By Christian Woltz//

Hood College offers students the option to live in an off-campus language house in order to immerse them in their respective language.

Two houses are available including the French house and the Spanish house.  Students say that living in these houses gives them to opportunity to increase their ability to learn and speak a foreign language.

According to Hood’s website, the language houses have been an option for students for over 30 years.  While living in these houses, the students are encouraged to only communicate in that language.  In turn, they say that this will better enforce their speech skills.

The duplexes are equipped with six rooms including two singles, two doubles, and two triples, capable of housing a max of 12 students.

Hood College Spanish house.

They have a very spacious living room and kitchen area, but most students say that they do not use them that much.  Similar to off campus apartments, each house gives students the opportunity experience life away from campus.

Lukline Jean-Baptiste, a Hood College junior, is currently living in the French house while pursuing her major in French.  She says that the experience has been amazing so far, and has drastically increased her ability to speak French.

“I grew up in a French-speaking home, but after speaking English with everyone else, it became somewhat of a struggle to get back into the groove,” Baptiste said.  “Now that I am in this environment, I am forced to speak French constantly, which has even helped me in my classes.”

Sammy Pierre, also a junior at Hood College, lives in the French house as well.  He says that he enjoys living in the house with all the others and the experience of living off campus.

“Living in the house with other people that speak my native language has been such a great experience,” Pierre said.  “I also enjoy being close to the school but far enough to have the space when I need it.”

Since the houses are leased by the school, the cost of living is simply added to the student’s tuition for that year. They also have to by their own food and other needs as well.

The students, however, are not the only ones living in the houses.  Mikel Azkarate, is a teacher’s assistant living in the Spanish house.  Originally from Spain, he is currently studying Humanities at Hood while assisting the Spanish students with their studies as well.

“Living with people who either share my culture, or who want to learn more about it, has been really amazing,” Azkarate said.  “I am able to be myself and speak my native tongue without judgment, which has made this part of my life very special.”

Jean-Baptiste says that while she enjoys living with the others in the house, she wishes that she was around more people.

“Our schedules keep us from hanging out that often, and we typically only see each other on the weekends,” she said.  “Other than that, the French house has been a great way for me to practice speaking French, and I hope to use that knowledge to help others one day.”

Students who are not studying a foreign language but have passed the language entrance exam are encouraged to apply to live in one of the houses with a special form.

The language houses are open for applications by anyone that aspires to further their knowledge in their field of study.