Family Connections

Last spring, 43 percent of the graduating seniors in the class of 2006 had participated in an international experience for credit during their time at Manchester. For this spring’s graduating class of 2007, we expect that number to rise even higher! Why is that impressive, and how do we make this possible? It is impressive because the national annual average for students studying abroad is only 1 percent. At Manchester College we believe that the world is our classroom and we offer three types of study abroad: short-term January and summer sessions, semester, and full year opportunities. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for students to participate in faculty-led off-campus courses in the United States.

This past January session, more than 100 students studied a wide variety of subjects in such varying locations as Ghana (African history), London (modern scientific thought), France (French and psychology), Italy (experiencing the arts), Spain (comparative civilizations), Mexico (Spanish), and New Zealand (intercultural theater), as well as New York City (experiencing the arts) and Hawaii (psychology).

This coming July, Manchester College kicks off a new India program, the “India Story Seminar,” which highlights the history, culture and rapidly advancing technology of that country, the world’s largest democracy. One of the lecturers of the program, Valmik Thapar, India’s leading conservationist and specialist in tigers, was interviewed recently on 60 Minutes by Diane Sawyer. Manchester College is the coordinating institution for this initiative, and spaces are currently available.

We are also already gearing up for next year—January Session 2008! As students register for courses in the next few weeks, they will be able to select experiencing the arts in Spain, history in Ireland and Britain, beginning Spanish in Costa Rica, intercultural theater in New Zealand, or participation in the medical practicum in Nicaragua. Closer to home will be the chance to study U.S. political history in the making with a course in Iowa—where the presidential campaign will be really heating up next January. The following summer, in June 2008, students will have the chance to study field ecology in the Bahamas.

Manchester students also continue to study abroad for semester and year residency programs in record numbers. Twenty-one students are abroad this year through Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA), with six students studying for the full academic year, four for fall semester and an additional 11 during this spring semester. Currently, students are in the following locations: Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Cheltenham, England; Galway, Ireland; Quito, Ecuador; Sapporo, Japan; and Strasbourg, France. Additional popular BCA locations for Manchester students include: Marburg, Germany; Xalapa, Mexico, and Dalian, China. A new program in Derry, Northern Ireland, focusing on peace and justice, is also being added.

A particular strength of January, summer, semester and year programs at Manchester is that there is something for every student in every major! In addition to the breadth of subjects offered during January Session, the current semester students are from such diverse majors as: accounting, biology-chemistry, business management, economics, French, math, peace studies, secondary education, sociology and Spanish.

The Office of International Studies and Academic Enrichment serves as a central location for information on off-campus opportunities, provides extensive advising for students interested in all programs, and holds pre-departure workshops for BCA students and families.

At Manchester, our students have the opportunity to find their place—all over the world!

Ever since elementary school, we’ve been asked to fill in the blanks. On a test. A form. A questionnaire. Sometimes our answers come naturally; other times we struggle to find the right words. Here on campus, we recently sent an e-mail to some of our students asking them to fill in the blank, to finish the sentence, “At Manchester, I found ….” Their answers peppered our inbox. Without coaxing, our students fired back real life testimonials that put smiles on our faces and gave us an uplifting sense about who we are as a college. And we’ve loved hearing their stories.

Hearing what our students found at Manchester is just the beginning. We’re extending that question to you and hope you feel as comfortable filling in the blank as our students did. Since your son or daughter has been a student at MC, what have you found? What was it like when you stepped on campus for the first time? Or came back for a visit? What made you feel this was a good place for your son or daughter to be? Who has been most influential on your student’s success?

Just a reminder that the FAFSA deadline is quickly approaching. March 10 is an important date—especially for Indiana residents! The FAFSA must be received by the processing center by March 10, 2007, to be considered for state grant eligibility. Even non-residents should file in March so there are no delays in getting financial aid information.

Doing the FAFSA can overwhelm some families, but it’s not that bad. Those comfortable with technology can complete the form online (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Those who like paper can complete the paper version. If you need help, you can call the Office of Financial Aid at 260-982-5066 or e-mail us at sfs@manchester.edu. We’ll be happy to assist!

It's time once again for Manchester College’s annual Little Siblings weekend! This year's special weekend has been scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10.

The Manchester Activities Council invites your student’s little siblings—or little nieces, nephews, cousins or friends—to a weekend of activities and fun! Our activities for the weekend are tailored for ages 5 through 12. Information letters regarding the weekend have been mailed to all Manchester College students. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 2.

Lil Sibs Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday, March 9, 2007
5–7 p.m.
Registration – Oakwood Great Room

5–8 p.m.
Big Chair Pictures & Crafts – Oakwood Great Room

6:30–8:30 p.m.
Bowling – Oak Park Lanes (North Manchester)
Swimming – North Manchester Community Pool

Saturday, March 10, 2007
9–11:30 a.m.
Swimming – North Manchester Community Pool
Bowling – Oak Park Lanes (North Manchester)

1–5 p.m.
Games Galore – Physical Education and Recreation Center (PERC)
Try your luck at a variety of games and challenge your sibling on the inflatables.

6 p.m.
Pick Your Flick
“Jumanji” – Helman Great Room
“Recess” – Oakwood Great Room

If you have any questions, please call or e-mail:
Shanon Green
Director of Student Activities
Phone: 260-982-5029
Fax: 260-982-4147
slgreen@manchester.edu

It won't be long until you can tour the new Union in person, but in the meantime, you can get a bird's eye view from one of three Spartan Cams positioned inside and out. Check out all our live Spartan Cams online.