When we talk about dormitories, housing areas, and boarding houses for students in Vietnam and many related issues, I suddenly think of the idea of the largest dormitory in the world, where it is located, and how it operates for students. And how the students here are living in such a place. We will explore this extremely impressive structure, which is the largest dormitory in the world.
Have you ever wondered where thousands of students can live under one roof? That is the dormitory named Bancroft Hall, the headquarters of young sailors. The largest dormitory in the world, Bancroft Hall, is the dormitory of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Bancroft Hall is not just a dormitory but also a common home for over 4,400 officer candidates with 1,700 rooms and about 7.7 km of corridors. This dormitory is like a miniature city where all the needs of the students, from studying and living to entertainment, are fully met. So how big is this dormitory?
Imagine you are standing in a standard international football stadium with an area of about 0.71 hectares. Thus, Bancroft Hall is about 19 times larger than a football stadium. It is just like taking a stroll in a gigantic park where every step takes you to a new and surprising area.
What about the floor area?
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are very famous with a total floor area of 4.5 million m2, while the floor area of Bancroft Hall is 1.5 million m2, equivalent to about 1/3 of the floor area of the Petronas Twin Towers. It is like a miniature twin tower, but instead of being pushed high into the sky, it spreads wide on the ground.
The life of officer candidates in this dormitory is very busy and disciplined; they must adhere to a strict daily schedule that includes classes, physical training, and extracurricular activities. However, they also have time to participate in clubs, sports teams, and other social activities.
A miniature city, Bancroft Hall is so vast that it contains offices, shops, restaurants, gyms, and even a post office dedicated to it. Just imagine that here you are like living in a bustling neighborhood with all the amenities. Every day, officer candidates have to move through long corridors to get to class and participate in extracurricular activities, or simply to go eat.
Interesting comparison with Vietnam
In fact, defining what a dormitory is or what part of a dormitory is very difficult, and if compared to dormitories in Vietnam, you will see clear differences. The largest dormitory in Vietnam can be mentioned as the dormitory of the National University of Ho Chi Minh City, which provides accommodation for tens of thousands of students. However, in terms of scale and amenities, Bancroft Hall is still far superior. You are living in a modern apartment complex in the center of a city where everything is within reach, from cafes to supermarkets and even entertainment centers.
Is there a fee to live here?
There is a big question raised here: do you have to pay to live in this place? The truth is that living in Bancroft Hall does not require rent and other living expenses like regular college students. Officer candidates of the United States Naval Academy are fully funded by the U.S. government during their training. This is part of the U.S. military training system, where students not only study for free but also receive monthly allowances. This means they study and get paid. Specifically, tuition is completely waived. All educational expenses for students here are fully covered by the government, and they do not have to worry about anything.
Regarding the monthly allowance, each officer candidate receives an allowance to cover personal needs, which increases over the years of study and the rank of the candidate. For example, in the first year, the allowance may be less than in subsequent years. Other living expenses related to life in the largest dormitory in the world, Bancroft Hall, including food, are also covered by the U.S. government. This helps students focus entirely on their studies without having to think about money, comfortably training without worrying about any costs.
Of course, everything has its price; in return for free education and these allowances, officer candidates commit to serve in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps after graduation. This service period usually lasts at least 5 years, and have you ever wondered how officer candidates here move around in such a dormitory?
How do they move around?
Usually, they will choose a simple way to use their legs to walk through the long corridors of about 7.7 km. Just walking in Bancroft Hall helps them maintain health and fitness; walking is not only the main traditional means of transportation but also part of the disciplined lifestyle and physical training of officer candidates. When the distance is far and they need to hurry, bicycles are also a popular means of transportation on the campus of this dormitory.
Many students choose to use bicycles to move faster between buildings or to farther areas on the campus of the dormitory and academy. This dormitory also has an internal bus system to serve the transportation needs of students and staff, and this system is especially used on days when the weather is unfavorable at Bancroft Hall.
10 interesting facts about the largest dormitory in the world, Bancroft Hall
1. Bancroft Hall is called a giant common home. It is often referred to by students as a second mother, as it is the common home for over 4,400 people. Its vast floor area makes it a miniature city within the United States Naval Academy. Imagine living in a large neighborhood where everything from studying, living, to entertainment is within reach.
2. Long corridors. There are corridors that stretch 7.7 km long enough for you to walk all day without going outside. Such corridors connect the buildings, creating a complex and convenient internal transportation system. It feels like you are strolling through a modern maze where every step leads to a new and surprising area.
3. Long history. Bancroft Hall was built in 1901 and completed in 1906. This building is over 100 years old; it is named after George Bancroft, the founder of the United States Naval Academy, who led the agency for a long time. It resembles an ancient castle, with every wall containing valuable and meaningful historical stories.
4. Diverse room system. With over 1,700 rooms, Bancroft Hall provides accommodation for all officer candidates of the academy, each room is fully equipped with beds, study tables, and necessary living facilities according to American standards. It looks like a luxury hotel from a Vietnamese perspective.
5. Learning center and library. Bancroft Hall is not only a place to live but also a learning and research center for students. The building has a large library with thousands of books and rich learning resources. This is a quiet reading place, with soft lighting and spacious space, fully focused on studying and reading.
6. Modern amenities. This place is fully equipped with modern amenities including a gym, convenience store, restaurant, and even a dedicated post office. These amenities help students easily live and entertain without having to leave the building. It feels like a mini urban area.
7. Ceremonies and traditions. At Bancroft Hall, officer candidates regularly participate in military ceremonies and traditions; every morning they take part in flag-raising ceremonies and collective activities to train their spirit and physical fitness. This is a solemn occasion where every action and movement carries deep meaning and discipline.
8. A dormitory for officer students, so security is very strict. The building is equipped with modern security devices and always has a security team on duty 24/7. This is an absolutely safe area where students can study without worrying about anything.
9. Extracurricular activities. Because besides studying, students at Bancroft Hall also participate in many extracurricular and sports activities, the building has sports fields, gyms, and clubs for students to train physically and entertain.
10. Team spirit and discipline. This is one of the highlights of Bancroft Hall. The team spirit and strict discipline of the students living and studying together create a supportive and cohesive environment. This is a perfect community where all students are an indispensable part and always ready to help each other.