by Agke Grow
Staff Writer
For three years it has been known as a spot as diverse as a United Nations meeting. People from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and the Pacific Islands meet there on a nightly basis.
Everyone speaks English, but many know it as a second language. And perhaps the most interesting fact about this place is that such different people can get along so well.
Since 1997, the University of La Verne has maintained an international residence floor program that pairs volunteer American students with international students in rooms on B-Top of the Oaks Residence Hall.
ULV currently has 181 international students, but only 30 of them are undergraduates, who are more likely to live in the residence halls.
“Almost all BCA [Brethren Colleges Abroad] students live in dorms,” said Phil Hofer, international student services director, “and most BCA students, that is to say exchange students, are undergraduates.”
With a lower number of undergraduate international students at La Verne, down from about 75 only five years ago, it became possible to create a residence hall environment that allowed the international students to become very familiar with each other.
Included on B-Top are BCA students, international students who chose to attend ULV and American students.
The roommates are placed in an environment that gives international students access to American culture, while at the same time offering American students an opportunity to learn about other cultures and traditions.
“It’s a good hub,” said Julie Thurman Francisco, director of housing and residential life. “Most international programs start there.”
Through programs sponsored by the International Student Organization (ISO), and by living together, students on Oaks B-Top resident hall often form friendships that last far beyond the time spent at ULV.
Henry Nuñez, ISO president, said, “We’re doing things like going to Disneyland and the beach, which is usual, but at the same time we’re trying to do things like taking trips to Las Vegas and Yosemite.”
Verónica García, a BCA student from Ecuador, said, “We’re going to Las Vegas in one week, and we’re also going to Hollywood.”
The activity on the floor’s lobby serves as evidence to the friendships that are made in ISO.
On a nightly basis, residents congregate and talk, cook, study and watch television together.
“The first instinct people on this floor have is to be friendly,” said Nuñez. “There are more attachments here.”
The camaraderie is remarkable, considering that almost all exchange students are new to each other, and they hail from all corners of the globe.
Among the countries represented on B-Top are Ecuador, Germany, Switzerland, France, Indonesia, Japan and the United States. A Hawaiian local also makes his home in B-Top.
Christian Rausch, a B-Top resident who comes to La Verne from a town near Frankfurt, Germany, said, “You know everybody here. The environment is very friendly.
“The University is small, and not how I expected it to be.”
“So much water is used to make the sponge that is La Verne green,” he said
Rausch is enjoying his experience at La Verne, and one of his goals at ULV is to “learn about the culture.”
Karen Bihr, a French student studying international business, also lives on B-Top.
“College life is completely different in France,” said Bihr. “There is no on-campus housing.”
The differences are positive for Bihr, and she is enjoying the change of pace.
“Everyone knows each other, and we do activities together.”
Bihr does, however, have one complaint. “I miss my food,” she said.
This grievance is common among international students.
“The food is terrible,” said Rausch.
Despite the few complaints, the international students said they are enjoying their stay in the United States.
“I would call the international floor program a success,” said Thurman Francisco.
“I’m really glad I’m here,” Bihr said.
If nothing else, B-Top residents prove that people from radically different backgrounds can come together, become friends and get along.
Agke Grow
