The building that was once known as The University of Alabama’s “Little United Nations” sits beside Bryant Hall, standing as a melting pot of students from countries all across the world.
Now known as the Rotary House, the program was founded by the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa in 1973 and gives international and UA students a chance to get to know each other under one roof.
According to the Housing and Residential Communities website, students are chosen to live in the coed house depending on their level of interest and ability to impact their community.
Looking to take on its biggest project ever, the Rotary Club began raising money for the house and eventually reached $70,000.
James Shamblin, Rotary Club’s president at the time, said the house was initially formed for two reasons.
“At the time, there was a real need for housing on campus, so it met two needs in that it gave beds to students, but it also gave an opportunity for people to understand each other,” Shamblin said. “We remodeled and furnished a fraternity house that was given to us by the University and put UA students and international students together.”
The house then switched homes in 2008 to a second fraternity house between Bryant Hall and the bus hub. The house still calls the old fraternity house home and fosters relationships between UA and international students.
The Rotary House serves as a haven for international students who have difficulties with housing and the responsibilities that come with it. The house also serves as a meeting place for different organizations, Shamblin said.
Sarah Davis, a junior majoring in elementary and secondary education, serves as the house manager for the 2013-14 school year. Though the students are still trying to adapt, bonding with each other is as easy as cooking a meal, Davis said.
“We’ve hosted two dinners and have found that people connect exceptionally well over food, and we’re hoping to use that to make students – from near and far – feel at home in the Tuscaloosa community,” Davis said. “We all take advantage of the diversity to compare cultures and experiences, but we also enjoy generally having a good time together.”
Countries represented in the house this year include the United States, England, Italy, Japan, China, Thailand, Colombia and the Bahamas.
Valerie Walters, a UA graduate and former Rotary House resident, said the house also serves as a networking tool.
“I met lots of people, not just those who lived there, but also through the individuals that lived there,” Walters said. “It’s a great place to foster friendships, meet people and have a living experience unlike any other on UA’s campus. It’s certainly not for everyone and should be cherished and appreciated by those who have the opportunity to take advantage of the house.”
Those interested in the Rotary House can call UA housing at (205) 348-6676.
