La Casa and La Maison Living-Learning Community
Resident in the La Casa and La Maison living-learning community will be taking appropriately leveled courses in the Spanish or French major programs of study at UNF. La Casa and La Maison are vibrant living-learning communities designed to immerse students in Spanish and French languages and cultures, respectively. La Casa offers students the opportunity to enhance their Spanish language skills through daily interactions, cultural events and community activities, fostering a supportive environment for language learning and cultural exchange. Similarly, La Maison provides an immersive experience for students interested in French, allowing them to practice the language and engage with Francophone cultures through various programs and events. Both communities aim to create a close-knit, inclusive atmosphere where students can build meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and staff, enriching their academic and personal lives and provides professional development experience, opportunities for study abroad and other language-and-culture-immersion experiences.
For fall, we would additionally welcome participation by international fellows facilitated by the International Center, and by student leaders from the French and Spanish programs.
Eligibility & Course Requirements
- Complete the Housing Contract & LLC and Interest Housing Application
- Be an active member of the community throughout the academic year
- Declared major in French or Spanish (this can be a double or dual major).
- Live in TBD with the designated La Casa and La Maison community
- Support/Attend Living-Learning Community events and programs
Expectations
- Completion of the department-subsidized ACTFL-based placement test in the target language (French or Spanish). Students or Housing staff may contact gregory.helmick@unf.edu or dbellamy@unf.edu to arrange this online assessment.
- Residents of La Casa (Spanish) should demonstrate at least intermediate-level proficiency in Spanish on the placement test described in criterion #2. Residents of La Maison (French) need only demonstrate strong interest in their French major or minor and articulate their time frame for degree completion.
Objectives
- Practice the five measurable, ACTFL-defined language skills that correspond with proficiency assessment in U.S. university language programs and various workplaces in the U.S. public and private sectors (reading, listening, speaking, writing, and intercultural communication) within a welcoming social and academic community
- Develop intercultural appreciation, global awareness and a sense of community among students, reinforcing ‘internationalization at home
- Identify opportunities for faculty-mentored research opportunities, study abroad, and faculty-mentored Community-Based learning
- Demonstrate (through the LLC immersive-experiences passport program and similar) engagement with program and campus-wide events and professional development and career planning
- Develop leadership skills and demonstrate good citizenship skills
Campus Partners & Who to Contact:
La Casa and La Maison LLC is a partnership between the Department of Housing and Residence Life and the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.