The International Student Center (ISC) offers an orientation for dependents during the Fall and Spring semesters. Dependents are encouraged to come. We will provide more details on the information below and spouses will have an opportunity to meet other newcomers. Please contact ISC for the upcoming orientation schedule.
Dependents of K-State students, faculty and visiting scholars are invited to ISC events, such as Coffee Hour, participate in the Basic Language Training (BLT), and the Conversational English Program. For more inforamtion on these go to http://www.k-state.edu/intlstucenter/programs/index.htm. Dependents can also utilize on-campus facilities including Lafene Health Center (http://www.k-state.edu/lafene/), Hale Library (http://www.lib.ksu.edu/) , and Recreational Services Facilities (http://www.recservices.ksu.edu/) .
The ISC supports a non-religious organization established for American and international women of Manhattan, called World Friendship. This organization provide you with an opportunity to make new friends, improve your English, develop creative skills and share different cultures. For more information on World Friendship, visit http://www.k-state.edu/icc/WorldFriendship/worldfriendship.html.
If you would like to socialize with people from your own country, contact your International Student Association. To find the contact information, go to http://www.k-state.edu/intlstucenter/associations.htm. Another student group called, the International Coordination Council (http://www.k-state.edu/icc/)acts as a facilitator among all International Student Associations, and puts together events for international programs, such as International Education Week in November, and International Week in April. You are encouraged to participate in those events as well as the monthly meetings.
Art Exhibitions of Beach Museum (http://www.k-state.edu/bma/) and concerts and performances of McCain Auditorium (http://www.k-state.edu/mccain/) might meet your special interests. The Music Department also offers concerts free of charge throughout the semester. The schedule of events can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/music/. Out in the community, Manhattan Arts Center (http://www.manhattanarts.org/) also offers concerts and performances we well as arts and crafts classes.
Employment opportunities are limited to those with J-2 visa with permission from USCIS. Dependents with F-2 and H-4 are NOT eligible to work. However, H-4 dependents are eligible to take K-State credit courses. Although F-2 dependents are able to take classes for interest or to pursue a hobby, they cannot take credits towards a degree program. Various creative courses are offered to all, regardless of visa status, off-campus at UFM Community Learning Center (http://www.k-state.edu/ufm), and Adult Learning Center (http://www.usd383.org).
For information on applying for J-2 work authorization, click here.
If you are interested in community activities, please go to websites City of Manhattan ( http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us/), Manhattan Public Library (http://www.manhattan.lib.ks.us/), and/or local newspaper Manhattan Mercury (http://www.themercury.com/) for more information. You can obtain flyers, leaflets, brochures, etc. if you visit Manhattan Public Library or the Manhattan Town Center.
The City of Manhattan's Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of classes and sports for children of all ages. Their web site is located at http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us/ParksAndRec/.
Manhattan has a wonderful zoo to visit. The zoo also offers various activities for all ages. There are classes as well as volunteer opportunities. For more information go to http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us/SunsetZoo/.
The Manhattan Public Library offers reading programs for children as well as adults. Getting a library card is free and so are most of programs offered. At the library you can also borrow books, all music and video media for free. The web address for the library is http://www.manhattan.lib.ks.us/
As mentioned above, the Manhattan Arts Center as well as UFM also offer classes for children. Their web sites are listed above. Check them out.