The World Expo is about to start in Shanghai, and we are excited to be here. Shanghai has been under construction for years in preparation for this event, and now the world will be able to see the results of that work.
This year’s Expo theme is Urban Development, and there will be numerous pavilions dedicated to how we can improve the way we live. We think this theme is very timely, given the level of urbanization in China, and the problems it faces in terms of sustainable economic growth. Events like the Expo present a great opportunity for people to exchange ideas about these increasingly universal issues.
italki is also trying to facilitate the exchange of ideas, virtually through the internet. Even though technology has driven the costs of communications to almost zero, language still represents a significant barrier in communication. It’s hard to imagine how people can work well together to tackle global issues if they cannot communicate well with each other.
If you are coming to the Expo (or are just curious), try posting it on your blackboard or in your notebook. Many italki users are interested in meeting in person, and there are lots of members in Shanghai (where we are based)! If you also happen to be in town (for the Expo or otherwise), please come and stop by — we like using Skype, but we’d love to meet you in person!
The italki Team
china, expo, shanghai
Our second Chatfest here in Shanghai was a success with people from at least 5 different countries joining us to practice languages and meet new people. This time with a smaller group of people, there was more opportunity to get to know each other better and ample opportunities to speak foreign languages! While Chinese and English were still the most popular, we also had people speaking or practicing Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, and Italian.
If you’re an italki member, and you think you’d like to organize a meetup in your city, please contact Toffler (at) italki (dot) com or visit the italki Member Events Group. As always, let us know what you think — and keep on sharing languages and cultures!
The italki.com team
chatfest, language exchange, shanghai
To all italki Shanghai members, we’re organizing Chatfest 2 for everyone to come out and meet each other face-to-face. This is our second language exchange meetup in Shanghai. This will be another great opportunity to:
Meet some of the people you chat with
Find new language partners
Meet the italki team
Learn about different cultures, and
Indulge yourself with a Dunkin’ Donut!
We’ll have activities to help you mix and mingle and meet new people. Speakers and students of all language welcome!
We look forward to meeting all of you at Dunkin’ Donuts!
Date: Wednesday, November 18th
Time: 7- 9 pm
Location: Dunkin’ Donuts – ShiMen Yi Lu 239, near Weihai Lu 石门一路239，近威海路
Metro Line 2: Nanjing Xi Lu
(If you’re interested in holding a similar event in your city, please leave a comment below or contact us!)
chatfest, dunkin donuts, event, language exchange, meetup, members, shanghai
For italki Shanghai members, we’re organizing its first event for all of its members in Shanghai to come out and meet each other face-to-face. This will be a great opportunity to:
Meet some of the people you chat with
Find new language partners
Meet the italki team
Learn about different cultures, and
Indulge yourself with a Dunkin’ Donut!
We’ll have activities to help you mix and mingle and meet new people. Speakers and students of all language welcome!
We look forward to meeting all of you at Dunkin’ Donuts!
Date: Wednesday, March 25th
Time: 7- 9 pm
Location: Dunkin’ Donuts ShiMen Yi Lu 239, near Weihai Lu
Metro Line 2: Nanjing Xi Lu
event, shanghai
