The Community Bridge program is for International Gateway and Drexel Graduate Bridge students at the English Language Center. It connects these conditionally admitted students to Drexel University faculty and staff, fully matriculated Drexel students, and members of the Philadelphia community. The goal of the program is to foster intercultural competence and appreciation within the Drexel and Philadelphia communities.

The program provides students, employees and community members with incredible opportunities to learn about different cultures as well as a chance to share their expertise on their own cultures. In addition to this, all participants will be able to form lasting and meaningful relationships.

We create "families away from home" for international students. A "community family" consists of four to five people: ELC students, and a combination of fully-matriculated Drexel students, a university employee or community member.

Families  meet monthly from October to April for an activity that they have chosen. Participants can attend a variety of free Drexel events, share a meal together, enjoy an event in the city, and lots more.

Check out our photo gallery of past "community family" meetings.

Student leadership within the program

Matriculated students can choose to be their group's family leader!

The English Language Center has partnered with the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement to develop Drexel students' leadership and intercultural communications skills.

• Student leaders will be responsible for increasing connections between students, faculty, professional staff, and community members.
• They will have opportunities to develop new skills, gain leadership competencies, and use what they have learned in the classroom in real-world scenarios.

For more information, contact elc@drexel.edu or call 215-895-2022.