The International Learning Community(ILC) supports language study by offering dedicated language programming in Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Nordic (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish), Russian, and Spanish.
These programs offer regular opportunities to speak the target languages in both social and classroom settings, making them ideal for students planning to study abroad, seeking to maintain their fluency after studying abroad, or for anyone simply looking to improve their language skills.
All items must be completed by your due date (May 1 for most admitted students). You can be assigned to any learning/theme community even if you did not preference it.
Sign your University Residence Halls contract and submit your advance payment in My UW Housing.
Rank the International Learning Community first when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing.
Prioritize learning communities over residence halls when you submit your hall preferences in My UW Housing.
Complete and submit a language community application/agreement in My UW Housing.
You will be notified via an email to your @wisc.edu account indicating if you have been approved to participate in a language community.
Indicate if you want a random or preferred roommate in My UW Housing, and create/join a roommate group if you have a preferred roommate(s). Make sure all preferred roommates have matching preferences.
Returning Residents
Apply for and fill out a language community application/agreement form and attach it to your housing application in My UW Housing during the returning resident Notice of Intent time frame.
You will receive a decision email sent to your @wisc.edu email address before returning resident room selection begins.
If you apply after the Notice of Intent deadline you will still be considered, but we cannot guarantee a decision prior to room selection.
Indicate if you want a random or preferred roommate in My UW Housing, and create/join a roommate group if you have a preferred roommate(s). Make sure all preferred roommates have matching preferences.
Sign your University Residence Halls contract and submit your advance payment in My UW Housing.
Live the Arabic immersion experience with a native speaker and learn about Arabs and their cultures.
A great opportunity to learn and improve your Arabic skills and a door to meet and interact with the Arabic community in Madison. Live with students who share similar interests in Arabic language and culture.
Tiandi (literally “Chinese heaven-and-earth”) is a community devoted to learning Chinese language and culture.
Chinese language learners of all levels (including native speakers) will share in meals, cultural activities, film screenings, and casual conversation. 欢迎光临中文天地!
The oldest language community is for those interested in the German language and its many cultures.
Residents are called “Stockies.” and cook & eat meals and travel to interesting German sites. Students of all levels of German are welcome to apply to become Stockies themselves. Herzlich Willkommen!
K-Community provides opportunities to enhance students’ cross-cultural understanding and Korean language proficiency.
A Language Program Coordinator works with students to plan activities and provide tutoring. Residents enroll in a 1-credit course on Korean culture taught by faculty in the Department of Asian Languages & Cultures.
Norden Community is a residential language immersion program for students studying Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish.
Fluency in Scandinavian languages isn’t required. Norden also involves a 1-credit seminar that explores different facets of Scandinavian society. You’ll also take trips to some of the rich northern European heritage sites throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states, showing folk Scandinavian traditions.
In Russkii Dom, students of all levels of Russian are welcome as long as you have an interest in Russian language and culture.
You’ll gather at meals, cook Russian food, go to Russian music concerts, visit local Russian food stores, watch Russian films, and chat in the hallways about daily life.
Improve your Spanish listening, comprehension, and conversation skills in a safe and fun environment where you will live and interact with people that want to learn Spanish.
Activities include cooking, cultural, and movie nights, spontaneous chats, and more.
Native speakers of languages or those with advanced language proficiency (typically graduate students) assist with related programming under the guidance of a faculty director. Residents who sign up for language communities can expand their speaking, listening, and writing skills by participating in informal weekly dinners in the target language as well as by taking advantage of special tutoring hours and group outings to ILC and campus-wide events.
