Scholars Village: An unforgettable experience
Post by Taylor Springs
Photo by University Scholars Program
You received your acceptance letter, Check. You make the decision to attend the greatest place on earth: North Carolina State University, Check (of course). You want to have the ULTIMATE college experience, so looking for on-campus housing is a MUST. But where to go? Where to live? Live in a village? To not live in a village? That is the question. A question you must ask yourself and answer quickly because housing fills up fast. There are a multitude of dorms that will accommodate students of all kinds. There is Avent Ferry, Lee, Owen, and the list goes on and on. Some of the dorms even house living and learning villages, nine to be exact. Villages are small, interest-based communities that present the opportunity for students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to work and learn together through informal and formal interactions.
University Housing states that “Villages enhance your learning experience by supporting and integrating students’ academic and personal development. A rich variety of Villages allows you, the student, to engage in active and collaborative learning with peers, faculty, and staff. Formal and informal interactions foster a sense of community, creating an intellectually stimulating environment that sets the stage for your learning and success.” http://www.ncsu.edu/housing/villages/index.php
If you didn’t know already, I myself lived in a learning village: University Scholars Village to be exact.
Sullivan Hall. Photo by University Housing
The Scholars Village is currently located on Floors 2-4 of Sullivan Residence Hall and is limited to first year University Scholars. In order to even live in this village, the student must be a University Scholar. Visit the website to find more information about admittance into this program.
Every village resident will participate in a Village In Action (VIA) group (their peers, an upper class Scholars Village Assistant, and a professional staff member) , where the resident will take part in a series of events ( international dinners, theatrical performances, rock climbing, obstacle courses, and discussions of contemporary issues). These events are centered on social, cultural, and educational aspects, created to help University Scholars become more well-rounded students, active participants, and leaders in the community.
According to the University Scholars Program, residents choose to live in this village because:
- Scholars Village Assistants live in the Village and organize a variety of educational and community-building events, from Cookie Nights to student-led discussions on topics such as Intervention in Africa and the Decline of Medical Discovery.
- The USP Office is located in Sullivan Hall, and USP professional staff are available to assist students and help them make the transition to college life.
- Sullivan Hall houses a state of the art computer lab, a multimedia classroom, and is located near Fountain Dining Hall.
- The Scholars Council organizes a wide range of social and service activities for Village residents, including a Halloween Carnival, an annual USP Semi formal dance, volunteer opportunities with Service Raleigh and Relay for Life, and the End-of-the-Year Games & Picnic.
- Students are part of a smaller community that promotes academic excellence and reflects a diversity of academic interests and viewpoints
On a more personal level, living in the Scholars village was very eye opening.
- I had to seven roommates who were crazy smart in their major and crazy in just about everything else. But I would not have traded them for anyone else. They motivated me to excel even more in my academics (we had grade competitions and 3 am study sessions) and we have had MANY adventures across campus and in Raleigh.
- I met incredible people, including my sorority sister who joined at the same time as me!
- As a village resident, I was able to try new foods from various parts of the world
- Experience First Friday in Raleigh (where you got to see art collections and art scenes near the capitol)
- Conquer my fear of heights by going rock climbing and doing the obstacle courses
- Volunteering at STOP Hunger
- Surviving the Humans vs Zombies event- an annual event across campus where students have to combat the zombie apocalypse. Unfortunately I was not knowledgeable or skilled enough to participate in this adrenaline filled competition……and I still have not overcome my fear of zombies, so I didn’t mind being an observer.
- I even got see people play quidditch…I didn’t even know that was possible!!!
- I got my 10 seconds of fame in the 125th Anniversary video for NC State near the village!
Some of my roommates from last year: Lauren and Lindsey
Photo By First Friday
My 10 secs of fame on the 125th Anniversary video
The Scholars village is a great place to live, but you have to make sure that a village/dorm fits your personality and interests. You are going to be living there for a year, so it is a nice thing if you like it! If you want to stay on campus, you need to choose housing and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience!
