History
A short History of Loyola International Nachbahr Huis
Loyola University Maryland, a Jesuit university in Baltimore, was established in 1852 and is named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. The university has around 6000 undergraduate and graduate students studying a wide range of subjects, including biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science, communications, psychology, sociology, economics, political science, history, literature, philosophy, theology, languages, international business, marketing, etc.
In 1988, the college started a Junior Year Abroad program (juniors are third year students) in cooperation with the KU Leuven. Every year some thirty Loyola students come to Leuven and take courses, primarily in English, from several departments, including Canon Law, Theology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Economics, Law, etc. They are officially registered in the Junior Program of the Faculty of Arts, although they are not restricted to Junior Program offerings, and indeed are expected to take a wide range of courses from various faculties. Credits for these courses transfer back to Loyola in Baltimore and count towards graduation.
Beyond pure academics, however, the original aim of the program was for these students to meet people from other cultures, and in particular Belgians, and thus broaden their horizons. It soon became apparent, however, that having the Loyola students live together by themselves in Leuven was detrimental to achieving such interaction and integration. Consequently, the Loyola International Huis was created as a joint project of Loyola College and the KU Leuven. A wing of the former Black Nuns' Convent, which was owned by the KU Leuven, was renovated with financial aid from Loyola College and was converted into a residence for some seventy students. It began operating in September, 1992. The goal of the Huis is to foster close ties among students from different nations, within a rigorous scholarly setting. Such ties allow for a greater integration of the non-Belgian students into the Leuven community while enhancing the mutual understanding and appreciation of all those involved. Towards these ends, Nachbahr students are expected to promote the social life of the house and participate in various “all-house” activities during the academic year. Students are also expected to be tolerant and willing to accommodate cultural diversity within the general framework of the house rules. Cooperation and engagement are the keys to the project’s success.
In May 1994, the Huis was rededicated in the memory of Professor Bernard Nachbahr who inspired and founded the original project, and who died unexpectedly in September 1993 after serving five years as its director. Professor Nachbahr was a charismatic, dynamic, yet gentle man, and his faith in international education and multi-cultural interchange as agents of peace, progress, and prosperity, remain the core philosophy of the residence which bears his name.
In order to assure equal opportunity for this experience, students are only allowed two years within the Huis. However, a third year can be granted in the case of exceptional service to the community.
