New Housing Option has Global Outlook
Living Large
Orchard North has branched out. The apartment-style building is home to the new Global Living Center, whose 60 student residents are diverse in their geography, language, culture and gender.
“We live in an increasingly smaller world, and our students need to be able to communicate in that world,” explains Director of Residence Life John Piga. “We’re fostering that learning by creating a microcosm of the planet in a residence hall.”
The initiative was devised by a committee that comprised Piga; Papa Sarr, director of the Center for International Students and Scholars; Leslie Doolittle, assistant dean of academic services; Natalie Schlegel, director of the Cronin Office of International Education; Doreen Floyd, assistant dean of students; and Don McNemar, senior lecturer of global studies. The center’s target audience is students who have studied or lived abroad, who are multilingual, or who simply want to connect with international peers. Close to 100 students applied for the 60 spots available this fall.
Surprising Insights
Some residents, like Yashika Mody ’12, are veterans of a “global living” floor located in Slade Hall. Mody – who is East Indian and grew up in Singapore – touts the surprising insights that spring up in conversations among her roommates, who hail from Brazil, France, Mauritius and the United States.
“We’ve talked about the differences in our education systems and about great places to travel,” says Mody, who has a double major in Management and the Liberal Studies concentration Global Perspectives. “It’s a great way to build experience in how to interact with other cultures.”
Orchard North offered the right mix of size and amenities for the expanded venture in global living. Each of the 12 apartments has three bedrooms, accommodating up to five residents. Dedicated laundry and kitchen facilities make the building ideal for international students like Mody, who often stay on campus during holiday and semester breaks.
Richard Adjei ’10 is one of the center’s two resident assistants. He finds that informal conversation often produces the most understanding.
“We get into religion and politics – our own and America’s,” explains the Ghana native. “We talk about Iraq and Somalia, about Venezuela and Chavez. I knew I would meet a lot of people here and learn a lot from them.”
Other Home Improvements
Bentley students taking a more inward journey are prime candidates for “wellness housing.” Since 2006, the option has served up to 20 students per year in the Cape and Castle residences. The program’s capacity tripled for 2009-2010, courtesy of a designated floor in Slade Hall. Students who chose wellness housing explore topics such as nutrition, exercise, time management, and spirituality.
Other campus residences received new carpeting, paint and furniture as well as upgrades to study lounges and common areas. Ron Ardizzone, director of housing and student systems, led the effort.
The fall semester also brought an expanded menu of dining choices. The new Mongolian Grill is an Asian-inspired stir-fry station, while Sandella’s Flatbread Café serves highly portable fare on brick-oven bread; both are located in the Student Center.
New eateries and refreshed living spaces help students see the value in community living, according to Residence Life Director Piga. And the numbers suggest that the message is received: About 80 percent of full-time undergraduates opt for Bentley housing.