Culture and Conversation Tables

Culture and Conversation Tables are hosted by the Moynihan Institute's regional centers and bring students and community members together to explore languages and cultures from around the world.

Tables are held about once a month and each takes a slightly different approach, from language-intensive practice sessions to film screenings and themed cultural presentations. All serve a shared purpose: building community while advancing Maxwell’s mission of exposing students to a wide range of perspectives and preparing them for an increasingly interconnected world.

Over the years, the institute has hosted tables in more than 20 languages, with current offerings spanning Arabic, Hindi-Urdu, Chinese, French, Tamil, Turkish, Russian and more. Many tables are supported by U.S. Department of Education grants aimed at strengthening international and language education. Table hosts include faculty, graduate students and visiting scholars, and sessions can, at times, reflect the urgency of world events.

Originally known as Language Tables, the program was renamed to reflect its broader emphasis on culture, conversation and connection. Whether students are preparing for fieldwork abroad, practicing a language they're studying or simply curious about a part of the world they haven't yet encountered, the tables offer something for everyone.