Discussions about differences in backgrounds and customs are common among the students at the International Residential College.
"There are many representative cultures, and people can learn about many perspectives," said fifth-year Engineering student Lydia Abebe.
Meeting and forming relationships with students from other parts of the globe is an experience a student can expect when living in an environment suited both to students from abroad and those simply interested in learning about other nations.
First-year College student Bitania Ephrem, an international student from Ethiopia, commented on the welcoming and respectful environment she found living there.
Third-year College student Mai El Gasim, a student of Sudanese heritage, said individuals at the IRC are "especially open to differences to things that are not of the American culture, like me wearing a hijab, [a traditional Muslim head-scarf]." Such perceptions help to make the IRC a comfortable environment.
Abebe described the community as being engaging and interactive. Students at the IRC gather for Wednesday morning Breakfasts of Champions, Thursday afternoon teas and Friday social gatherings called "The Week that Was," in which students cover current events that happened both locally and internationally.
Abebe said people at the IRC especially make an effort to be involved. She speculated that the inviting feeling of the IRC could be an extension of the many cultures that place an emphasis on the life of the community versus that of individuals.
"Back home, your neighbors you treat as family, even though they're not related at all," Abebe said.
Students from abroad attend American universities for a variety of reasons. For many, the large academic variety of the university system in the United States is appealing. First-year College student Yasminca Wilson, a student from the United Kingdom, said she likes having the flexibility to study more than one subject simultaneously.
Like Wilson, both Abebe and Ephrem said they agreed that there are many opportunities to pursue interests through the liberal arts degree at the University. In their opinions, professors here are much more open and more flexible than in their respective nations.
While agreeing that more academic choices exist in the United States, El Gasim said "back home there are fewer opportunities but more of a thirst for knowledge." She commented that because there are fewer chances, yet still a high level of competition, it can be quite difficult to come from abroad. She said students should not take for granted the many possible avenues open to them in the United States.
The immersion houses are also opportunities for speakers of foreign languages to experience a different culture right here on Grounds. Students can apply to reside in La Maison Francaise, La Casa Bolívar, the Shea House, the Russian House and the German House.
These living accommodations host frequent discussions and special events for residents and others in the University community. Holiday events, weekly teas and discussions are useful resources for those studying a language and hoping to learn more about a given background.
At the Russian House, located on Grounds, there is a variety of students from different backgrounds.
"The house was designed for students who speak Russian and for students learning Russian," Slavic Languages Prof. Lilia Semyonova Travisano said. "We want to be sure we have an environment where American students can go get help from Russian students and they can speak more."
Third-year College student Erin Franklin who has been living at the Russian House this year, said she initially wanted to learn Russian upon seeing the film "Anastasia" when she was 10 years old.
"We're all crazy," she said about herself and housemates. "You really have to be crazy to study Russian" because it is such a difficult language.
Franklin spoke about some of the benefits of living in a small immersion house with seven other students on Grounds.
"I had never really met another Russian major before in my life," Franklin said. "Our interests tend to be the same. Most of us have studied several languages or are interested in literature."
Franklin added that being an American student living in a somewhat culturally different setting has exposed her to a variety of viewpoints.
Native speakers of Russian "tend to have a perspective that never would have occurred to me at all," Franklin said. "For example, Americans tend to view Russian politics as Russia is backsliding, Russia is being uncooperative with the War on Terrorism, while the Russian perspective is that they attempted to meet the U.S. half way, and we ignored them. There's a tradition in Russia that's not exactly democratic, but it still works."
Fourth-year College student Elizabeth Retter lived in the Russian house one semester of her second year and also currently resides there. As a native speaker, Retter said she has had the chance mostly to speak Russian with other students who have an advanced knowledge of the language.
"There are a couple of people whose Russian is not quite at the level [where] we'd be able to speak Russian with them all the time, but we try as much as we can," Retter said. "Definitely, being able to practice Russian is useful, especially if you're not a Russian major. If you don't get to speak it all the time, this is one good way to keep it up."
Being at the Russian house has been a very positive experience, Retter said.
"The people are absolutely great," she said. "It's just wonderful to interact with people who've been all over the world and who know so much about Russian culture and who speak so many languages. It's a very interesting learning experience."
Retter said Russian teas, held Tuesday nights, serve to remind her of some customs.
"There's a big tradition of sitting at the kitchen table and discussing politics, literature and everything," she said. "Always when we have big gatherings, such as for Maslenitsa, which is our spring holiday celebration, it's always a lot of fun. People perform and read poetry. There are musical performances and sometimes theater."
In addition to the IRC, there are many other extensions of the global community at the University. The Lorna Sundberg International Center, founded in 1972, has a Community Host Program in which local families help students acclimate themselves to life in the U.S. They provide transportation, invite students to family events, celebrate holidays and semester breaks, and shop at local stores.
Throughout the academic term, many international students participate in programs such as International Students Incorporated.
ISI is a program designed with the specific intent of benefiting students from overseas. Students engage in dinners, small group activities and special events such as ice-skating, horseback riding and trips to theme parks. Oftentimes, American host families act as resources for those students living far from home by providing them with rides to and from the airport, helping them acquire furniture and providing meals.
Recently, many students gathered at the home of Jim Newman, a University alumnus from Arlington, for the first Friendship Dinner of the semester.
According to Newman, nearly 75 percent of the international student population has never been in an American home.
"Many [international students] only ever catch a glimpse of American culture based on dorm life and television," Newman said, adding that he hopes they will gain a better and more accurate picture through their interactions with their host families.
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