International Living-Learning Center http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter A new community of scholars at Oregon State University Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:52:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Video: Move in day http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/10/03/video-move-in-day/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/10/03/video-move-in-day/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:47:06 +0000 raskausn http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=124 Scenes from the first day of classes at the new International Living-Learning Center at Oregon State University. Interviews are with Sydney Purdy, testing and learning center coordinator, and Rakan Alshannan, a mechanical engineering student from Saudi Arabia. Video by Graham Kislingbury of the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/10/03/video-move-in-day/feed/ 0 Room Tour: Video & Photos of ILLC http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/08/17/room-tour-video-photos-of-illc/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/08/17/room-tour-video-photos-of-illc/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:06:01 +0000 Mike http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=93 As we approach the opening of the ILLC on September 1st, we wanted to share some photos of the new building. Be sure to check out the bright fun new colors on each of the floors — these colors coincide with the official color palette of INTO-OSU, our campus partner in the International Living-Learning Center.

2nd Floor Hallway
3rd Floor Hallway
4th Floor Hallway
5th Floor Hallway

We’ve also got some great photos of the inside of a double room in the ILLC.

double room sink
Sink in entrance to room
double room bed image
Beds can be bunked for extra space
desk and bed
One student’s desk, chair, and bed
hallway, bathroom
View to sink/bathroom suite

Video Walkthrough

We’ve posted a video walkthrough of a double room. Check it out here!

The first floor also has a great kitchen set up with two stoves, two refrigerators, a sink, plenty of storage space, and lots of counter space for cooking.

Sink and plenty of storage
Ovens and refrigerators

The exterior is nearly complete.

Beautiful windows and landscaping
Great shot of the southside Courtyard
]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/08/17/room-tour-video-photos-of-illc/feed/ 0 Keys to Successful Roommates in College http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/08/08/keys-to-successful-roommates-in-college/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/08/08/keys-to-successful-roommates-in-college/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:00:19 +0000 Mike http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=89 Most student residents living in the International Living-Learning Center will have a roommate from a country and culture different from their own. We’ve been getting some questions about what it means to have a domestic student as a roommate and what it means to have an international student as a roommate. This will be an ongoing learning process for all of our residents and will vary because people vary. That said here are some general things to think about if your roommate is from a different country than your own—and some general things to remember no matter where your roommate is from.

First, let’s look at some general things to keep in mind about living with another human being.

Key qualities of a successful experience

  1. Flexibility, commitment, and willingness to communicate in an honest and tactful manner are all key qualities of creating a successful living environment with your roommate. Creating this will take time and effort—and it might be difficult. It will also be one of the most important things you learn outside of the classroom during your time at OSU.
  2. Sharing a space with another human being can be challenging with different personalities, class schedules, interests, and habits. The key is to remain open to learning from your roommate and situation. Keep asking questions. Seek to understand where your roommate is coming from and do your best to be kind.
  3. At the beginning of the year, you will work with your roommate and suitemates to complete a roommate agreement form. Filling out this form is a great way to talk about what you need to be successful and establish the way you want to communicate those needs throughout the year. Be honest and flexible as you work through the agreement. If you put the effort and time in, you will reap the benefits of creating a strong foundation for communication with your roommate from the beginning. This makes it easier to work through issues that come up later.

Having a domestic student roommate

When I studied abroad in Germany, I remember one of the most difficult things for me was communicating verbally and in writing with my floormates. I knew very little German, and their English was also limited. This might be something you encounter as well with your roommate. I will pass along some wisdom that was passed along to me: keep trying! Keep trying to speak the language. Your roommate will probably understand more than you think.

