KALAMAZOO, Mich.—International and domestic Western Michigan University students will be brought together in a globally engaged living experience at the new Global and Languages Community in the Britton/Hadley residence hall beginning this fall semester.
Sign-up is underway for the new housing opportunity, which includes suite-style rooms with a newly remodeled, fully functional kitchen and communal living area. A learning community assistant will live on-site to plan programs and events such as cultural showcases, conversation circles, trips around West Michigan, foreign film nights and study abroad information sessions.
"International students will have the opportunity to become more immersed in University life and develop relationships outside the classroom. This also gives domestic students the opportunity to live with someone from a different culture and learn something about the world outside of southwest Michigan," said Dr. Michelle Metro-Roland, director of Faculty and Global Program Development in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
Global and Languages Community
Offered by WMU Residence Life, the Global and Languages Community is one of 17 Living Learning Communities that enable students to tailor their college experience by living on a floor with students who have similar majors or interests. The Global and Languages Community creates a unique environment in which students can have meaningful interactions with individuals from all around the world. Students studying abroad for a single semester may wish to stay in these dorms during their semester on campus as a continuation of their study abroad experience.
It also provides accommodations to meet the needs of international students, including staying open throughout the winter holiday recess for international students who cannot return home. It also is the only residence hall that does not require students to purchase a meal plan.
Planning for the Global and Languages Community began in 2015 as a joint effort between Residence Life, the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and the College of Arts and Sciences. The community was created to benefit international students, world language majors and study abroad students.
Students interested in a living environment with a global perspective can select the Global and Languages Community when signing up for housing or contact Residence Life at (269) 387-4735 for more information.
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