<p>thx!mini.
btw, has she ever mentioned the ppl in Albright? are they friendly and respectful? I only wish I can live in a house where ppl respect each other and are open even though we may not have the same taste!</p>
<p>If I ever get hold of her I will ask her and get back to you. Again, the house next year will be different than this year. I have not heard that Albright was an unfriendly house.</p>
<p>Where in Asia are you from? My D will be going to India, with short stops in Cambodia and Thailand this summer. We have "adopted" family there and she will be working with them building houses for tsunami and flood victims.</p>
<p>Doris, Mini nails it about Albright: lots of interpersonal drama. To put it mildly. No guarantee that it will carry over next year but not a great base to build on and there's no guarantee that it won't.</p>
<p>Imho, you really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really need to get off the "I need a house that's open over breaks" kick. If you have a different room over break, or are invited home with someone, or go on a trip to visit people you meet in NYC or Boston, you don't take all your belongings with you. A backpack with a few changes of clothes, your purse & wallet & some money, maybe your computer and maybe something like an iPod and you're set. Really.</p>
<p>To mini: I am not from any of the countries you've mentioned...
To TheDad: Thx for ur advice! I think I will do it the next year. but I am the type of person who always hates to trouble others esp when I don't know who they will be now. if I have ever been to Smith, or been with some friendly Smithies, or I am a native speaker, I may have more confidence that I can find ppl who I can "trouble" (^_^) without feeling uncomfortable very soon.
Btw, what is interpersonal drama exactly?</p>
<p>Interpersonal drama is roommates who are sure that they would be happier with some other roommate, or are always having relationship problems, or unfortunately can't respect each other and be open even though they may not have the same taste! From what I have heard there was alot of roommate switching.
Yes it can be a problem to live with especially if you are from a different culture. This does not mean it will happpen next year.
I disagree with my friend TheDad, if you are staying over breaks it is easier and more comfortable to be able to stay in your own room. That said, I also encourage to be open to invitations to go places over breaks with friends. I do know that there is an office for international students that helps find you negotiate the problems of beig in a different culture and finding invitations for Thanksgiving etc. My D was going to find someone to invite to go with her to her grandmother's in Washington DC (we live on the west coast) for Thanksgiving but she didn't get it together soon enough. Maybe this year.
If you are really worried about Albright, I would email Randy Shannon asking for one of the other houses that are open during breaks. I expect Albright will be much better next year, so I wouldn't worry.</p>
<p>Thx! Mini.I am thinking about Lamont right now. and I will resend the form again. Can someone tell me sth about Lamont?(the atmosphere, thx!!)</p>
<p>Doris, one of the things about Smith that I really like is that many people are always stumbling over each other to see how they can help you in a given situation. Not every person in every situation but several people in every situation. I think, Doris, that part of your education will be not seeing X, Y, or Z as "troubling others" as much as it is a normal kind ocommunal interaction.</p>
<p>Pace, Mini...I don't think it's that big a deal. But your suggestion of contacting the international office is a good one.</p>
<p>I am thinking about Lamont and Lawrence, but I incline a little to Lawrence...
To TheDad: Thx~I understand that I can't do everything in my life and I have to learn how to trust others and call for help properly. I am trying.</p>
<p>Many students -- though certainly not all -- who know they will need to stay over breaks, do live in the dorms that are open over breaks. Another advantage for you in living in one of those dorms may be the opportunity to become closely aquainted with other students who will be there all year. Just a thought. :-)</p>
<p>For what it's worth, my d. eats most of her meals (except breakfast) at Lamont, which has "Mediterranean dining". Next year, right next to Lamont, Northrup/Gillett will have the vegan/vegetarian dining hall; across the backyard, Chase-Duckett has traditional food; and Cutter/Ziskind across the street the other way will have the kosher/hallal dining room. So, foodwise, Lamont would seem like a "sweet spot".</p>
<p>Doris, don't worry about trying...I'm often very trying.</p>
<p>I talked to my daughter tonight and she says both Lawrence and Lamont are nice houses, though there are more food choices around Lamont. Good luck.</p>
<p>Doris-- I am sympathetic to your desire to find a room in a house that will be open over breaks. My D was in this position this year. Although she did end up traveling to Cambridge over Thanksgiving, I think she appreciated knowing she COULD stay in her room if she needed to. After all, who needs the stress of worrying whether an invitation will be forthcoming? And who wants to camp in someone else's room for several days instead of being surrounded with your own stuff?</p>
<p>I'm fascinated to hear that Albright has gained a reputation for roommate drama this year because that's where my D has been and I've sure been hearing plenty of stories. Mostly she has been a weary witness to it all rather than taking any lead roles. It has all sounded so downright---dare I say it?-- SILLY for Smith girls.</p>
<p>As others have said, the chemistry may be different next year. We probably won't be hearing about it as our D is moving to a single in another house. Yay!</p>
<p>To enjoyingthis: Thx! I am glad to hear that ur daughter is moving to another house~
To all! Thank you again!