Some other things to keep in mind:

  • American culture is often stereotyped, when in reality it is varied and nuanced just like all cultures. Ask questions if you’re confused about something your roommate does or how they act in a certain situation. Ask questions if you aren’t sure what you should do in a certain situation.
  • Contacting your friends and family at home might mean late night phone calls or internet chats. This can interfere with both your sleep and your roommate’s. Talk about this with your roommate. There are lots of comfortable spaces throughout the ILLC where you can have a semi-private conversation with your friends and family. One of the benefits of living in the building!
  • Be patient with yourself. Learning a new culture takes time. The key is to continue asking questions and learning. Your roommate can be one of your best teachers. Be open to learning from them.

Having an international student roommate

As I mentioned above, I studied abroad in Germany while I was in college. I learned so much about what it’s like to be immersed in a culture different from your own and navigating that with limited language skills. Our international students come to OSU with varying levels of English proficiency.  Your roommate may speak English just as well as you do, or their English may be more limited. Remember to be patient and ask questions. If your roommate doesn’t understand, try a different, possibly simpler word—or try writing it down. Sometimes, people have a higher comprehension of written language. Please don’t just assume they don’t understand. Just like you, your roommate’s English will improve with practice. You have a great opportunity to help them if they are open to it.

Some other things to keep in mind:

  • Similar to what I said above, cultures are often stereotyped when they are actually quite varied and complex. Do all you can to not stereotype your roommate. Be open to learning about their experiences both individually and as a member of a culture different from your own. Be curious about who they are and where they come from.
  • You have an opportunity to be a great host to your roommate. Most likely, they are a very long plane ride home from their family and friends. You may be only a two-hour car ride. Our INTO-OSU students are coming to OSU to study and to learn about the United States. You can be one of their teachers. Spend time with each other.
  • Remember: you probably have more in common than you think.

Does anyone have any other suggestions or things to keep in mind for our international and domestic students as they approach their roommate relationship? Let us know in the comments.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you can also contact me at dawn.snyder@oregonstate.edu.

]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/08/08/keys-to-successful-roommates-in-college/feed/ 0 Welcome message from Dawn Snyder, Resident Director of ILLC http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/07/26/welcome-message-from-dawn-snyder-resident-director-of-illc/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/07/26/welcome-message-from-dawn-snyder-resident-director-of-illc/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:13:41 +0000 Mike http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=67 It’s hard to believe that new students will be arriving on campus from all over Oregon—and the world—and moving into the International Living Learning Center (ILLC) in less than two months. The resident assistant staff and I are excited to meet you all!

I am Dawn Snyder, and I will be the resident director in the ILLC. As a resident director, I supervise eight resident assistants (RAs), advise our hall government, and help students as they transition into living on campus and attending Oregon State. Whether you are from Tianjin, China or Oregon City, Oregon or Riyadh, Saudi Arabia or Southern California, coming to college will be a time of change. The RAs and I are here to help you navigate that change and OSU.

University Housing and Dining Services will be teaming up with INTO-OSU and other campus partners to encourage your academic and personal success at OSU. In the fall, writing assistants and math tutors will be available to residents on one night a week in the ILLC. The staff and I will be working with you and your roommate, suitemates, and fellow residents to help you learn about each other’s cultures and how to communicate effectively. The RAs and I will be checking in with you to see how classes are going and how you are adjusting. We want to do what we can do to help you make the most of living in the ILLC and thrive as students at OSU.

I’m anticipating that one of the things students will like most about living in the ILLC is the variety of different spaces available to you. There are so many beautiful spaces that are yours to use to study, to hang out, to watch movies, to cook, to play games, and to talk. We have nooks and lounges on each resident wing. We have two-story high lounges on every floor. We have two large main lounges on the first floor. All of these spaces have comfortable seating, great views, and lots of natural light. I’m sure you will all find your favorite spot. Your rooms, with their large windows and private bathrooms, are pretty great, too!

In addition to the array of spaces in the building, the ILLC also features Peet’s Coffee and Tea and Cascadia Market on the first floor. These are open to the public, but you will be able to come down a few floors, grab a coffee, and head back to your room without ever needing to go out in the rain. You will also have access to resident-only kitchens on each floor. Each kitchen is equipped with two stoves, two refrigerators, a microwave, lots of counter space, and a seating area. For those who like to cook, these will become a favorite (and a favorite for those who like to eat your cooking)!

