Community

Dorchester Hall

Dorchester Hall is conveniently located behind McKeldin Library and a stone’s throw away from McKeldin Mall. Stamp Student Union is across the street. It is, in other words, located in the heart of the UMCP campus. Amenities in Dorchester Hall include air conditioning, a full kitchen in the basement, a computer lab, and a classroom. The Global Communities staff works in offices located within the residence hall. However, Dorchester Hall facilities are still under the supervision of the Department of Resident Life, which staffs the building with resident assistants and a professional Resident Director. Global Communities proudly shares Dorchester Hall with the Jimenez-Porter Writers’ House. 

Living and Learning 

What exactly is a living and learning community? A living and learning community is a program in which undergraduate students live together in a residence hall and take part in academic activities and/or extracurricular events designed for them. Often, the activities and events are centered around an interest shared by all of the students. The point of living and learning programs is to make easier the social and academic transitions to college life, while at the same time enhancing students’ experience with unique opportunities.  

At Global Communities, students share an interest in global cultures, pertinent issues facing people around the world, learning to communicate across cultural boundaries, and all things with an international flavor. By taking a one-credit colloquium course each semester and participating in field trips together, students in Global Communities get to know well the people with whom they are living. This turns a large campus into a smaller, manageable, and welcoming community.

Community Involvement

Students in Global Communities demonstrate a commitment to community by actively serving on one of five committees: Cultural Programming, Global Film and Music, Exchange Student Welcome, Global Ambassadors, and Discussion Leaders. Committees are chaired by one or two second-year students, who are responsible for organizing meetings and delegating tasks. Students should expect to contribute 15-20 hours a semester to their committee. Committee sign-up will take place during our fall and spring community meetings. A brief description of each committee follows. 

Cultural Programming
This committee is responsible for designing and implementing events for Global Communities students that expose them to different world cultures. A minimum of two events must be hosted each semester, with at least one of the events in the fall semester being the annual International Dinner. Students will meet to decide upon the content of events, dates, required tasks, supplies, and a budget to be submitted to the Director. Other ideas for cultural events include: holiday celebrations, athletics and other games, and demonstrations of traditional rituals.

Global Film and Music
This committee is primarily responsible for organizing 3-4 International Movie Nights each semester. This involves selecting a movie, creating a flyer to advertise the date and time, setting up, and cleaning up after the event. Additionally, this committee is charged with the task of introducing students to global music and arts by suggesting field trips, inviting guest artists, or organizing other events.

Exchange Student Welcome
This committee organizes activities that ensure exchange students feel well-acquainted with our community and are exposed to cultural sites in the area. Committee members should speak with exchange students to gauge their interests and find ways of fostering interaction between all students in the program. Past activities have included a day-trip to Washington, DC to see the monuments and museums.

Global Ambassadors
This is the recruitment and outreach committee for Global Communities. Members volunteer to sit at the Global Communities outreach table for various events, including the First Look Fair, Study Abroad Fair, and Maryland Day. Members will be expected to have a thorough understanding of the program and be dedicated to sharing their experiences with students, parents, faculty, and staff. Members of this committee may also speak in classrooms about the program and help with the admissions process.

GC Athletics and Recreation
Recognizing that sport represents and important facet of culture, this committee has the charge of organizing athletic and other games for members of Global Communities. Activites could include creating an intramural sports team or coordinating a group cheering section at an event for UM or Washington, DC teams.

Events and Opportunities

Global Communities is more than just a residence hall for globally-minded students. It is a residence hall for students who seek adventures and unique opportunities. The Global Communities Staff facilitates such opportunities and encourages and supports students in designing their own adventures. To sign up for field trips, consult the bulletin board next to the elevator in the basement.

Summer

Terrapin Expeditions for New and Transfer Students (TENTS)
Global Communities, in partnership with the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC), offers an outdoor orientation program for in-coming students. Typically, TENTS involves a multi-day excursion to one of Maryland’s national parks or forests. This opportunity is an excellent way to meet fellow in-coming students and learn about the University before the year begins.

Fall

Dorchester Welcome Event
This is the fall semester kick-off event. We host a barbeque for Dorchester residents and new exchange students. Outdoor games, good conversations, and the annual Global Communities photo make the Dorchester Welcome Event a memorable way to start your experience in the program.

GC Amazing Race
GC Amazing Race is the annual scavenger hunt in Washington, DC. In-coming students are split into teams with second-year student leaders and provided riddles that will take them on a tour of the city. Road blocks along the way create challenges and opportunities to meet teammates. Top teams win prizes!

High Ropes Challenge Course
Venture to the High Ropes Challenge Course to test your nerves and bond with fellow students. Facilitated by the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC), this event is specially designed for Global Communities students to learn about each other and enjoy the great outdoors.  

International Dinner
A yearly event hosted by Global Communities, the fall international dinner is a tour of the world through its diverse cuisines. Students prepare favorite dishes to share with others and expand their tastes.

Americana Trip
This trip is designed with Global Communities exchange students in mind. Each fall we sponsor a short trip off-campus to expose exchange students to some facet of American life. Past trips have included going to a haunted forest, visiting Williamsburg, and travelling through Amish country.

Winter

Study Abroad
For winter term 2009, Global Communities is sponsoring a study abroad trip to Istanbul, Turkey. The trip is a two week course on debates between Islamists and secularists in the realm of education. You earn three credits for the trip and satisfy requirements for Global Communities.

Spring

Welcome Back Event
Start spring semester on the right foot with games and food. This event takes place directly after our spring community meeting, during which we review notation requirements and other important information for the semester.

Exchange Student DC Trip
Welcome a new group of exchange students to the program by showing them the best of Washington, DC. Visit museums and monuments while bonding with someone from another part of the world.

Sustainability Hiking Overnight
Join the Global Communities and Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) staffs for a hiking trip in scenic George Washington National Forest. We will camp overnight and learn about Leave No Trace policies and everyday tips for sustainable living. 

Ongoing Events

International Movie Nights
Watch the best in foreign films with a bowl of popcorn right in the basement of Dorchester Hall. Organized by students throughout fall and spring semesters, international movie nights are an easy and entertaining way to venture abroad.

Embassy Visits
Each semester, Global Communities tries to sponsor a field trip to a different embassy in Washington, DC. Visits often include a tour of the facilities and an opportunity to speak with a staff member about their home country. Past embassy visits include: Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, and Denmark.