<p>I have been a regular lurker at cc since september and I thank all the experienced posters here for all the information that helped my son get into williams. I am really excited about his admission. We live in India. I guess some parents on the board might have roots in this part of the world. The differences, from culture to climate, food (we are vegetarians) to etiquette ....make me nervous as we get nearer to the fall. Any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son! There are other parents who live in tropical countries and whose children attend cold weather schools. They'll be able to tell you more about their children's experiences. Many colleges now cater to vegetarians so I predict it won't be a big problem at Williams, though your S may not quite like the cuisine. Taste in food is very hard to change.</p>
<p>SandyMom:
Speaking as an immigrant with Indian roots, let me reassure you - I suspect your son will adjust just fine. There are tons of Indian kids who come to the US every year, both as grads and undergrads. As for cuisine - unless he knows how to cook his dal/roti (if Northern) or vadai/sambar (if Southern), the standard vegetarian fare at most US colleges leaves a little to be desired, if you like Indian food. There are, however, <em>plenty</em> of frozen/pre-packaged Indian dishes available in speciality stores across the US - as long as he has access to a microwave, he will be fine.</p>
<p>(...either that, or he had better start liking celery :) )</p>
<p>Food seems to be the theme - as a non-vegetarian touring colleges this past year, I was impressed at the number of schools having vegetarian options, but usually only one vegetarian entree plus ala carte veggies and a salad bar. I would think that would get repetitive fast, plus Williamstown is pretty small. I would take the time to give him some lessons in simple cuisine, and how to eat healthy as a vegetarian. You probably don't even have to think about this cooking at home - getting sufficient proteins and vitamins just happens naturally, but when he is picking and choosing among relatively limited items, he made need some guidance. Also multivitamins - I think they are good for all college students, vegan or not - makes up for some of those late nights and pizza as breakfast mornings.</p>
<p>Optimizerdad: Having lived in both the north and south of India, S is used to dal/roti as well as vadai/sambar. we do plan to have some cooking sessions during his vacations but I don't know how far it will help him as he will have to stay in the dorm.</p>
<p>cangel: that is a nice suggestion you have given about eating healthy. I did go through the menu posted on the college site -- I am not familiar with the names of many vegetarian items; I hope there will be a dietician or someone who would give him the required guidance.</p>
<p>Regarding the weather, how difficult is it for anyone from the tropics to adjust to such cold climates?</p>
<p>SandyMom:
Most colleges require students to stay in dorms for their first year; after that, he will probably have the option of moving off-campus and sharing an apartment with other students. So being able to cook is a definite plus. </p>
<p>Even while he is in the dorms, a typical US college/university has a large refrigerator & a microwave shared by students in a single wing. Some will allow small personal refrigerators in individual rooms as well. The availability of Indian food depends on whether he is going to a large city (like Chicago, say) or out in the boondocks. Pre-cooked rotis are now available virtually <em>everywhere</em>, as tortillas. For the fancier stuff, he will have to make a trip to the Indian equivalent of Chinatown every few weeks.</p>
<p>As for weather - I lived in South India for most of my life till I got my undergrad degree, and came to an upstate NY university in the US for graduate studies. I had no problems adjusting, neither did most other Indian students I knew. A few did have problems. If he is going to anywhere in the northern half of the US (where winter temperatures routinely drop below freezing), a good winter parka or similar coat is a must, as are a good pair of gloves & winter boots. He should buy them after he gets to the US.</p>
<p>Well, Williams is definitely not in a large town! I would suggest that you contact the admissions office and ask if you can talk to someone in charge of dining halls. I'm sure they will try very hard to be accommodating. They are used to dealing with students with various dietary restrictions. They might even be willing to try your recipes!</p>
<p>Cheers: At a place like Williams, it might actually be possible to talk to someone in food services. A student with food allergies would definiely want to do so.</p>
<p>Sorry Marite--thinking more about the S's perspective. Hard to imagine a boy would seek out the college dietician for guidance--over a few tips from like-minded students....but maybe that's just my boys...</p>
<p>Cheers, I was thinking more of the parents writing to the head of food services now, since the student has already been admitted, to enquire about the range of vegetarian food available. Food has become a very important recruiting tool on many campuses. When we visited several years ago, we were impressed by the claims of "make your own pasta" "unlimited free ice cream" "ranked # 1 for food in USNWWR" and so forth.