Several students and their family members have asked me “Why would I want to live in the ILLC”? The reasons it may be a good fit for someone varies because people vary. Some of the reasons may involve what I mentioned above. For many students, though, having a roommate, suitemate, and floormates from another country will be one of the most valuable parts of living in the ILLC. Over half of our residents in the ILLC will be international students and this will only increase the quality of the experience for our domestic students, who will be their roommates. All ILLC residents will be exposed to people whose cultures may vary significantly from their own – and will also find that those same people love to do some of the same things you do, like play video games, talk about politics, or go shopping. Living in the ILLC will help you learn so much about yourself – and the ways you are both similar and different than someone from another country than your own. The spaces in the ILLC are beautiful, but in the end I know it’s going to be the people that make it such a great place to live.

The RAs and I are so excited to help you all get to know each other and get to know your new home.

What about living in the ILLC are you most excited about? Anything you’re nervous about that we can help with? Let me know in the comments or email me at dawn.snyder@oregonstate.edu.

]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/07/26/welcome-message-from-dawn-snyder-resident-director-of-illc/feed/ 1 Take a Tour! http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/04/13/take-a-tour/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/04/13/take-a-tour/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:28:14 +0000 evanjose http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=62 Each Friday at 1:30pm UHDS will be offering a tour of the new International Living-Learning Center to members of the University community.  Reservations can be made in-person through the Arnold Service Center or by calling 541-737-0681.  Each tour is limited to the first ten people to sign up and all participants must wear sturdy, close-toed shoes.

]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/04/13/take-a-tour/feed/ 1 Getting Closer http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/02/08/getting-closer/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/02/08/getting-closer/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:56:29 +0000 evanjose http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=59 For those of you following the construction, you’ll notice that most of the windows have been installed.  Construction Crews are well under way framing the interior of the building and in some cases drywall has already begun to go up.  Within the next few weeks the large glass panels in the center of the building will begin to be installed along with the glass alongside the coffee shop and market.

With the September 1st completion date approaching, our Assignments and Room Management Office has begun incorporating building floor plans into the room selection system.  Students will be able to begin selecting their rooms later in March.  For more information about the room selection process check out https://uhds.oregonstate.edu/myuhds/.

For a different perspective on the new facility, start checking for future blog posts from future building staff members!

]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2011/02/08/getting-closer/feed/ 0 October Update http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/10/05/october-update/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/10/05/october-update/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:31:54 +0000 evanjose http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=56 As you can see a great deal of work has been accomplished during the summer.  You will now see that construction crews have the decking in place that will be used to form the 4th floor.  Some quick highlights from the project:

  • Running water:  Some people have noticed what seems to be a water leak inside of the building.  Believe it or not this is intentional.  Allowing water to run over the newly poured concrete helps the concrete cure without cracking.  Many of the floors throughout the building will left as exposed polished concrete, so it’s important that we start out right!
  • Building name:  Early this spring a committee comprised of representatives from UHDS and INTO-OSU met to discuss possible names for the new building.  The committee has nearly completed its work and we are hoping that a name will be approved and annouced within the next several weeks.
  • Sustainability:  While the project team has decided not to pursue LEED certification though the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the building is implementing a variety of sustainability measures that will be equivalent to USGBC’s LEED Gold rating.

As work progresses, we’ll be sure to post another update.  Please feel free to post any comments or questions about the project.

]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/10/05/october-update/feed/ 0 Foundation work http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/06/08/foundation-work/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/06/08/foundation-work/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:49:45 +0000 evanjose http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=53 This week construction crews will be hard at work to prepare for the pouring of the foundation.  Critical tasks include running all of the utilities (water, electricity, sanitary) that will need to come up through the concrete slab to service multiple areas of the building, forming the concrete reinforcements, and installing temporary water and electrical service to the building site.  To ensure that we meet our construction milestones, crews will be working this Saturday (6/12/2010).  None of the construction related activities are expected to have an impact on this weekend’s graduation events.

