One hall, 11 languages: Inside the Passport Living Learning Community

An assortment of flags hangs over a second-floor hallway in Gressette Residence Hall representing dozens of countries around the globe. Around the corner, a map covered in tiny marker flags show where the students who live there have been or want to go. In the rooms, you can hear languages from every corner of the world.

“There is Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Norwegian, Hindi, Italian, Urdu, Portuguese and German,” said Principal Lecturer Ellory Schmucker, listing off the languages spoken among the 16 students in the first cohort of the Passport Living Learning Community (LLC).

Last year, Schmucker, who teaches Spanish in the Department of Languages, had the idea for a place on campus where students could have “a unique space where language enthusiasts can immerse themselves in a rich multilingual environment and discover a tapestry of different cultures.” Her idea, championed by Nicholas Vazsonyi, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, quickly grew into Passport LLC.

“It attracted group of students with diverse interests and experiences,” Schmucker said.

Living Learning Communities in the Clemson residence halls allow students with common interests and goals to live together, either during their first year or continuing throughout their Clemson careers.

“As a Language and International Health major, living in a hall with multiple cultural backgrounds is so rewarding to me,” said Libby Tapasak, who grew up in the Atlanta suburbs. “I know that in my future job, I will want to be able to relate to as many cultures as possible, and I think that by living in Passport I really get to embrace that and learn so much that is applicable to not only [my major] but also to my future career.”

College is challenging, especially when you’re first starting, and I think being able to connect with students who share common interests gives you a sense of belonging.

Ellory Schmucker, Faculty Sponsor, Passport LLC

Passport is not limited to language majors, however. The first cohort includes students in physics, pre-business, criminal justice, general engineering and architecture, in addition to students in language and international business (LAIB), and language and international health (LIH). Likewise, the program includes students who grew up in countries including Sweden, Pakistan, Mexico and the U.S.

“It is stunning how quickly Clemson was able to move to make this idea a reality,” Vazsonyi said. “I am so thrilled with Passport and especially grateful to Ellory Schmucker for the idea and for her energy to see it through. Nothing embodies our new College motto, ‘Meet the world,’ more perfectly than Passport. The student interest demonstrated this first year confirms that such a Living Learning Community was sorely needed, and I am excited to see how it grows.”

Despite the students’ many differences, all share the experience of adjusting to a new place.

“College is challenging, especially when you’re first starting,” Schmucker said. “And I think being able to connect with students who share common interests gives you a sense of belonging.”

Schmucker pointed out that one of the first ways students have bonded has been over food, and Tapasak said the most surprising part of her experience is how many opportunities students have had to interact as a group.

“I know that even if I miss something, there will always be something else for me to get involved in within a week,” she said.

Passport LLC has room to grow, with a maximum size of 30 students. Schmucker looks forward to helping more students “meet the world” as they arrive at Clemson.

“What I’m hoping these students develop is the ability to self-reflect and cultivate cultural humility,” she said. “Learning to engage with others who bring different perspectives is a skill that stays with you for life and helps you see the world in new ways.”