Hi Everyone,
Following are a few of the things to look forward to:
> The Friday before Orientation Week & the last Friday of Orientation Week, we will have a big lawn-game day on Colton Lawn, across Jefferson Street from MIIS -- click to see poster (also below). These two fun days are for you to meet other international students before school starts and before academics keep you busy.
> Saturday Evening International Friendship Gatherings! Twice a month we get together -- on Campus -- sharing cross-cultural (potluck), play crazy competitive team games, and have lively topical discussions -- scroll to see poster below.
> Study Break Hikes! We do lots of these, easy local "study break" hikes to get you outside breathing fresh air, away from your books, enjoying the beauty of our area in places you may never find on your own -- see our photo website at isimonterey.smugmug.com.
> Be invited into our home(s) for a meal, friendship, and cross-cultural sharing -- If interested, let us know.
Click here to contact us.
Following are a few of the things to look forward to:
> The Friday before Orientation Week & the last Friday of Orientation Week, we will have a big lawn-game day on Colton Lawn, across Jefferson Street from MIIS -- click to see poster (also below). These two fun days are for you to meet other international students before school starts and before academics keep you busy.
> Saturday Evening International Friendship Gatherings! Twice a month we get together -- on Campus -- sharing cross-cultural (potluck), play crazy competitive team games, and have lively topical discussions -- scroll to see poster below.
> Study Break Hikes! We do lots of these, easy local "study break" hikes to get you outside breathing fresh air, away from your books, enjoying the beauty of our area in places you may never find on your own -- see our photo website at isimonterey.smugmug.com.
> Be invited into our home(s) for a meal, friendship, and cross-cultural sharing -- If interested, let us know.
Click here to contact us.
SATURDAY EVENING Friendship Gatherings. . .
a great fun social break from school pressures... meets on campus!
a great fun social break from school pressures... meets on campus!
Remember, you can come without anything if there is no time to fix food. Guaranteed... It will be fun!
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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 & learn new vocab. > If you don't have food, come anyway. > Learn fun, crazy active games. > Join in lively discussions; share your ideas, and learn about each other, personally, culturally, and professionally. We begin eating at 6:00 and end at 8:30 If your schedule doesn't let you get there on time, come anyway, even without 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 -- consider using a microwave in Holland or Samson Center if needed. We bring hot rice plus a main dish and a salad... Bring whatever works for you, but no soup or sodas. |
Monterey has so many wonderful places to explore. And, because we've lived here for years, we know many places others wouldn't think of.
We love getting out and sharing many of them with students as well deserved "Study Breaks!"
To view some of these adventures, including activities in our home and on campus, click the photo to access our private photo website.
We love getting out and sharing many of them with students as well deserved "Study Breaks!"
To view some of these adventures, including activities in our home and on campus, click the photo to access our private photo website.
Below are examples of some of the other bigger things we do each year.
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 and Caving 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? On years when the snow isn't as good, we tour an amazing cave system, hike giant redwood & sequoia trees... in the snow, and visit a living goldmine town museum.
Here is an idea of what to expect, Feb in the Sierras.
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 love to go on easy 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.
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 and Caving 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? On years when the snow isn't as good, we tour an amazing cave system, hike giant redwood & sequoia trees... in the snow, and visit a living goldmine town museum.
Here is an idea of what to expect, Feb in the Sierras.
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 love to go on easy 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.