Monday:   (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • -       Installation of curb and gutter on 16th & A Ave. (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Installation of construction site temp. water and power on site (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)
  • -       Building foundation excavation (excavator, rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • -       Building survey & layout (Cole Surveying, Marion, Fortis)
  • -       Form/Rebar/Place building foundation concrete (Marion, concrete & pump trucks

Tuesday:  (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • -       Installation of curb and gutter on 16th & A Ave. (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Installation of construction site temp. water and power on site (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)
  • -       Building foundation excavation (excavator, rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • -       Building survey & layout (Cole Surveying, Marion, Fortis)
  • -       Form/Rebar/Place building foundation concrete (Marion, concrete & pump trucks)

Wednesday:   (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • -       Installation of curb and gutter on 16th & A Ave. (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Installation of construction site temp. water and power on site (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)
  • -       Installation of construction trailers (level & anchor foundations & hook-up utilities)
  • -       Installation of new telco, electrical conduits and SW mechanical room vault (Berg Electric)
  • -       Building foundation excavation (excavator, rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • -       Building survey & layout (Cole Surveying, Marion, Fortis)
  • -       Form/Rebar/Place building foundation concrete (Marion, concrete & pump trucks)
  • -       Backfill new building foundations (Pacific Excavation)

Thursday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • -       Installation of curb and gutter on 16th & A Ave. (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Prep and pave AC on on Western Blvd. (City of Corvallis, weather pending)
  • -       Installation of construction site temp. water and power on site (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)
  • -       Installation of new telco, electrical conduits and SW mechanical room vault (Berg Electric)
  • -       Building foundation excavation (excavator, rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • -       Building survey & layout (Cole Surveying, Marion, Fortis)
  • -       Form/Rebar/Place building foundation concrete (Marion, concrete & pump trucks)
  • -       Backfill new building foundations (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Installation of underslab MEP utilities (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)

Friday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • -       Installation of curb and gutter on 16th & A Ave. (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Prep and pave AC on on Western Blvd. (City of Corvallis, weather pending)
  • -       Installation of construction site temp. water and power on site (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)
  • -       Installation of new telco, electrical conduits and SW mechanical room vault (Berg Electric)
  • -       Building foundation excavation (excavator, rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • -       Building survey & layout (Cole Surveying, Marion, Fortis)
  • -       Form/Rebar/Place building foundation concrete (Marion, concrete & pump trucks)
  • -       Backfill new building foundations (Pacific Excavation)
  • -       Installation of underslab MEP utilities (Berg Electric and Alliant Systems)

Saturday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Building foundation excavation (excavator, rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • Building survey & layout (Cole Surveying, Marion, Fortis)
  • Form building foundations (Marion)
  • Backfill new building foundations (Pacific Excavation)
]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/06/08/foundation-work/feed/ 0 Construction Update 5/17 thru 5/21 http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/05/17/517-521/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/05/17/517-521/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 23:59:05 +0000 evanjose http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=49 For May 17th – May 21st, 2011, please see the following for what construction will impact.

Significant Impact(s):

  • Limited parking on 17th street (see below for details)
  • Traffic control revisions on Western between 16th & 17th
  • Equipment Noise

Monday:   (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Prep for temporary trailer installation delivery (Fortis layout, foundations)
  • Construct temporary construction driveway into site (rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • Begin mass excavation of the building pad (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)
  • Excavate for new sewer connection to the construction trailer (track hoe, back hoe)

Tuesday:  (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Delivery of Fortis construction trailers (4 over-size truck deliveries)
  • Installation of construction trailers (level & anchor foundations & hook-up utilities)
  • Construct temporary construction driveway into site (rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • Continue mass excavation of the building pad (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)
  • PPL - Method of Procedure coordination meeting for 17th Street existing power (10AM)
  • Installation of site construction signage (Fortis)