I will tell all of u where I finally end up as soon as I receive the decision!</p>
<p>A-hem! mini, thedad, you knew that I lived in Albright and you haven't told Doris to get in touch with me? Shame on you!</p>
<p>Doris- all the postings regarding Albright are true- there was a lot of drama, I was part of it. Oops. My roommate and I were just really different people with different schedules and she just wanted a single. So she was out by J-term. I wanted to move upstairs (I was on first floor during first semester). Goodness, how things changed since September! I had no idea that two pairs were switched. And there were two pairs that weren't getting along... The Res Life knew that I wanted to move upstairs so I can be part of the house community. So I had to be involved with above mentioned pairs so she basically rotated the three of us so that I'm with Girl A's roommate, and Girl A moves in with Girl B's roommate and Girl B got my room for an open double. Complicated but it ended up working out for me and Girl B. Girl A's new roommate and Girl A just didn't get along for some unknown reasons (I think it had to do with drinking and some smoke) so that roommate moved into an open double where my friend used to live before leaving the house. Now everything's set.</p>
<p>We all just basically thought that Randy Shannon did a bad job of pairing up everyone in Albright. Because at the end, the HCA made everything work and now everyone's best friends with their roommates! I heart mine :) I'm going to miss her sooo much when she moves out.</p>
<p>But other Res Life staff was all like, oh that's just normal to have half of the first years switched around. A little too much for a house of 60 women.</p>
<p>The HP is sooo cool :) She's really hyper and just loves Albright and she'll be HP again in the fall so you're in really good hands. I live right across from her room and she's so easy to talk to. She tries very hard to keep the house together that isn't related to Res Life issues. Your HONs are fabulous- they love Albright and Smith so they will certainly share their excitement with you and hopefully treat you better than my current HONs.</p>
<p>Like the above posters have said, it's really the people who make up the house that characterizes the house. Live in Albright if you like the structure (which I do!) and just hope for the best group of people.</p>
<p>enjoyingthis: what room is your D in?</p>
<p>Ticklemepink-- I don't think I should say. If it were just me I would because I enjoy these "connections," but I've probably already said more than she'd want me to on here!</p>
<p>TMP, I'm sorry...I had forgotten that you're in Albright. It doesn't help at all that in the past I've often confused you with somebody else that I've actually met in person.</p>
<p>Btw, I heard about the Albright drama from several different directions...and none of them were my D. It even caused a disturbance in the Force with respect to the alumnae group here in SoCal.</p>
<p>TheDad (and others)~ My sister is going to Smith!!! I became interested in Smith when I came to CC and read posts by you, mini, ticklemepink, and stacy, and I told my sister about it. I'm ecstatic that she'll be going there (maybe I can meet some CC Smithies and parents of Smithies when I visit), but I'm a bit worried that I will end up at Smith, too!:) I have a feeling that I will be on Smith's website for a while researching houses for my sister!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Hooray for your sister, Yemaya. </p>
<p>What year in hs are you? With your sister attending Smith, you will get handle on it better than almost anyone.</p>
<p>yemaya13:congrats to ur sister!
btw, it seems like you are even more excited than ur sister? ^_^</p>