Guest contributor, Hanna S. is a TP'14 and was co-chair of the Partner Orientation with Heidi S., a fellow TP'14. All Partner Orientation events were organized by the two TP'14 co-chairs and TP'14 volunteers.
Summer is over and nothing rings in the new school year like having the Tuck Class of 2015 descend upon Hanover in the month of August. After several months of quiet, the Tuck campus and downtown Hanover is buzzing with new and returning students. 278 students comprise the T'15 class and with them come Partners, Tiny Tuckies, and Tuck pets.
While many students, couples, or families arrive throughout the summer (especially in August) for pre-orientation programs or to get settled, the start of the 2013-14 year for the first-year class begins at Orientation from August 24 - 29, 2013. Orientation is a week-long program that keeps the Tuck students incredibly busy as they assimilate to their life as a student. So what do Tuck Partners (TPs) do during this crazy week for the students? TPs participate in Partner Orientation - where TPs meet each other, experience the Upper Valley, and are connected with resources so that they can begin to make the most of their two years in the Upper Valley.
Starting with Orientation Registration on August 24th, TPs stopped by the Partner Registration table to pick up their packets and awesome Tuck TP shirt. 119 partners signed up throughout Orientation and while not everyone was present to participate in the activities (some partners are remote), everyone is added to the TP'15 email listserv so they can remain connected to the Tuck and TP community. Every day there were multiple events planned specifically for partners, including:
• Exclusive TP yoga class at Upper Valley Yoga in White River Junction
• Tuck Dog walk around Balch Hill in Hanover (10+ new Tuck dogs sniffed, barked, and marked)
• Gelato outing at the famous Morano Gelato in downtown Hanover
• Partner Welcome Breakfast at Tuck
• Happy hour at Murphy's with a warm welcome from the owner, Nigel
• International Partner Panel for partners new to the U.S. to adjust to life in the Upper Valley
• Employment Panel lead by a Dartmouth College HR consultant to help new residents transition their careers
• Potluck Dinner at Sachem with delicious food from Mexico, Brazil, Tanzania, and more!
• Small group dinners of 6 partners (one or two TP'14 hosts and 4-5 TP'15) at restaurants throughout Hanover, Lebanon, and White River Junction
• A male partner dinner at Murphy's
• A trip to Watson Dog Park in White River Junction
• Tiny Tuckie events at the Sachem Community Playground for both parents and children to get to know each other
• and finally a 6:30 am morning run that failed to enchant any participants (eh, maybe next year)
In addition to the partner events, many of the student -organized meals (BBQs, lunches, etc) were partner- and family-friendly. Of course all partner events were optional, so partners could pick and choose what fit their interests and schedules.
Yes it was a busy week but a FUN one, full of meeting new people, seeing new places, and making a home in the Upper Valley.