This year marks the official opening of the Global Village – a learning community that has been in the making for nearly four years. The Global Village is located in the Conklin units and is the home of 36 students from 11 different countries including the United States.
The University offers learning communities that are specific to different cultures such as La Maison Francais and La Comunidad, but the Global Village is the first multi-cultural community.
Director of Global Initiatives, Dr. Jeffery Grilliot and the Director of the International Studies program, Dr. Kristie Foell became co-directors of the learning community after sharing a vision to create a multi-cultural housing program at BGSU.
“It’s not only the international students that bring diversity to our community but also our American students who come from various backgrounds,” said Dr. Foell.
Grilliot said the learning community is at 90 percent occupancy, which is excellent for its first year. In addition, five student groups and three classes utilize the Global Village as their place to meet.
The Global Village is only open to international and freshman University students, but due to the good response so far, Grilliot says they’re considering future expansion.
“The goal of this community is to expose American and International students to each others’ culture,” Grilliot said. “The more students we have, the more cultural exposure.”
While most American students are roomed with an international student, it isn’t uncommon for students from the same country to room together.
Junior English major Sayaka Kawami says that she enjoys living in the Global Village because it has eased her transition from Japan to America.
“All day I have to try to keep up with people speaking English and here I can relax at the end of the day. It’s nice to have a Japanese friend,” Kawami said.
For some American students like Molly Albertson, a freshman studying International Studies, living in the Global Village offers experience that can’t be found in a classroom. Albertson shares her room with a student from Japan.
“I’ve learned more about culture here in three days than I did studying four years of foreign language in High School,” she said.
The Global Village plans to hold special events, social gatherings and field trips over the school year. Their Opening Ceremony by Candlelight will be held this Wednesday, Aug. 22 and is open to the public.
