Explore South Bend Frosh Tour
August 24, 2009

The City of South Bend hosts a tour and introduction of attractions, eateries, activities and places of interest for the Freshmen of Notre Dame, St. Mary's, Holy Cross and Indiana University in South Bend (IUSB).  We were fortunate to have been assigned a small International group of students who will be attending IUSB. 

Our 6 International students loaded a Transpo city bus at IUSB to start their journey around the city, highlighting such areas and activities as the St. Joseph River and the East Race Waterway for canoeing and kayaking and the Riverwalk; Eddy Street Commons; Notre Dame and the Indiana University School of Medicine; the many miles of bike lanes & trails; South Bend Civic Theater; Historic West Washington Street consisting of several fabulous B&Bs, the Studebaker Museum, Copshaholm, the Center for History and Tippecanoe Place; Ignition Park, which will be the home to a Technology Park, and is also the site of the old Studebaker manufacturing plant; Coveleski Stadium, home of the Silverhawks baseball team; the College Football Hall of Fame; and the South Bend Police Department and Country Jail, stressing that they try to avoid seeing the inside of both of those facilities. 

The tour ended downtown on the Jon Hunt Plaza in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center for pizza supplied by Bruno's, Barnaby's and Luigi's Pizza.  Before loading the Transpo buses for their return to campus, the students visited South Bend Chocolate Cafe for a sweet chocolate fountain treat.

South Bend totally outdid themselves with a fabulous informational evening for the new residents in our community!

Our 6 International passengers in Downtown South Bend:  From South Korea, Russia, Africa, Mexico, 2 from China, and Vivian (an IUSB Student Affairs representative) in front right.

Headed to South Bend Chocolate Cafe.

Some great dipping treats!

Our 2 students from China.

Our student from South Korea.

A welcome from Mayor Steve Luecke and Denise Brown, an intern at the Mayor's Office.

Then pizza is served!  Phil D'Amico of the Chamber of Commerce and Carolyne Wallace of the Convention and Visitors' Bureau.

Below photos are on our lovely Jon Hunt Plaza in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center.  The students were awaiting the drawing of the prizes to be given out, with the first prize being a set of tickets to a Notre Dame Home Football Game.

A marvelous turnout for this great event!

Exploring their goodie bags.