OT: My S's former elementary school has brought out a cookbook with recipes from around the world contributed by students and parents. It seems to be a very successful fundraising tool.</p>
<p>Sandymom, I am an American who lives in Indonesia and my son is a sophomore at Williams. First, congratulations to you and your son. Williams is a wonderful college with warm and friendly students and supportive and accessible faculty. If you're going to send your child thousands of miles away from home, Williamstown is a great place to end up.</p>
<p>Williams kids in general are quite health conscious. There are many, many vegetarian choices (though they tend toward Western instead of Asian.) Pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, vegetables, and salad are always available. There is an Indian restaurant in Williamstown. Im sure a lot has been lost in translation, but its not too bad.</p>
<p>Williamstown has very severe weather. The kids have fun in the snow, but its important to dress for it. Your son will need a warm jacket, boots, hat, scarves, gloves, socks, long underwear. There have been several threads on this board about where to buy wintergear. Will you be going to the US with him in the Fall? If yes, will you stop in a major city where you can shop? If no, there are several options for shopping on line. </p>
<p>There are quite a few Indians and South and Southeast Asians at Williams. Plus the kids are genuinely kind and helpful. Every freshman is assigned to an entry group of about 20 kids who become an instant social group for meals and activities, so no one is left out. Each entry is overseen by two Junior Advisors, who are there to give advice and help with problems. </p>
<p>Please feel free to send me a private message through this board if I can help you or your son in any way.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. As suggested, I would email the person in-charge of food services at Williams. I have also been following the other thread on clothing for east coast schools. So much I derive from CC.</p>
<p>There is also a new Indian restaurant (north Indian) on Spring Street (that's the main street) in Williamstown. A little pricey (by my standards, but then I'm relatively poor), but pretty good!</p>
<p>My d. brought back a kilo of homemade sambar powder from Tamil Nadu, and at least once a week at Smith makes curd rice with pickles for all of her friends. (Smith actually has an Asian food dining hall, though more of it is likely to be east rather than south Asian.)</p>
<p>Do check out the clothing carefully. Williamstown is really, really cold (but also very, very beautiful.) The key to enjoying the beauty is dressing right (something I never did when I was there, and regret it.)</p>
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<p>A little pricey (by my standards, but then I'm relatively poor), but pretty good!</p>
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<p>That is what I'm worried about too. I also considered a reduced meal plan (14 instead of 21) and managing some visits to the restaurant but that does not leave out much in $$. I think we can get the real picture only after he has actually lived in williamstown for some time.</p>
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<p>My d. brought back a kilo of homemade sambar powder from Tamil Nadu, and at least once a week at Smith makes curd rice with pickles for all of her friends. </p>
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<p>That is great! Williams site says rice cooker is a no-no in the dorm. Is it allowed at smith? </p>
<p>Yes, I am following different threads on clothing for severe climates. Since snow is something we have seen only in books and movies, I'm planning to take all advice I can get before we buy.</p>
<p>Sandymom
If you live in North India, perhaps you could shop for some basic winter clothes for him, especially since so many of the clothes we buy in the U.S. are now made in India. Wool socks, wool sweaters (pullovers), knit caps, long scarf, gloves, etc.
I have also sent you a pm</p>
<p>"That is great! Williams site says rice cooker is a no-no in the dorm. Is it allowed at Smith?"</p>
<p>Smith just went through a dining consolidation, collapsing 32 separate dining rooms into 22, with many of them offering different food choices, including an Asian food dining room, a vegan/vegetarian, a grab-n-go, a Mediterranean (that's where my d. usually eats - good veggie options), and various others. She specifically asked to be placed in a house where they DIDN'T have dining, because the kitchens were refurbished for student use. So it worked out great for her. </p>
<p>It would be really pricey to eat out in Williamstown often (by my standards), and there aren't alot of choices. However, if you work with food services, especially in advance, I'm sure they'll find a way to accommodate a rice cooker, and etc. </p>
<p>The trick on clothing is layers! Inside, the buildings can be like furnaces, and one needs to be able to peel as you go from one microclimate to another. And good boots. </p>
<p>But don't let this scare you - while it is very cold, in winter (and it lasts a long time),Williamstown can be beautiful almost beyond belief, and when dressed right, it more than makes up for it.</p>
<p>sandymom,
You're right; no cooking in the dorm.
Here's what my son says about prices at the Indian restaurant:
"most of the vegetarian dishes are about $7 and those with meat about $12. Most people just get the "student special" for $10, which is a slightly smaller main portion along with rice and nan. They also offer a 10 take-out meals for $50, which is popular among students on reduced meal plans/those who live far from dinning halls/those that just like Indian food."</p>
<p>Actually, Momrath is correct (I forgot). With the rebuilding of the student center, the College has been encouraging restaurants "downtown" (well, there is one street) to offer student-priced food options, to help take up the slack. Good both for the College and for businesses, and best of all, for students!</p>