Get cultured

Asian Culture Center
807 E. 10th St.
acc@indiana.edu
 
The Asian Culture Center has a variety of programs targeted specifically at freshmen. Graduate assistant Mai-Lin Poon said the ACC participates in CultureFest, hosts an open house during Welcome Week for students to meet the different student associations, and runs a freshman mentoring program that pairs new students with upperclassmen. Look for the Over A Cup of Tea lecture series, a celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and a free Asian language learning program.

Poon said students of all backgrounds are welcome to hang out at the ACC, use its kitchen to cook and visit its computer lab. “It’s a down- to- earth, homey atmosphere,” Poon said. “It’s good to go try new things and gain new experiences.”

La Casa, Latino Cultural Center
715 E. Seventh St.
lacasa@indiana.edu
 
La Casa is a home away from home for many Latino and non-Latino student across campus. La Casa director Lillian Casillas said the center offers programs to help freshmen adapt and become leaders on campus through the center’s Freshman Institute. The center will also host a retreat at the beginning of the fall semester for new students. La Casa also puts on film screenings, lecture series and cultural activities.

Casillas said La Casa’s programs are developed by students for students and that the center is always looking for volunteers.     “One of our purposes is to make our big university feel small,” Casillas said. “We really personalize students’ experiences on campus.”

Leo R. Dowling International Center
111 S. Jordan Ave.
intlcent@indiana.edu
 
The Leo R. Dowling International Center offers cultural, social, and educational programs for international students and visiting scholars as well as the IU and Bloomington communities. Sandy Britton, director of the International Center, said the center is meant to make international students feel at home, but that it puts on programs and events for all kinds of student groups on campus. The center hosts the IU World’s Fare, an event that showcases international student groups’ countries and brings together the campus and Bloomington communities.

“Our English programs are particularly popular among international and domestic students, as they offer a great opportunity for friendship and cultural exchange,” Britton said.

Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center
275 N. Jordan Ave.
nmbcc@indiana.edu

The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center is a resource for all black (and all other) IU students. The Center increases awareness about issues facing African Americans through outreach programs and events and also serves as a comfort zone for students.
812-855-9271, www.indiana.edu/~nmbcc

First Nations Educational and Cultural Center
Ashton Center Weatherly Hall 203
400 Sunrise Dr.
fnecc@indiana.edu

The First Nations Educational and Cultural Center serves First Nations students, but is also a resource to educate IU about the First Nations community. The Center assists in connecting students and building a Native American community within IU.