Learning a new language goes beyond the classroom. It involves taking on a new global perspective and learning about the culture behind each new word. For sophomore Juliana Bergman, the International Learning Community (ILC) has been a supportive environment where she has not only developed her proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, but has also found a community with other students passionate about international studies.
Bergman has been an ILC resident for two years and currently serves as a program assistant for the community. She chose to live in the ILC to foster her Mandarin Chinese language skills outside of the classroom.
“I really wanted to practice my language skills outside of an academic setting but also build connections and relationships with both Mandarin Chinese and native Chinese speakers in a place that I’m living,” said Bergman.
A campus home for cultural and language learning
The International Learning Community finds its home in Kronshage Hall in the Lakeshore community. This community is focused on shaping students studying foreign languages or interested in international affairs into global leaders. It was founded in 2002 to create a collaborative living and learning environment focused on global cultures and world languages. The learning community currently offers Arabic, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and modern Nordic languages.
“The ILC is a place that offers unique opportunities for both domestic and international students that offer the opportunity to take seminars, have shared meals, and conversations with faculty members,” said Leo Schauer, program manager for the ILC.
The ILC offers a variety of events and activities to help residents foster relationships with different language houses, including roundtable dinners and community socials. Residents also take one-credit, non-graded seminars that gather faculty and residents to discuss a wide range of international cultural topics. Seminars are theme-based and rotate each school year. This year’s theme is centered around hope and compassion and how to turn ideas into action.
The ILC connects students with global education opportunities, such as study abroad, in addition to learning foreign languages. Many students in the ILC also goon to participate in research opportunities. Last year, a student collaborated with a professor to research letters from German immigrants that moved to Northern Wisconsin from Europe.
Immersive experiences and new perspectives
One of Bergman’s favorite activities in the ILC are the bi-monthly Roundtable Dinners. Residents gather to experience food from different cultures. In addition to a group meal, residents expand their global awareness with presentations on different cultural backgrounds.
As a program assistant, Bergman also enjoys coordinating Tea Times, where residents gather to drink tea and converse with other language houses. She values the opportunity to converse with international professors and peers in a supportive environment that encourages community building through language practice.
“Now that I’m running events as a program assistant, it has been a really cool shift from participating to doing it myself,” said Bergman. “It’s really great talking with everybody.”
Why be a part of the ILC?
For Bergman, being a part of the ILC has allowed her to become more involved in her community and expand her global knowledge through interactions with her fellow peers.
“All of the international students and those from around the country bring in so many perspectives, and I think, individually, I’ve grown so much from all the people here,” said Bergman. “Just learning about their perspectives and their experiences has been really great.”