I have been attending USC for two and a half years and I'm pursuing a degree in Media Arts. I have been living in Nada for most of my time here at USC. I'm twenty-five years old (University considers me a nontraditional student!). After high school I took some time off of school and joined the military and that's how I ended up in South Carolina. As a transfer student from the North Adams State College a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts of sixteen hundred people; I was a little overwhelmed at the size of USC. However, during my first semester here I volunteered to participate in an activity at Nada through my hall government at Capstone. After the event was over I got to meet a lot of interesting people who lived in Nada and they told me about the international program here at USC and I ended up living in Nada the next semester. I feel that I owe a great deal of gratitude to the Nada community because I have met so many friends and have immensely enjoyed being apart of this multicultural environment. Now that you know a little about me I would like to tell you a little about Nada and the benefits of living here. Nada is located directly beside Gambrel hall and consists of three-apartment style houses commonly referred to as the Brick, the Blue and the yellow house. The location is arguably the most conveniently located dorm at USC. Gambrel hall, BA building, financial aid, Russell House, and Five Points are all on Nada's doorstep. Additionally, Nada has the luxury of apartment style living. Each apartment comes equipped with a full size dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, and washer/dryer! Moreover, Nada offers Large living rooms with picturesque windows that overlook the courtyard outside of Gambrel hall. There are also three parking lots located within a short walking distance and there is a small store inside Capstone, which is only a short walk away! The biggest benefit however, is the Nada residents! An additional benefit of Nada is the fact that when you decided to travel there is an extensive resource of knowledge in our students and our Alumni. And because Nada residents become such good friends many of us stay in contact for years! Each Nada apartment houses two Americans with two international students. American students are as diverse and unique as their foreign exchange counterparts. Americans at Nada come from places like Colorado, Boston, Michigan and California. I have had the luxury of sharing an apartment with a total of six uniquely interesting exchange students! As always, getting to know and adjust to a new roommate is sometimes a difficult process regardless of differences of national origin. At Nada the process is substantially more difficult because there are several barriers between new roommates that there isn't in a conventional situation. For instance, the most obvious barrier is language. It takes a considerable amount of time to break through these little roadblocks, but fortunately, most of the international students have some grasp on the English language and most Americans at Nada speak a second language or are currently learning one. Other obstacles include introducing exchange students to American culture, learning to live together despite different cultural living habits, and learning to appreciate the diversity of a few different cultures within the confines of one apartment. Because adapting to different cultures isn't always an easy thing to do each American that Applies to Nada have to write a short essay and also have to take an interview to be accepted. The interview for American candidates is relatively informal. However current Nada residents do judge the candidates and they are judged on their overall willingness to participate and there personalities. Because Nada is such as small community it is important that all Nada residents participate and that they are open and excepting of different ideas. Having an outgoing personality is also a benefit for a potential resident because it sometimes takes a lot of effort to open up exchange student before they come to be comfortable in there new settings! Also, Nada does require that each resident participate in at least one event per semester. This event may be Nada hall government, working on a community volunteer day, or helping out at a haunted house or some event like that. What ever you do end up doing making it fun is completely up to you! An additional requirement is that each student must have at least thirty-credits before being considered for a residency here at Nada. Now that you know a little more about Nada and all that Nada has to offer feel free to pick up an application at the housing office on Main Street or at your housing area office! Tours of Nada are open nearly year round just by talking to Nada's current resident director Chris Hill. If you are an alumni and what to get in touch with another Alumni or current students at Nada please feel free to email me at [email protected] and I will do my best to assist you in your efforts! Also, if you just have some questions or comments about my web site please drop me a line!