Despite what Ohio University claims online, international students aren’t required to live in the same residence hall once they get on campus.
The website is “unfortunately outdated,” said Jneanne Hacker, associate director of assignments.
Before OU changed the requirement some time ago, international students were required to live in Hoover House so they could get to know other international students.
“It’s more of a practice than a policy,” Hacker said.
International students were able to request a room change once living in Hoover for a short period of time.
Now international students are able to choose a room anywhere on campus from the start.
“We promote diversity here on campus, and we know it’s a great opportunity for all students to interact with each other,” Hacker said.
About 8 percent of the OU student population was considered international in 2011, the most recent data available. Athens has seen a continued increase in international students since 2007 when slightly more than 1.5 percent of the population was international students.
Yaxi Wang, a freshman from China, was assigned to a single in O’Bleness House Fall Semester. She said she believes language is the biggest barrier between American and international students.
“Many students here cannot speak English very well so they don’t want to talk with Americans because they think their English is poor,” said Wang, who studies game design. “Our different cultures make it difficult too.”
One international student believes it’s helpful to have an American roommate to learn about his or her culture.
“My roommate introduced me to all our neighbors and took me into their rooms so they could get to know me. He is a very good friend for me,” said Edward Song, a freshman studying computer science. “I want to learn about American culture, so I need to have good relationships with Americans.”
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