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Although its name might suggest otherwise
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'Collegio Americano' is not used exclusively
by American students.
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But to understand why, we have to explore its history.
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In the late 19th century,
two American bishops hatched a plan
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to handle the shortage of priests in the United States.
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They knew that the theology programmes here at the
University of Leuven were excellent.
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So they decided to found a special seminary here.
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Graduating priests would then be ready to enter into
active pastoral service in the United States.
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Their plan worked and the college
became extremely popular.
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So popular in fact that they had to purchase
the adjacent buildings in order to make more space.
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The whole complex survived both world wars unscathed
and in the fifties it was
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able to return to its original function
as if nothing had happened.
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KU Leuven acquired the college
in its entirety some years ago.
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The college was renovated and converted into a student hall
of residence for both Belgian and international students.
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O say can you see,
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by the dawn's early light,
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The Aulne Room is named after
the college that was here
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and served as the House of Refuge
of the Aulne Abbey.
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During the French Revolution, however,
this college was abolished.
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In any case, the Native Americans
in this building are still in great shape,
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so the American feeling is bound to last
for many years to come.
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And now we're off to our next stop.