<p>My family returned today from visiting our S who is on an FSP trip studying at The London School of Economics (LSE). We had the pleasure of meeting several of his D classmates. Most seem to be bonding well. I understand that the D and LSE faculty encourage group activities outside of the classroom which seems to keep the students engaged and exposed to some unique English experiences.</p>
<p>The one downside is the distance between their flats and the campus, but the students don’t seem to complain too much.</p>
<p>Glad to hear about the Thanksgiving adventures. I think the short break was well received by our kids. Although S did not say much to me over the phone and skype. It was like, enough talk already, I have to go back to my life here. I will take that to mean that he is adjusted well enough that he did not want to spend any time with the parents on the phone. As they say, the elastic has broken and he is off to the races. He had a mini reunion with 5 HS classmates in New Jersey, and roamed NYC for the better part of the weekend. Now he is on the Dartmouth coach back to Hanover. I imagine he is thinking of all the work he has to do over the next 2 weeks. I will honor his wishes and simply wait for the full story when he comes home in a couple weeks. Good luck with finals for everyone. I think I will go for a bike ride and then some retail therapy. Cheers.</p>
<p>Had a great time in Mass./NH/VT this weekend. My D had much needed break. Went to Turkey with family in Mass, then Black Friday shopping tradition at 4am, then back up to Hanover. Next day, took ride to Queche, saw Simon Pearce, but it was 10am…so too early. Went to Cabot for cheese tasting…then to Woodstock. Then the fun started---- snowing. It got pretty bad at places, hard to see, then turned a corner and sunny. Several big accidents… Went to Stowe, had afternoon tea (coffee) at the Von Trappe Lodge, then up to Burlington. Saw the Univ. then the plaza was just lighted…back to Hanover for 1 last night. I would recommend a bigger car if you drive around alot. Rented like a Versa, but on the hills/ice…other than that it was a great adventure. (MIssed Boston…went to JP Licks for cocoa, North end,etc.)</p>
<p>Only issue…didn’t get the laundry done and only a little studying was done…but she finally got a much needed mini-break. She will bring the laundry to the wash/fold place. We always traveled together alot, only the 2 of us. We did see and talk to several students that stayed on campus. Most seemed fine, some were studying, etc. Then I saw so many come back on the Dartmouth coach.
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DartmouthDad…great to hear about the program. When I was in college, lived in London 1 yr…it is amazing. My D can’t wait to go overseas for a few FSP…she would lke to go 3 quarters if possible. We’ll see.<br>
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MagnumPI— hope you had a good bike ride. I don’t ride much (but should)…daughter still needs a bike in NH. I am sure your son didn’t want to talk to much so he wouldn’t be homesick. We met kids from various countries, etc. that were all on campus and talked to alot that went down to Boston.
Happy Holidays…</p>
<p>Hi All, What airport is it easier to get rides to, Boston or Manchester? D has to fly home and trying to see when she can get a ride and leave campus. Some said the buses were pretty full for Thanksgiving. I would think leaving for break is tougher… what do most of your students do?</p>
<p>Take the Dartmouth Coach to Boston. It’s much easier. Buses were full over Thanksgiving, yes, but the company compensates by sending multiple buses–so you shouldn’t have any worries on that front.</p>
<p>Hey Dartmouth parents, can you believe that the quarter is over next week? For us newbie parents of 14s, the questions about dorms, trips, orientation, are all a distant memory. S is in full lock down, studying and writing papers. He had a friend change his password to facebook, stopped tweeting, and is just focusing on doing his best for a week. Hope he can catch one of the Dartmouth coaches to Logan next week to begin the marathon trip (3 planes, 18 hours) back to the islands. Thanks for all the support and words of wisdom Dartmouth parents. I’ve made a lot of new friends here. Good luck to all the potential '15s. Dartmouth is a special place, if accepted, you should go.</p>
<p>Magnum PI-Like you said, it is nice to be past the anxiety and questions about trips, dorms, roommates, etc. I find myself thinking, “let’s see…this time last year we were…” Actually, we were a week away from her Early Decision acceptance. What an emotional day that was! My daughter loves Dartmouth. She looks good (via Skype) and happy and has made a lot of friends. She’s cold though! She’s planning on buying some wool sweaters when she’s home which previously she’d never wear because they were too warm! I guess being too warm sounds good now. Unfortunately, our reunion has been pushed back a few days because the a capella group she is in is going “on tour”! Ah, youth…</p>
<p>ALmost done…issue. Getting to Manchester. I bought the ticket from that airport since it is 1 plane (vs.2 from Boston) but it seems much harder to find transportation to that airport. ANYONE Have suggestions? You would think they would have some shuttles to that airport. Dartmouth Coach no longer goes there. </p>
<p>Anyone know any ride services…maybe a few kids can hire a ride.</p>
<p>That is the problem with Manchester. If you can rent a car Manchester is the perfect pick. A great small airport–you walk to the rental cars, 3 minutes. But if you don’t/can’t rent a car than Logan and the Dartmouth Coach is your best bet.</p>
