It's a house rather than just a dorm. Program houses draw students together with common interests and provide them with an opportunity to develop together in ways that living in the Graduate Center won't, according to several of the representatives. We're more of a community - we're smaller, and we work, clean, and cook together. It's more of a family trying to learn how to live together. It depends on the constituents of the house as well as the theme.
Some houses focus on culture or language while others focus on something else, like technology.
Generally, each house requires its residents to have interest in the house's theme and participate in some of the events it sponsors. We hold lots of events for the African-American community here and people who join are interested in participating in the community here and outside of Brown. Graham cited the program in which Harambee House residents volunteer at local high schools. We get along with each other and are comfortable enough with each other so that we're friends. Living in one can add immensely to someone's Brown experience.