Following are a few of the things we do.
> The day before school starts we have a huge BBQ at a local park...
lots of food and lots of items to give away. You can see the flier below.
> Each week we meet on campus for a fun evening of sharing food,
crazy competitive team games and lively topical & cross-cultural discussions.
> We also do lots of easy local hikes... we call them "study breaks" because they're short and designed to get you away from your books for just a few hours without tiring you out.
> The day before school starts we have a huge BBQ at a local park...
lots of food and lots of items to give away. You can see the flier below.
> Each week we meet on campus for a fun evening of sharing food,
crazy competitive team games and lively topical & cross-cultural discussions.
> We also do lots of easy local hikes... we call them "study breaks" because they're short and designed to get you away from your books for just a few hours without tiring you out.
Weekly: Friday Friendship Gatherings are a great, fun social break from school pressures!
This is always a highlight
For those who can make it... These times together are never dull, always an adventure!
Join us and tell others.
> Come share your favorite foods and enjoy the foods others bring.
> Meet new international students.
> Practice your English.
> If you don't have food, come anyway.
> Learn some fun & crazy TEAM games.
> Join in discussions about interesting social & cultural topics; share your ideas and learn from each other.
We begin eating at 6:30 and end at 8:30
Located in the Simoneau House next to Student Services.
If your schedule doesn't let you get there on time, come anyway, even without any food... it's all fine! It's the friendship that counts.
If you bring food, bring it ready to serve; it doesn't have to be hot. We bring hot rice plus a main dish and & salad... Bring whatever works for you, but no soup or sodas.
Remember, you can come without anything if there is no time.
Guaranteed: It will be fun!
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For photos of Friday nights, here are a few._________________________________________________________________________________
HIKING: Besides our Friday gatherings, and in addition to being invited into local homes for dinner & cross-cultural sharing, we like to do LOTS OF SHORT HIKES... we like to call them "Study Breaks!"
Often the MIIS Adventure club does hikes as well. However, because we've lived here most of our lives, we like to think we know many more special places that they probably haven't discovered. To see examples, visit our special photo website here.
Come Friday nights to find out about unique Saturday short local hikes to very special places -- sometimes these hikes are planned ahead but other times we decide to do it on Friday evenings.
We are usually only gone 3 - 4 hours and they're easy so you can still get in some good study time for those who need it. Many say these hikes energize and help the brain to relax for better concentration later. Join us and give it a try.
For those who can make it... These times together are never dull, always an adventure!
Join us and tell others.
> Come share your favorite foods and enjoy the foods others bring.
> Meet new international students.
> Practice your English.
> If you don't have food, come anyway.
> Learn some fun & crazy TEAM games.
> Join in discussions about interesting social & cultural topics; share your ideas and learn from each other.
We begin eating at 6:30 and end at 8:30
Located in the Simoneau House next to Student Services.
If your schedule doesn't let you get there on time, come anyway, even without any food... it's all fine! It's the friendship that counts.
If you bring food, bring it ready to serve; it doesn't have to be hot. We bring hot rice plus a main dish and & salad... Bring whatever works for you, but no soup or sodas.
Remember, you can come without anything if there is no time.
Guaranteed: It will be fun!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For photos of Friday nights, here are a few._________________________________________________________________________________
HIKING: Besides our Friday gatherings, and in addition to being invited into local homes for dinner & cross-cultural sharing, we like to do LOTS OF SHORT HIKES... we like to call them "Study Breaks!"
Often the MIIS Adventure club does hikes as well. However, because we've lived here most of our lives, we like to think we know many more special places that they probably haven't discovered. To see examples, visit our special photo website here.
Come Friday nights to find out about unique Saturday short local hikes to very special places -- sometimes these hikes are planned ahead but other times we decide to do it on Friday evenings.
We are usually only gone 3 - 4 hours and they're easy so you can still get in some good study time for those who need it. Many say these hikes energize and help the brain to relax for better concentration later. Join us and give it a try.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Below is an example of some of the other bigger things we do each year.
Annual Welcome Picnic, end of August.
Each year just before MIIS starts, we have a fun time welcoming new international students to Monterey. One of the best parts about this event is that new students just arriving get to meet many other students, some new & some returning. With many local volunteers providing food and cooking a BBQ (vegetarians welcome), there will be lots of cross-cultural sharing, games and a special give-a-way of items many new students find useful in their rentals. For an idea of what to expect, see photos here!
Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations, third week in November.
Each year we get requests from our ISI volunteer friends who wish to invite international students into their home for Thanksgiving Dinner. Shared with at least one other student, this unique holiday opportunity allows you to experience another aspect of the American family culture you won't get on campus. You will also get to learn about the history of Thanksgiving and why it's so special. Each year, between 40 - 60 students take part in this program and the feedback has been very positive. To see some pictures, go here.
