Each year, approximately 65 student-residents, four resident advisors, and a hall director from the United States and around the world come together to live and learn in a dynamic and international residence hall at James Madison University.  Coordinated by the International Beliefs and Values Institute or IBAVI at James Madison University (see www.jmu.edu/ibavi/), the mission of the Madison International learning community is to provide a rich array of living and learning opportunities for student-residents at James Madison University so they may:

 

1.       think and act locally and globally;

 

2.       learn from and contribute to the multiple communities in which they are embedded; and,

 

3.       cultivate the values and competencies of informed and enlightened global citizens who are prepared to lead productive and meaningful lives. 

Program Activities of Madison International

Living together in a residence hall at the heart of JMU’s campus (Ashby Hall), the Madison International learning community provides an extraordinary opportunity for a diverse cohort of international and American student-residents to learn from and about each other through a series of exciting experiential and classroom-based activities including, but not limited to, the following:

 

·          international activities (e.g. direct participation in the many initiatives of the IBAVI, study abroad and/or international service learning, “international week” at JMU, the “International Festival” in Harrisonburg);

 

·          stimulating academic course work that is uniquely tailored to the participants in Madison International;

 

·          intercultural residence hall programs (e.g., road trips, distinguished lectures, socials) and other special events that are coordinated of facilitated by JMU faculty and staff;

 

·          service learning opportunities that support diversity and community development;

 

·          individualized advising and mentoring to enhance professional and career development.

Academic Requirements of Madison International

By design, the residents of Ashby Hall complete a number of courses together, which are developed and taught with them and their unique experiences in mind; such courses also satisfy other curricular or programmatic requirements.  In addition to the possibility of developing independent study and directed readings courses for credit, all first year Madison International residents participate together in:

 

·          GCOM 102: Fundamental Human Communication in the fall semester;

 

·          GWRIT 103: Critical Reading and Writing in the spring semester

 

All second year Madison International residents participate together in:

 

·          HRD 145 Leadership in a Diverse World in the fall semester;

 

·          GEIC 202: Making Sense of Beliefs and Values: A Guided Tour for Global Citizens in the spring semester.

 

* These courses are required for all residents of Madison International.  Depending upon TOEFL scores, international students may be encouraged or required to complete WRIT 100 as a prerequisite for GWRIT 103. 

 

Do you have any questions or want more information? 

If so, please contact Dr. Devi Bhuyan at bhuyandx@jmu.edu or 540-568-5201.

You may also contact The Office of Residence Life at res-life@jmu.edu or 540-568-4767.