<p>There is supposedly a Greyhound bus that goes from campus to the Manchester airport but I had trouble getting any concrete information about it. You can go to Greyhound’s website and look. Apparently there is a Greyhound station in White River Junction, VT and then the bus comes to the Dartmouth campus to a dedicated spot but I called the business at the address it gave for the bus-stop and they said they didn’t have anything to do with the bus. My brother lives close to Manchester, but my daughter ended up taking the Dartmouth coach to Boston, and then another bus to my brother’s city for Thanksgiving. It was much longer, but better organized.</p>
<p>Just saw Greyhound schedule; to get to 1pm flight…but the only bus for that time is 4;30am. Yes the SW flies direct from Manchester, vs. Boston. It is a shorter flght and bus ride…but we will see. Just 18, so not sure renting car, etc. would be great plus not used to driving in snow. (Looks like there is a Greyhound bus 2 times a day from Dartmouth). It gives a business name (Gardber Travel) on main street but no phone number; they were closed last night…(will try to track it down today).</p>
<p>Maybe we will switch to Boston…it is hard to bother her now with Math exam today and 1 final paper.</p>
<p>I guess that is why she did Jet Blue from Boston last time (but they only have 1 bag free)…I think she is bringing home the laundry. </p>
<p>Well by the time I write this, the first quarter should be in the books. Time for S to do laundry, room cleanup, and store the bike. Checked the weather report, 22 degrees. Cool. </p>
<p>A year ago I remember we were looking at a whole range of schools and wondering, which would be the best fit? Through the process of unnatural selection (ha!), a range of opportunities arose. The holidays were filled with anxiety as applications were completed and essays written. Who would write the peer recommendation? Would the teachers get their recommendations in on time? “I am so done with my essays!” Then, when the apps were submitted, it was time for tennis and enjoying the rest of his senior year. Fortunately, Dartmouth sent the early “likely” letter and that sealed his fate. Remember ordering the first t-shirt and sweatshirt? Great memories. </p>
<p>Now, it is totally different, addressed a few anxiety issues as he adjusted to life in Hanover. He seems very happy, but will have to debrief him when he returns. I remember we were concerned about how far Hanover was from the nearest airports. Sure would be nice to have at least a regional airport near Hanover, but hey, its been that way since 1769.</p>
<p>My first time posting. D is a 14, and she had a wonderful first quarter. Everyone hear about the streakers during finals? What a tradition. Magnum, you might know this already, but there is a small airport in Lebanon. Cape Air flies to Boston (maybe other places), but a warning, the planes are small. Prices aren’t much more than the DM coach though.</p>
<p>Possibly the nest of a very large bird? The eagles in Lord of the Rings come to mind…</p>
<p>S has made no travel plans, as in, he hasn’t told us what day we should come pick him up. Since he will be off-campus next term, he will have to decide which stuff to bring home, and which to pack and put in the storage room of his house. </p>
<p>Of course, when I hear “storage room” I envision neatly labelled cartons. I fear the reality is probably something closer to "stand at the door and throw it.’ :D</p>
<p>Dumbo, I heard about the streaker today when my D got home! She can’t believe her first semester at Dartmouth is over…wait until she sees how fast the rest of them go! She’s glad that finals are over and looking forward to relaxing with hs friends, but she says that she’s already missing D and all her buddies; can’t ask for more than that. I can SO empathize with this year’s frantic seniors and those waiting for their ED responses. A year ago there were butterflies in all our bellies and the future was so uncertain for the kids. I can’t thank D enough for making my kid so happy!</p>
<p>Welcome to D Parents thread Dumbo11, and thanks again to Coureur for starting this support group. It’s been very helpful, and loads of fun. I am not sure I am ready for a streaker story, but hey, after reading about the underage drinking felony stories I could use a storyline with simple nudity. Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences after their son or daughter’s first, fourth, seventh or tenth quarter at Dartmouth. It helps paint a vivid picture of the whole D-plan experience. </p>
<p>Dumbo, I recall hearing about Cape Air, and if they use the Cessnas that we use for smaller inter-island routes, it would certainly be an adventure, and not for the faint of heart. We will probably use a rental car out of Logan for our First year family weekend. Jet Blue has some great fares from the West Coast. We tried booking that new hotel, 6th Street South, but it is unavailable already for that weekend. If someone stays there, please post a review on this site. Well my nest is not going to be empty for a few weeks, so I will have to see how I adjust to being a dad again. Someone warned me that it is never the same again after they spread their wings. But that’s ok, that is what I am paying all that tuition for, right? Aloha, -Magnum</p>
<p>I second Magnum’s thank you to Coureur for creating this thread. Even though I am just starting to post, I have read it since the beginning. Glad to now join in! Garnets, I again get to go through the jitters of ED. My second D is a senior and also applied ED to DM. It would be great to have both kids at the same school. Magnum, we were fortunate and did get a reservation at the new hotel for parent’s weekend. Can’t wait to try it. Gosh, some Hawaii weather sounds perfect right now…very jealous.</p>
<p>D got home late last night. She was supposed to be home earlier in the day but for some unclear reason decided to stay up all night the night before. But she sat down for “just a few minutes” about a half hour before she was supposed to go catch the Dartmouth Coach and of course then didn’t wake up until long after the bus had left, and the next bus would not get her to the airport in time for her flight. Had to rebook on to a later flight. (Sigh) Teenagers.</p>
The eagles in Lord of the Rings come to mind…</p>