| MARCH 2003 |
Students Experience
International Living on Campus
By Maggie Davis '03 and Mary Ellen Davis '73Photos by Tom Kimmell
I wish I would have this in France!” declares Emilie Buttin,
head resident (HR) at the 13-student French house. This contagious
enthusiasm, a sense of belonging, and a homey environment all
enhance the opportunity to improve one’s accent and vocabulary
at the six CC foreign language houses. The houses form a mini-community
on the northwest corner of the campus and involve the students
in a total living experience.“For students going abroad the house helps them get prepared for foreign culture, such as hints on what to do and how to behave, because Americans always stand out,” says Katya Batilova, HR of the Russian house, explaining one way the houses benefit the CC international program.
“I want you to speak French,” Buttin told her students at the first French house meeting. From then on she generated the momentum and activities to make French fun.
Usually held on Wednesdays, French table means cooking a French meal and eating together at the house. The students also cook for open houses and special events like Mardi Gras and La Chandeleur.
The house has the Francophone channel on cable TV. Buttin finds that students want to learn what is new in French pop culture. She hopes students think beyond France, so Quebec, North Africa, Switzerland, and other French-speaking destinations come up often in Buttin’s conversation. She emphasizes the value of the collaborative efforts of the CC language houses in promoting the international program.
“It really feels like you are coming home,” says Elianna Vagalau, a senior and previous HR of the Italian house. Photographs of the Amalfi Coast and Italian art posters donated by professors adorn the walls of the living room. The couches and tables make the house homey and comfortable, but there is a catch.
“They have to speak Italian if they want their light bulbs changed!” Vagalau grins.
Once a block Greg Soukup, general manager of Sodexho Campus Dining, teaches students to cook Italian food while lecturing on history and ingredients.
“We really know how to have a good time,” says Matteo Bartolini, the new HR. Special events include game nights, cappuccino tables, and celebrations such as Easter. However, the house is serious, too. Bartolini plans to push the students to improve their accents and vocabulary. It is especially helpful for those students who are going abroad to practice communication skills, he says.
“Students can touch the culture” when they live in the Japanese/Chinese house, says Kiyomi Fujii, a second year HR. And taste it! Fujii makes her own sushi and family-style Japanese food for the house dinners. She plans an origami workshop and demonstrations of kimono dressing, ikebana, and a tea ceremony.
Residents fall anywhere from beginner to advanced in their ability
to speak Japanese. Fujii says many have studied in Japan or
will later. Students tend to live in the house more than one
year, maybe because it is lovely. A stunning red and gold kimono
graces the north wall, and, on tatami mats, a Kotatsu table
rests on a platform, ready for a cozy dinner. The house holds
special meaning for the faculty and Colorado Springs’ sister
city, Fuji-Yoshida, which sent many of these furnishings as
gifts.Students from countries such as Nepal and Korea gather at the house for get-togethers. On the second floor students studying Chinese predominate. They, too, have a language table and join in the social and cultural activities. Even the CC dance department gets involved, performing traditional dances for special events.
“The intention of the language houses is to be like home,” says Claudia Sumano, HR of the Spanish house. The white stucco building is friendly and informal and Sumano extends her welcome to her students’ friends. She came to CC from Oaxaca, Mexico, and is enthusiastic about sharing the diversity of Hispanic cultures.
The Spanish house celebrates holidays such as the Day of the Dead, Three Kings Day, and Candelaria. Weekly language tables create wonderful opportunities for students to speak with Sumano, professors, and each other. The students cook in teams, fostering a family feeling.
“I love it here — students are like my family,” says Sumano. In the applications from prospective residents she looks for students who want to practice Spanish, participate with the group, and contribute what they know of the Spanish world.
“I like the house atmosphere — close and cozy… It’s really fun,” says Katya Batilova, the Russian house HR.
Batilova’s favorite event this fall was a piano recital with students playing works by Russian composers. Russian teas explore culture, from card games to cooking. Students, faculty, and speakers give talks on subjects such as Russian mythology and the Cold War. Along with the weekly Russian table in Rastall, the house hosts dinners accompanied by Russian folk music.
The Russian department sponsors an annual film series with subtitled movies, and Batilova has a supply of Russian videos, sans subtitles.
She notes that the students living in the Russian house are majoring in many areas, even math and biochemistry.
“Sometimes those students don’t get so much chance to study history or art, so living here gives them more.” As Batilova well knows — she is an international economics major also studying pre-med.
“People living here consider themselves to be privileged or lucky,” explains Patricia Stoeckl, HR of the Max Kade House. The house is named for the foundation that provides generous funding for this and other German language activities. It boasts its own rose garden, complete with a fountain. The spacious living room is full of comfortable couches where students have reading sessions in the evening. The kitchen is large and well equipped for the 17 residents to cook apfelstrudel and typical German fare.
Like the other houses, learning and maintaining the language is an important facet of everyday life. Stoeckl, a German exchange student, helps residents learn current popular culture and idiomatic expressions as well as proper pronunciation. Once a week the house hosts a kaffeeklatsch where students, professors, and community members turn up, filling the house with lively conversation. Stoeckl coordinates celebrations such as Nikolaus Day, Advent, and Fasching.
Visiting musicians and exciting guests enrich the residents’ year. Last fall Director Frank Beyer (Jacob the Liar), an East German nominated for an Oscar, came as part of the German Film Festival.
All the HRs agree that the language houses are a haven for foreign students and those who study abroad. The language house group creates a larger sense of community, sharing celebrations and even trips to the CC cabin. Here professors come over just for fun, allowing students to gain their support and friendship. Clearly students’ lives are enriched by these benefits. As well as providing a place for speaking a foreign language, the houses are a focal point for the international program, strengthening CC’s ties to the world community.
Maggie Davis ’03 is a senior majoring in literature who plans to pursue journalism after graduation. She spent last summer studying Italian on the CC Italy program, and will continue with the intermediate level of that program this summer. Her aunt, Mary Ellen Davis ’73, is editor of Springs Magazine in Colorado Springs.
Click here to see all the language house head residents.
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