What a great way to finish the semester! Congratulations to the residents of Holcombe International Living Learning Community!

Holcombe International Living Learning Community received the Residence Hall of the Year Award from the Residents’ Interhall Congress on Monday, May 2, and the Holcombe International Living Learning Community Program Coordinator received the Advisor of the Year Award from the Residents' Interhall Congress as well. In addition, the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement awarded the U of A Japan Tsunami Relief Program the Outstanding Registered Student Organization Collaborative Program Award for 2010-2011. It was great for these valuable and rewarding programs to receive acknowledgment by different organizations on the U of A campus.

Holcombe has experienced a wonderful year with global-minded residents. The Hall Senate students did a wonderful job to create a community, and Resident Assistants provided excellent support to our diverse group of students. Of course Holcombe has received a lot of support from the Housing office, International Students & Scholars office, Residents' Interhall Congress and other individuals, offices, and organizations on campus.

Holcombe represents the world at the University of Arkansas. Fifty percent of residents are American students, and fifty percent are international. They live together, and they learn from each other every day. It is a unique place, and with 140 co-ed students from as close as Fayetteville and as far as Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, it is truly a home away from home.  The mission of Holcombe International Living Learning Community is to "create an environment that fosters cultural awareness, develop a broader world outlook, and build strong, lasting bonds among citizens of the world." 

To achieve this mission, various programs and events were hosted during the 2010-2011 academic year: Pakistan Flood Relief Appeal, International Peace Day with Al-Islam Student Association, A Night in My Village with students from Cameroon, International Potluck & Night Market to celebrate International Education Week, Holcombe Peace Dialogue Day with Dr. Burris and Dr. Dorjee , Holcombe Korean Night, U of A Japan Tsunami Relief,  U of A Rwanda Awareness Week, and Holcombe Dance Around the World.  Our on-going signature program, Holcombe Geography Series, allowed students from twelve different countries the opportunity to share their cultures with the campus community.

These programs would not have been possible without active residents, dedicated staff, and supportive international members on campus.

Taylor Tarkington, freshman Holcombe Hall Senate president, said, “Holcombe takes pride in the number of events that we host throughout the year. It is a wonderful feeling to be named Residence Hall of the Year by RIC. This means that others recognize all the hard work done by Holcombe Hall. It was a great accomplishment and we are honored to receive this award.”

Comprehensive internationalization on campus is a critical issue. It is important for international educators and higher education institutions to prepare students with cross-cultural communication skills in this global era. Our students recognize this responsibility and are actively engaged in establishing mutual understanding among different countries by offering interactive, educational programs for our entire community.

Holcombe International Living Learning Community is happy to be part of internationalization on campus and to offer unique opportunities of “study abroad experience without going abroad” at the University of Arkansas.