Mozaiko
In Mozaiko, we bring the world to your residence.
Located in Harper Hall, U.S. and international students live together in a diverse community where they learn about each other’s culture, immerse themselves in language practice, and prepare for a lifetime of intercultural leadership.
If you are interested in becoming involved, email mozaiko@vt.edu for more information!
Each Mozaikan lives within a house of their choosing. For more information on the houses see below:*
In the Arabic House, students practice Arabic together and explore the cultures of Arabic-speaking countries. Native Arabic speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language while being immersed in a curious environment. Arabic House members are encouraged to join the Middle-East related student clubs. Students taking Arabic classes or pursuing an Arabic minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the Arabic program can be directed to Program Director, Dr. Nadine Sinno, at nadine7@vt.edu.
In the French House, students practice French together and explore Francophone culture. French House members are encouraged to join Le Cercle Francaphone, or the chapter of Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honour Society. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. Students taking French classes or pursuing a French major or minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the French program can be directed to Program Director, Dr. Corinne Noirot, at cnoirot@vt.edu.
In the German House, students practice German together and explore German culture. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. German House members are encouraged to join the German student organizations and attend Kaffeeklatsch which is hosted monthly in the Atrium of Major Williams Hall. Students taking German classes or pursuing the German major or minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the German program can be directed to Program Director, Dr. Esther Bauer, at bauere@vt.edu.
The Intercultural House is designed for students whose foreign language is not represented in Mozaiko. Students in the Intercultural House are welcome and encouraged to attend conversation hours of the other language houses if they are interested.
In the Italian House, students practice Italian together and explore Italian culture. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Italian House members to be a part of the Italian Club and attend Tavola Italiana. Students taking Italian coursework or pursuing the Italian minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the Italian program can be directed to Dr. Melissa Coburn, Associate Professor of Italian at mcoburn8@vt.edu.
In the Japanese House, students practice Japanese together and explore Japanese culture. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Japanese House members to be a part of the Japanese Cultural Association. Students taking Japanese courses or pursuing the Japanese minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the Japanese program can be directed to Yasuko Kumazawa, Instructor of Japanese at kumazawa@vt.edu.
In the Mandarin House, students practice Mandarin together and explore Chinese culture. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Mandarin House members to be a part of the Chinese cultural groups. Students taking Mandarin courses or pursuing the Chinese Studies minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the Mandarin program can be directed to Program Director, Dr. Tingting Zhao, at tzhao@vt.edu.
Students in the Russian House practice Russian together and explore Russian culture. Native speakers are encouraged to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Russian House members to be a part of the Russian Club. Students taking Russian classes or pursuing the Russian major or minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the Russian program can be directed to Director of the Russian Program Dr. Robert Efird refird@vt.edu.
In the Spanish House, students practice Spanish together and explore Hispanic culture. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Spanish House members to be a part of the Spanish student groups including Spanish Club or Ole at VT. Sigma Delta Pi hosts Spanish game night bi-weekly in the Mozaiko building. Students taking Spanish courses or pursuing the Spanish major or minor are encouraged to apply. Questions regarding the Spanish program can be directed to Program Director, Dr. Aarnes Gudmestad, at agudmest@vt.edu.
* Mozaiko accepts students with all levels of language proficiency (from beginner to bilingual/fluent). We encourage you enroll in language courses with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures but there is no language requirement to enroll in Mozaiko.
** Mozaiko students are welcome and encouraged to attend language hours in other language houses.
Arabic House
- Mondays 7:15-8:15 p.m.
- Harper 4th Floor Lounge
French House
- Mondays 8-9 p.m.
- Harper 3rd Floor Kitchen Lounge
German House
- Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.
- Harper 2nd Floor Lounge
Intercultural House
- Thursdays 7-8 p.m.
- Harper 4th Floor Kitchen Lounge
Italian House
- Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Harper 2nd Floor Kitchen Lounge
Japanese House
- Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.
- Harper 2nd Floor Kitchen Lounge
Mandarin House
- Sundays at 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Harper 2nd Floor Lounge
Russian House
- Thursdays 8-9 p.m.
- Harper 4th Floor Lounge
Spanish House
- Tuesdays 8-9 p.m.
- Harper 4th Floor Kitchen Lounge
Scholarships
Only available to students in Mozaiko!
Mozaiko students are eligible for the Cranwell-Mozaiko summer study abroad scholarship:
- Need-based scholarship awarded to international and US undergraduate students who, at the time of application, are members of the Mozaiko Living-Learning Community.
- Up to three scholarships will be awarded each academic year with one of the scholarships awarded to a student planning to pursue a study abroad opportunity anywhere in Africa.
- The Cranwell-Mozaiko Study Abroad Scholarship shall be used to provide full or partial awards to students for the opportunity to engage in a Virginia Tech Faculty-Led).
Mozaiko is a program of the Cranwell International Center, and is a collaborative venture that includes support from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Science, Pamplin College of Business and a number of departments across campus with interest in engaging with students in the intercultural experience.
We ask that Mozaiko students participate in the following programs and events. Mozaikans participate in:
- Weekly 1-hour language practice led by a student leader
- Controversial Conversations, the student-led dialogue on cultural differences
- World on Wednesday including: Festivals, cooking events, or other cultural event(s)
- Intercultural trainings
- Mozaiko Leadership Council
Living in Mozaiko is a minimum one-year requirement, but special circumstances will be considered (things like study abroad, co-ops, etc.)
Mozaiko means mosaic in Esperanto, an artificial language devised in 1887 as a common international language.
Mozaiko is a suite-style residential hall. Suites consist of four to six students (in double rooms) sharing a common living area and bathroom.
Students live with others from their house to encourage language practice in the living space. If a house does not have sufficient interest to fill a 6-person suite, that house will be incorporated into the intercultural house.
You can select your own roommate. You’ll need to find someone within your house.
In Fall 2023, Mozaiko is introducing a one-credit course designed specifically for FY students PSCI 1204: Topics in Global Dialogues. The course provides an opportunity to gain skills in intercultural competence and communication allowing you to further develop as global citizen. Topics in Global Dialogues will offer signature learning experiences for career and professional development and engagement with VT faculty and guest speakers. First-year students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to take this course. Topics in Global Dialogues will be meeting once a week and we do not anticipate that there will be more than 3 hours of work a week. We are looking forward to learning alongside you and deepening your engagement with Mozaiko. Please reach out to Dr. Iuliia Hoban, Mozaiko LLC Program Director, if you have any questions (iuliiah@vt.edu).
Mozaiko accepts students with all levels of language proficiency (from beginner to bilingual/fluent). We encourage you enroll in language courses with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures but there is no language requirement to enroll in Mozaiko.
Mozaiko students are welcome and encouraged to attend language hours in other language houses.