Hosts

Thanksgiving hosts have a rewarding experience to meet students from around the world and introducing their family and friends to people from different cultures. By hosting just one or two students, you can help make a world of a difference!

If you are interested in hosting an international student (or multiple students!) register as a host or a student by filling the form online dinner host application by Friday, November 15th. We will then contact you with your student assignment by email no later than Friday, November 22nd.

Please note:

  • If you register and your plans change so that you are unable to host, you must notify the student(s) and RGC by phone or email no later than Friday, November 22nd.

  • Signing up for the Thanksgiving Host Program does not necessarily guarantee you a host or a student. Student-Host matches will be made on a rolling first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, please contact Alexandra at friendship@rocglobal.org or call us at

585-275-8779.


Enjoy some pictures of last year’s Thanksgiving dinner hostings!

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Global Leadership Showcase
Aug
22
5:00 PM17:00

Global Leadership Showcase

Iraqi high school students from the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program and local students from Allendale Columbia School will present on their experience participating in a two-week intensive global leadership and cultural exchange program focused on Peacebuilding and Community Resilience.

Join us to hear stories about how this program impacted the youth and their inspiration to make positive change in their community!

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Global Networking Series: Youth Empowerment in Ukraine
Jun
12
6:00 PM18:00

Global Networking Series: Youth Empowerment in Ukraine

Join Rochester Global Connections for a night of informal networking and a brief presentation from scouting professionals from Ukraine, who are visiting Rochester through Open World's international exchange program. You will have the opportunity to meet with five delegates working in various organizations focused on youth leadership. 

RSVP at: https://gns-ukraine.eventbrite.com

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Annual Global Citizens Gala
May
1
5:30 PM17:30

Annual Global Citizens Gala

Rochester Global Connections (RGC) is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Global Citizens Gala, an evening to celebrate and recognize fellow global citizens, while supporting essential exchange programs in Rochester that promote international understanding and a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Proceeds for the event will go towards building capacity to help emerging leaders from around the world and people in Rochester have enriching life experiences that build bridges across cultures and promote international understanding.

More details and tickets at https://rgcglobalcitizens.eventbrite.com

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Global Networking Series: Rule of Law in Latin America
Apr
2
5:30 PM17:30

Global Networking Series: Rule of Law in Latin America

Join Rochester Global Connections for a night of networking with legal professionals from Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, who are visiting Rochester on the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. You will have the opportunity to meet delegates from the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, and Peru.

RSVP at https://rgc-rule-of-law.eventbrite.com/

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International Game Night
Mar
22
7:00 PM19:00

International Game Night

Play board games from around the world with international students and locals! "Travel" to different countries with your game passport and enter to win a raffle prize! Light refreshments will be provided.

This event is co-hosted and co-sponsored by Rochester Global Connections and the Town of Henrietta's Youth Asset Team.

Register at https://internationalgame.eventbrite.com

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International Women's Day: Building a Gender Balanced World
Mar
8
5:00 PM17:00

International Women's Day: Building a Gender Balanced World

  • American Association of University Women (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In celebration of International Women's Day, engage with women leaders in Rochester who are trailblazers in government, labor, media, and law. Explore the impact of creating a more gender balanced boardroom, gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, and gender-balance of employees.

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From Inclusion to Equity: The Diversity Advantage (co-sponsored)
Jan
26
2:00 PM14:00

From Inclusion to Equity: The Diversity Advantage (co-sponsored)

  • M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

RGC is proud to co-sponsor this event.

Join us for a community discussion on the Diversity Advantage, when inclusion is transformed into full equity. The discussion will be sparked by Althea Tait (African American Literature), Mary Scipioni (Landscape Architecture), Luticha Doucette (Disability Advocacy), Tatyana Bakhmetyeva (Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies), and Mara Ahmed (Activism/Art/Film). Be a part of the conversation and meet your Rochester neighbors. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Gandhi Institute, Department of History – University of Rochester, Rochester Global Connections, and American Association of University Women.

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