Wednesday:   (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Installation of construction trailers (level & anchor foundations & hook-up utilities)
  • Continue mass excavation of the building pad (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)
  • NW Natural Gas – coordination meeting for gas line to be abandoned in 17th Street
  • Installation of construction temp utilities – power and water (back hoe)

Thursday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Construct deck and stairs at Fortis construction trailers
  • Installation of construction trailers (level & anchor foundations & hook-up utilities)
  • Continue mass excavation of the building pad (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)
  • Installation of construction temp utilities – power and water (back hoe)

Friday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Construct deck and stairs at Fortis construction trailers
  • Installation of construction trailers (level & anchor foundations & hook-up utilities)
  • Continue mass excavation of the building pad (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)
  • Installation of construction temp utilities – power and water (back hoe)
  • Excavate parking lot north of A Avenue (back hoe, front-end loader & compactor)
]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/05/17/517-521/feed/ 0 Construction Update 5/10 http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/05/10/510-521/ http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/05/10/510-521/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 17:41:07 +0000 evanjose http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/?p=41 Significant Impact(s):

  • Limited parking on 17th street (see below for details)
  • Traffic control revisions on Western between 16th & 17th
  • Equipment Noise.

Monday:   (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Flaggers & traffic control on Western to sawcut/prep/pour-back for new AC paving patch (sawcutter & AC Paving trucks/equipment)
  • Fill-in & compact foundations at A Ave future parking area where old houses were demo’d (track hoe and back hoe)
  • Construct street section on 16th and A (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)
  • Survey & layout for site electrical re-route work

Tuesday:  (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Flaggers & traffic control on Western for City Water to rework water line (track hoe for digging and back hoe for compaction),
  • Fill-in & compact foundations at A Ave future parking area where old houses were demo’d (track hoe and back hoe),
  • Construct street section on 16th and A (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks)

Wednesday:   (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Flaggers & traffic control on Western for City Water to rework water line and Pacific Excavation to rework storm line (track hoe for digging and back hoe for compaction),
  • Construct street section on 16th and A (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks),
  • Start work adjacent to Halsell Hall for Pacifc Power trenching and conduit runs (track hoe/back hoe) ***NO STUDENT PARKING ON 17TH NEXT TO HALSELL***
  • Build gravel construction entry off 16th (rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)

Thursday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Flaggers & traffic control on Western for radius curb install at 16th and Western (concrete curb equipment)
  • Construct street section on 16th and A (track hoe, back hoe & rock trucks),
  • Start work adjacent to Halsell Hall for Pacific Power trenching and conduit runs (track hoe/back hoe) ***NO STUDENT PARKING ON 17TH NEXT TO HALSELL***
  • Gas company work at 16th and Western for gas line re-work
  • Pacific Power pole removal on 17th
  • Level/gravel pad for A Ave future parking area where old houses were demo’d (rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • Building Mass Excavation (track hoe, back hoe, dump trucks)
  • New curb install on 16th and A (concrete curb equipment)

Friday:       (7:30am – 4:30pm)

  • Flaggers & traffic control on Western for AC patch at 16th and Western (AC patch equipment)
  • Utility trenching adjacent to Halsell Hall for Pacifc Power trenching and conduit runs (track hoe/back hoe) ***NO STUDENT PARKING ON 17TH NEXT TO HALSELL***
  • Gas company work at 16th and Western for gas line re-work
  • Level/gravel pad for A Ave future parking area where old houses were demo’d (rock trucks, front-end loader & compactor)
  • Building Mass Excavation (track hoe, back hoe, dump trucks)
  • New curb install on 16th and A (concrete curb equipment)
]]> http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/livinglearningcenter/2010/05/10/510-521/feed/ 0