A room with a view

Christiana Tower Apartments

Of all the many cultural adjustments ELI students must make upon arriving in Delaware, accommodating themselves to traditional dormitory lodging is perhaps the most difficult of all. Most dormitory rooms are small, many international students are offended by group bathrooms and, most frustrating of all, dormitory residents are required to purchase full meal plans.

This unhappy situation changed for the better in September, when ELI students moved to Christiana Tower Apartments. Although counted among the University's residence halls, the "Towers" provide students with the space and comfort of two bedroom apartmentsûcomplete with private bathrooms.

"I can cook for myself," said student Kei Fujita of the new facilities. "Also, I can choose my roommates."

The presence of efficiency kitchens means that ELI students need no longer purchase meal plans. The Towers also include within the building a store, mail center, game room and computer facility--as well as the convenience of door-to-door delivery by bus to and from ELI's main building.

Currently 48 ELI students reside in the Tower Apartments. In addition, by contracting the services of host family coordinator Nancy Purcell, ELI is expanding its homestay program and working closely with private apartment complexes to give students more housing options within the community.

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