Cal State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) international students faced a temporary campus unit relocation throughout the semester, with only 72 hours’ notice.
Most students who applied to live on campus received housing assignments at the start of the semester. However, between the first quarter and the middle of the semester, international students received notice to be relocated to other units across East Campus, North Quad, and Promontory. International students were given notice at the beginning of the semester that many of their permanent housing units were not available yet, whether due to renovations or otherwise, so they may have to relocate later.
Several international students reported that the transition presented both challenges and opportunities as they adjusted to new living spaces and roommates.
“Overall, it has been a good experience,” said Tristan Dubois, an international student from France majoring in cinematic arts. “At first, I was a little surprised to be quite far from the main campus in staff housing,” he said, “but you quickly get used to it and it helps you bond with your roommates.”
Dubois said that he later moved to a residence hall on campus and was glad to have had the chance to. “It allowed me to meet lots of new American students instead of just hanging out with other international students,” he said.
However, throughout the process, other international students reported facing several communication issues. Eryne Rousslet, a biology major from France, said that information between the various departments was inconsistent at times.
“The International Office answered all my questions, but the housing office was sometimes difficult to reach,” Rouslett said. “They could improve communication with students and with other offices like the international office to make sure to give the correct information.”
Azuki Shojo, an international student from Japan, expressed frustration when she first came to campus; her assigned dorm room had a broken shower, which delayed her move-in process. “I lived temporarily in another room for about three weeks before moving back,” she said. “When I contacted housing to ask when I could return to my room, they didn’t give me clear dates or details. I also didn’t receive replies to emails.”
In a written statement attributed to spokesperson Walter Ryce, CSUMB said it worked to accommodate all student applications this fall and that temporary placements were part of that effort.
“Some international students were placed in temporary housing assignments in East Campus in Schoonover Park,” Ryce said. “At the time of their placements, the students and Extended Education and International Program staff were informed that the assignments would be temporary and that we would notify them when their permanent placements became available by the end of October.”
The university said 18 international students opted to relocate to other residence halls after being told of their new replacements coming in September. Others preferred to stay in the original temporary housing in East Campus and were allowed to do so through the fall semester.
International students have related various experiences with housing this semester, depending on location and communication with the housing and internal offices. Some students mentioned having smooth and beneficial transitions and new opportunities to have new experiences and meet new people, while others cited confusion and logistical difficulties during the move.