Mozaiko
Intercultural Competence and Leadership
In Mozaiko, we bring the world to your residence.
Located in Harper Hall, domestic and international students live together in a diverse community where they learn about each other’s culture and prepare for a lifetime of intercultural leadership.
If you are interested in becoming involved, email mozaiko@vt.edu for more information!
Each Mozaikan selects a culture and language house to engage and build community within Mozaiko Mozaiko organizes community by Culture & Language Houses.
If a house does not recruit at least 12 students, then those groups will merge under the Intercultural umbrella where the program leads will thread your interests into the Intercultural learning goals.
In the Arabic Culture and Language House, students explore the cultures and languages 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 Culture and Language 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 Culture and Language House, students explore Francophone culture and language. French Culture and Language 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 and practice German together. 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 interested in learning about multiple cultures and for culture and language houses that fall below the twelve student minimum threshold represented in Mozaiko.
In the Italian Culture and Language House, students explore Italian culture. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Italian Culture and Language 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 explore Japanese culture and language. Native speakers are welcome to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Japanese Culture and Language 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 Culture and Language House, students 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 Culture and Language House explore Russian culture and language. Native speakers are encouraged to apply to share their culture and language. We encourage all Russian Culture and Language 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 Culture and Language House, students explore Hispanic culture and language. 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). There is no language requirement to enroll in Mozaiko.
** Mozaiko students are welcome and encouraged to attend culture and language hours in other language houses.
Hours
Note:The schedule for weekly culture and language hours will be updated if regularly scheduled meeting times change.
| Culture & Language Group | Date/Time | Location |
| Arabic | Monday 7-8 p.m. | 4th floor lounge |
| French | Tuesday 7-8 p.m. | 3rd floor kitchen lounge |
| German | Wednesday 7:30-8:30 p.m. | 4th floor kitchen lounge |
| Intercultural | Thursday 6:30-7:30 p.m. | 4th floor kitchen lounge |
| Italian | Tuesday 4-5 p.m. | 2nd floor lounge |
| Japanese | Thursday 6-7 p.m. | 3rd floor kitchen lounge |
| Mandarin | Friday 7-8 p.m. | 3rd floor lounge |
| Russian | Monday 8-9 p.m. | 2nd floor kitchen lounge |
| Spanish | Wednesday 7-8 p.m. | 3rd floor kitchen lounge |
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:
- Attend the Mozaiko Community Retreat in August 2025
- Intercultural learning opportunities
- Community Conversations, the student-led dialogue on cultural differences
- World on Wednesday Programming including: festivals, cooking events, and other cultural event(s)
Living in Mozaiko is a minimum one-year requirement, but special circumstances will be considered (things like study abroad, co-ops, etc.)
Returning Students
- Upper-class students are highly encouraged to serve in leadership roles in the Mozaiko community. (Core Team, Programming Team, Mentoring Team, Marketing Team, Culture and Language Team, Community Engagement and Outreach Team).
- Returning students serving in leadership roles are required to attend and actively engage in Mozaiko’s Leadership Retreat where they will participate in teambuilding activities, leadership training, and prepare to welcome and support first-year Mozaikans to campus.
- Participation in Mozaiko programing opportunities based on your individual interests and goals including but not limited to Intercultural and Leadership Development Opportunities, Culture Highlights, Community Conversations, Global Fellow in Residence Fireside Chats, and Community Meals.
New Students
- Attend and actively participate in the Mozaiko Community Retreat in August 2025.
- Participation in Mozaiko programing opportunities based on your individual interests and goals including but not limited to Intercultural and Leadership Development Opportunities, Culture Highlights, Community Conversations, Global Fellow in Residence Fireside Chats, and Community Meals.
- Live in a way that encourages inclusion and respect towards all members of the community.
As a result of being engaged in Mozaiko Living-Learning Community, students will:
- Live and learn in a diverse community where you can learn about other cultures.
- Cultivate your intercultural competence.
- Engage with faculty, staff, and other students to learn about other cultures and prepare for a lifetime of intercultural leadership.
- Have access to student leadership opportunities.
- Live out Ut Prosim (That I may Serve) by serving others.
What does Mozaiko mean?
- Mozaiko means mosaic in Esperanto, an artificial language devised in 1887 as a common international language.
What types of rooms are available?
- Mozaiko is a suite-style residential hall. Suites consist of four to six students (in double rooms) sharing a common living area and bathroom.
Will I live with people from my culture and language house or from different culture and language houses?
- Students utilize StarRez to select rooms according to their preferred culture and language house and have the ability to create roommate groups. If a culture and language house does not have sufficient interest to recruit a minimum of at least twelve students, that house will be incorporated into the intercultural house.
Will I be able to select my roommate or is it random?
- You can select your own roommate. If you do not select a roommate by deadlines provided by Housing, you will be assigned a roommate.
Do I need to be proficient in a language other than English?
- Members of Mozaiko focus on intercultural learning and leadership. There is not an additional language requirement.
- Mozaiko students are welcome and encouraged to engage in programming throughout our community.