Join students across the country and share your voice in a one-on-one conversation about goals for America.
What are the Unify America programs,
and how do I participate?
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First, you’ll join the Unify Challenge College Bowl, a guided video conversation with a student from another university–a student who likely has a different background, different life experiences, or different points of view from yours. Together, the two of you follow a discussion guide describing big goals for our country. You’ll cover topics like mental health, climate change, police reform, and free speech on campus.
You can choose between two times on any one of these days:
- September 24, 25, 26
- October 1, 2, 3, 9
The Unify Challenge usually lasts about an hour.
Like the Unify Challenge, The Deep Dive is a guided video conversation with a student from another university who's different from you, but you’ll deep dive into a single topic of your choice instead of many. You'll exchange experiences, discuss research, examine your own point of view, and brainstorm possible solutions on this topic.
You can choose to dive into one of these three important topics:
- Guns Ownership & Gun Violence (October 22)
- Elections & the State of Our Democracy (October 24)
- Free Speech & Hate Speech (October 29)
You can choose between two time slots each day. The Deep Dive usually lasts about an hour.
Mieko (University of Utah)
"It made me feel more comfortable to disagree with people... and hear the other side of things."
Jada (Western Michigan University)
"My partner was super cool and we had a lot of the same views. And even the times when we didn't, we were very understanding about being able to listen to each other."
Wyler (UW-Eau Claire)
"I definitely felt nervous going into the challenge...but we had a lot more in common than I would have thought going into it."
What Happens Now?
Here’s what you can expect for both conversation programs:
1. Tell us about yourself.
Start by answering a few questions in a quick sign-up form. This part’s easy! Just answer a few basic questions so we can match you with the perfect partner. Your match may vote differently than you or be someone you’d never meet in your daily life.
2. What you’ll need…
You’ll need a computer with a webcam. (The Challenge and The Deep Dive don’t work on your phone.)
Give yourself about an hour. Some partners chat longer because they get into it. Totally up to you!
And you’ll need an open mind. It’s OK to disagree. In fact, it’s great to disagree. The best conversations are those where people find common ground and engage in productive, respectful disagreement.
3. Have a respectful conversation.
On the night of your event, you'll join the session through a virtual video conference (we’ll email you a link) and meet your matched partner. You may be thinking… “A video conversation with a complete stranger? What will we talk about?” Don’t worry. We make it super easy with a guided discussion about your chosen topic.
Something special happens when you hop on a video call with another American who you’d simply never meet in your daily life. When we’re with our “tribe,” we bond. We hit “like.” We re-tweet. But when we’re outside our bubble... we bridge. It’s a cool experience.
4. Feel hopeful and tell everyone you know what you just did.
This experience is exhilarating. You’ll want to tell everyone you know what you just did. It’s like going on a rollercoaster that looks scary, but after you go on it and zoom through the drops and loops, you're like “I want to do that again!” The Unify America Civic Gym is like that but without the long lines and screaming 13-year-olds.
FAQs
Who will I be paired up with?
Our matching algorithm will pair you with a student you likely would never meet otherwise. They may be from another school, have a different background and different life experiences than you, and may have a totally different political ideology than yours. The two of you may not always agree (that’s the beauty of it!), but you might find you have a lot in common when it comes to what you want for our country.
What if my partner is a rude, insensitive troll?
People sometimes worry that they'll be paired with someone combative and disrespectful. In our experience, this simply doesn't happen in the Unify Challenge College Bowl or the Deep Dive. But on the off chance that it does, please hit the "Need Help" button on your screen, or exit the conversation and contact us at events@unifyamerica.org.
Do I need to know a lot about politics?
Nope. All you need is an open mind, and a willingness to share your perspective and listen to your partner’s.
Will my email address or contact info be shared with my partner?
No. We protect your privacy. Some people really like getting to know each other and may choose to share contact info — but that’s entirely up to you!
Do you screen participants?
People worry about this and wonder if they’ll encounter a troll. To date, we have never had this issue. Unify America attracts folks who are worried about toxic polarization. Most have had politics divide their families and friends. These are people who are part of the “exhausted majority.” On the off-chance you get matched with an idiot, you can always just hit the Help button or simply close your browser.
How much time will it take?
Plan for about an hour. Sometimes it takes less time… and sometimes partners go longer because they are so interested in the conversation.
What kind of computer setup do I need?
You’ll need a desktop or laptop computer, or tablet. (The Challenge and The Deep Dive do NOT work on your phone. We will walk you through everything — it’s easy.
Join thousands of students from hundreds of colleges and universities
Here are a few colleges and universities that are joining the Challenge and The Deep Dive, too.
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