The Global Neighborhood: Programming Initiatives with International Living-Learning Communities

The United States is currently enrolling more international students than any other country in the world. In 2011, approximately 764,000 international students were enrolled in higher education in the U.S., comprising 19% of the world's total students studying internationally (Institute of International Education, 2012). This rise, as well as the rapid globalization occurring within the United States, has brought about a need for students and staff in higher education to be equipped to communicate cross-culturally and have an understanding of global issues. International living-learning communities (I-LLCs) are a way for universities to provide opportunities for domestic students and international students to live together and gain global knowledge through first-hand experiences and programs directed at international issues. While I-LLCs are not necessarily common across the U.S., many institutions are in the process of creating such programs in order to expand the global focus of their institutions. The purpose of this article is to lay a foundation of what I-LCCs are and to discuss ways to effectively program within these communities.What Are International Living-Learning Communities (I-LLCs)?Living learning communities (LLCs) were developed to provide students with a community to connect personal, professional, and academic experiences on a daily basis. I-LLCs specifically have stemmed from international houses, the first being established at Pennsylvania University in 1908 by Dr. Waldo Stevenson. Dr. Stevenson befriended a group of Chinese students and after learning of their difficulties, he opened up his apartment as a safe space for cross-cultural discussion. Soon after, an international house opened up in New York, and over the course of the next century spread to six different countries: the U.S., France, Australia, England, New Zealand, and Canada (Lott, 2012). As an offshoot of international houses, I-LLCs have become an opportunity for Housing departments to provide a safe haven for cross-cultural dialogue within their on-campus housing. For the purposes of this article, an I-LLC is considered to be an internationallyfocused campus community where international and domestic students live together within a residence hall.The benefits of I-LLCs are numerous. In addition to an increased knowledge of other cultures, research findings have shown that students involved in multicultural education initiatives gain numerous benefits including reduction of prejudice, an ability to think critically about social issues, and increased confidence in uncertain situations (Hornak & Ortiz, 2004). Programs are typically offered that encourage the development and involvement of students on international issues. These issues include, but are not limited to, cross-cultural communication, cultural awareness, international politics, social justice and international education. With the proper facilitation and planning, these issues can be discussed in a safe and educational environment, allowing both domestic and international students to learn from each other. These communities are a tremendous opportunity to positively influence the students who are involved; however, I-LLCs are unique and require extensive sensitivity and planning in order to reach their full potential.Steps to Effective ProgrammingDo Your ResearchIt is vital for student affairs professionals to know what is currently working at other institutions. Bowling Green State University sponsors "The Residential Learning Communities International Registry" (2012) on their Residential Learning Communities International Clearinghouse website, which provides information on other I-LLCs and how they function. Programmers do not need to reinvent the wheel; it is important to take advantage of the successes of other institutions. Being able to research and take best practices of other I-LLCs can be a priceless asset, but it is important to keep in mind that each institution is different. …