Snow-Play in the Sierra Mountains, an incredibly fun time -- end of February.
This snow-play trip is not a ski trip. In many ways it's better: more slope time, more time to just goof around in the snow with friends at a well managed park facility, and it's a lot cheaper. Have you ever built a snow man or slid down steep slopes of snow in inner-tubes, all linked together?
Here is an idea of what to expect when we get to LeLand High-Sierra Snow Park. Or, see our own pictures here.
Yosemite here we come, beginning of June. Join us as we hike among the waterfalls.
Every year, this is one of our biggest events with lots of interaction, hiking, great host families to meet, and seeing one of the most beautiful places ever! Some students also bring family who have come to Monterey to share in graduation. For pics of what to expect, check it out here. These are from a previous year, with a record for amount of water. Each year the waterfalls vary in size and we always look forward to the beauty of the outdoors.
The 4th of July represents Freedom Day for Americans!
This is a great opportunity for many students who arrive in the summer for the special summer programs.
Join us at the home of one of our wonderful volunteers. We'll play some outdoor games and eat burgers & hot dogs (including vegi-burgers & turkey dogs). Then we'll go inside and share about America's heritage as written into the Declaration of Independence and talk we'll talk about the pros & cons of freedom from the perspective of different cultures. For instance, is freedom always a good thing? Is there a way to define it so it won’t be mis-used? Are there life principles that can work for everyone, truths that respect the honor of all people? Perhaps you have some ideas about these things; come prepared to share them. But most of all, come to have fun and meet new students, along with many wonderful ISI volunteers. See pictures on our special ISI photo website.
Various Other Adventures
We also like to go on short local hikes. These shorter hikes make great "Study Breaks!" You can see some of those by visiting our photo website at ISIMonterey.SmugMug.com, some of which are also on the Monterey Pictures page of this site.
Annual Welcome Picnic, end of August.
Each year just before MIIS starts, we have a fun time welcoming new international students to Monterey. One of the best parts about this event is that new students just arriving get to meet many other students, some new & some returning. With many local volunteers providing food and cooking a BBQ (vegetarians welcome), there will be lots of cross-cultural sharing, games and a special give-a-way of items many new students find useful in their rentals. For an idea of what to expect, see photos here!
Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations, third week in November.
Each year we get requests from our ISI volunteer friends who wish to invite international students into their home for Thanksgiving Dinner. Shared with at least one other student, this unique holiday opportunity allows you to experience another aspect of the American family culture you won't get on campus. You will also get to learn about the history of Thanksgiving and why it's so special. Each year, between 40 - 60 students take part in this program and the feedback has been very positive. To see some pictures, go here.
Snow-Play in the Sierra Mountains, an incredibly fun time -- end of February.
This snow-play trip is not a ski trip. In many ways it's better: more slope time, more time to just goof around in the snow with friends at a well managed park facility, and it's a lot cheaper. Have you ever built a snow man or slid down steep slopes of snow in inner-tubes, all linked together?
Here is an idea of what to expect when we get to LeLand High-Sierra Snow Park. Or, see our own pictures here.
Yosemite here we come, beginning of June. Join us as we hike among the waterfalls.
Every year, this is one of our biggest events with lots of interaction, hiking, great host families to meet, and seeing one of the most beautiful places ever! Some students also bring family who have come to Monterey to share in graduation. For pics of what to expect, check it out here. These are from a previous year, with a record for amount of water. Each year the waterfalls vary in size and we always look forward to the beauty of the outdoors.
The 4th of July represents Freedom Day for Americans!
This is a great opportunity for many students who arrive in the summer for the special summer programs.
Join us at the home of one of our wonderful volunteers. We'll play some outdoor games and eat burgers & hot dogs (including vegi-burgers & turkey dogs). Then we'll go inside and share about America's heritage as written into the Declaration of Independence and talk we'll talk about the pros & cons of freedom from the perspective of different cultures. For instance, is freedom always a good thing? Is there a way to define it so it won’t be mis-used? Are there life principles that can work for everyone, truths that respect the honor of all people? Perhaps you have some ideas about these things; come prepared to share them. But most of all, come to have fun and meet new students, along with many wonderful ISI volunteers. See pictures on our special ISI photo website.
Various Other Adventures
We also like to go on short local hikes. These shorter hikes make great "Study Breaks!" You can see some of those by visiting our photo website at ISIMonterey.SmugMug.com, some of which are also on the Monterey Pictures page of this site.