Beef rendang was braised for hours in coconut milk, absorbing the flavors of the spices. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer in English and Indonesian (Doa Bapa Kami); we ate, we sang, and we laughed amid the room-filling fragrances of ginger, lemongrass, garlic, and chilis. More than 20 people, including President Ryken, had squeezed into the International Apartments to feast: This was the Indonesian Fellowship dinner, continuing the biannual tradition started by Indonesian alumni.

The dinner was part of Wheaton’s new International Apartments initiative, sponsored by International Student Programs (ISP) and Residence Life. In our apartments, international students receive encouragement, foster relationships, and build new connections with students of different backgrounds. We welcome everyone, whether they come from thousands of miles away or grew up three blocks from campus. The space has allowed us to share parts of our homes with one another. Adorned by eight flags and a world map, this setting forms a tapestry of our life stories and fosters a warm environment for students to stop by to snack on our Pocky biscuit sticks and write their papers on our comfortable couches.

Students all face a common challenge when we first arrive on campus: How can we feel at home in this place? For me, the International Apartments have enabled me to participate in the communal placemaking of Wheaton College. While we are sharing our lives—carving a bit more beef rendang—we create memories and experiences that make us feel more at home abroad.