That's right! A few weeks ago, I received my acceptance letter to the newly-opened Zelkova House on ICU's campus! As of yesterday, I had completed my personality questionnaire ("Do you smoke? Do you play loud music? Are you a morning person?") and hopefully will know something about my roommate before I leave the states.
Now, I know what you are thinking: Alexandra, why does a Japanese dormitory have such a Russian looking name? I don't really know. Dorms and other buildings for colleges (especially in countries where land and building costs are high) tend to be gifted to the university by wealthy graduates trying to give back to their alma mater. The naming rights may also be sold to wealthy graduates who like the idea of having a building named after themselves or their family. Another thing to remember is that ICU is an international college, so maybe the funding came from an international graduate.
Since I am still in America, I don't have much information about the dorm or the campus. Let me instead direct you to what ICU had to say for its new dorm:
On March 18, ICU celebrated the completion of the new student dormitory Zelkova House. The co-ed, double-room dormitory has a capacity of 126, housing men on the first floor and women on the second and third floors. Freshmen can live in the dormitory for up to two years. Dormitories at ICU have traditionally been more than a housing facility, as part of the all-round international education the university provides its students. Construction of Zelkova House forms part of the academic reform in the CLA (2008) and the Graduate School (2010).
During the ceremony to lay the foundation stone, university pamphlets and newspapers were placed under the foundation stone near the entrance. Reverend Takeshi Nagata offered a prayer to bless the new dormitory as a place to harbor students in difficult times.
In the celebration that followed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mr. Toru Hashimoto and President Norihiko Suzuki made speeches. Mr. Yuzuru Hiraishi from the designing firm Nikken Sekkei told participants that the American architect George Yu designed the structure of the dormitory with emphasis on symbiosis with nature, communication and security, avoiding cutting down trees as much as possible, allowing for an airy feel with plenty of sunlight in the building, and providing a good security system. Mr. Hiroshi Tada of Taisei Corporation, the firm undertaking the construction, expressed his firm belief that the building would become a meaningful place for intercultural exchange. On March 27, part of the dormitory will be open to the public on Open Campus Day.
Needless to say, I am simply tickled to have a dorm room that comes completely furnished! Now I just need to find a place to stay for my first week in Japan...
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