International House

Rowan’s newest student housing is actually pretty old.

The former Iszard Home, which was reportedly built in 1855 for Judge Joseph Iszard and run briefly as a bed and breakfast, reopened this semester as the International House, living quarters for international students and scholars.

The stately home at 124 State Street, a grand white structure with black shutters and ornate black iron trim, features inlaid hardwood flooring, high ceilings and a winding wood banister that leads to the upper floors. There’s a large, fully equipped kitchen on the main floor and a smaller pantry on the second level for students to cook in, socialize or grab a late night snack.

Tim Torre, director of Rowan’s International Center, said there are more than 80 international students at Rowan this semester from as many as 23 foreign countries including China, Turkey, Angola, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Italy.

“International students contribute a really interesting perspective to the campus,” Torre said. “They see issues and lessons from a perspective that American students don’t usually have.”

Further, he said, the presence of international students often spurs interest among American students to seek out study abroad experiences of their own. It’s the type of experience that can help build insights into other cultures as well as career development, Torre said.

“Graduates are facing new global realities and the opportunity to engage with students from other cultures helps them develop global competencies that will make them more competitive in a changing world,” Torre said.

He said the International House was created to help build a sense of community among students from other nations and to be more than just a residence.

“These students are sharing the experience of being newcomers to the United States and living together they have a chance to bond,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity to share with each other their own culture.”

In addition to housing,Torre said the home may be used for such events as guest lectures, themed movie nights and other programming that celebrates the international experience.

Travis Douglas, Rowan’s director of Residential Learning and University Housing, said the International House provides secure, comfortable living space that will work especially well for students in their first year in the United States.

“Students will have the option to stay but they could decide to move on to other housing once they’re familiar with the campus and the Glassboro community,” Douglas said.

Fulbright Scholar Jie Li, a graduate student from China who was the first student to move in to the International House, said it has everything he needs.

“I’m happy about the kitchen because I cook almost every day,” he said. “It’s also within walking distance to Shoprite – maybe 20 minutes – and that’s good too.”