Post Classifieds
International students occupy North Wing
By Maureen Vitali
On March 25, 2012
The smell of fresh tomato sauce wafts through the first floor lounge of North Wing
Residence Hall from a steaming pot on the kitchen stove.
Laughter can be heard from the main lounge where a group of students are playing
pool. Others are reclined on couches watching a soccer game on the large television
in the corner of the beloved gathering spot.
One cannot help but notice a vibrant mural of hand prints near the entrance to the
building, left from international students around the world.
What sets North Wing apart from other suite-style buildings on campus, like the
Towers and the Student Apartment Complex, is that North Wing provides themed
suites. Students in the Honors Program, theater majors, music majors, Native
Americans and international students all have suites set aside for them.
International students who live in the international suite benefit from year-round
living accommodations and specialized programs catered to "international students
and other students interested in international studies and exchange programs,"
according to information from the Buffalo State Admissions office.
Despite the various amenities North Wing provides, there are currently only three
international students who live in the international suite, and they're all from the
same country. There is some debate concerning whether living in specialty suites
with other international students or among American students is more beneficial to
them.
Affonso Bennett-Williams, a junior from London who studies business management,
lives in North Wing Hall. He said that North Wing provides the best of both worlds:
he prefers to live with English students, but he has grown fond of his American suite
mates as well.
"I like living with both, but I do find it easier to live with other English people
because we share the same customs and we remind each other of home," Bennett-
Williams said. "But I am glad that I live with Americans too because I get to learn the
American culture."
Bennett-Williams added that he likes living in North Wing because it's nice and
calm, and he enjoys the private lifestyle that suite-style living affords him.
Nick Butler, a sophomore studying photography, is the resident assistant on the
international floor. He said he really likes the idea of international students living
together in the diversity suites, because it's easy for them to build an international
family away from home.
"I was really excited when I found out that I would be working with international
students this year," Butler said. "It's nice to interact with students from different
places around the world, but it's really sad when they go back home."
Butler said he wishes there were more international students in the international
suite, but it can be difficult to fill spots because not all international students choose
to live in North Wing. These students may choose to live in residence halls that
feature a higher percentage of American students.
In addition, international students sometimes only study in Buffalo for one
semester, so it can sometimes be tricky to find international students to replace
them halfway through the year when on-campus housing is in high demand.
This year has been no exception. In the fall semester, international students filled six
out of the eight slots in the international suite. When three of the six went back to
their home country, they were replaced by American students.
According to the Residence Life Office, housing for international students is
determined based on whether they are a current student at Buffalo State, or if they
are new to the campus.
If they are a current student (meaning they already live on campus), they go through
the same housing selection process as all other students. However, if they are new
to the campus, they are typically placed in North Wing.
The time of the student's acceptance and their personal preference of where they
want to live are also taken into account. If all of the 16 specially-reserved spaces
in North Wing have been filled, the international students are placed in the most
appropriate residence hall based on their preference.
Jean Gounard, the director of the International Student Affairs Office, said that of
approximately 250 international students that go to Buffalo State, only about 80
live on campus. Of the students who live on campus, many prefer to live among
American students in an effort to really get a feel for the American culture and
language.
One of these students is Kevin Gonzalez, a freshman from Guayaquil, Ecuador, who
is studying history. Gonzalez said he loves living in Neumann Hall, a corridor-style
residence hall, because he can truly immerse himself in American culture.
"I'd rather live with Americans because I want to learn the language," Gonzalez
said. "If I'm with kids that speak really sloppy English, I'm not going to learn that
much."
Gonzalez said he attributes his dramatic improvement in his English language
proficiency to living among Americans.
Josue Almeida, a sophomore from Quito, Ecuador, studying fashion design, also said
he feels strongly that international students should live among Americans. However,
he thinks that other international students should be incorporated into the mix as
well.
"I believe international students should live with everyone," he said. "It would be
good for international students to live with Americans because if they don't know
that much English, they could practice with them."
For comments on the story contact bscrecord@gmail.com.
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