Weekend trip outdoors offers chance for graduate students to de-stress

Graduate students will have a chance to socialize and de-stress this weekend as part of a planned outdoor activity meant to coincide with the end of the graduate student appreciation week. \nThe event, which includes kayaking, cave tours, canoeing and hiking, is coordinated by IU's Outdoor Adventures and sponsored by the Graduate and Professional Student Organization, which represents graduate students. \n"We're putting (this) together for graduate students and professional (students) to meet one another and to see what else Indiana has to offer," said Paul Rohwer, the GPSO's moderator. \nThe activities will be scheduled in two sessions -- one in the morning and another in the afternoon -- and will take place at different parks and recreational locations in Bloomington and Bedford. All will be accompanied by guides, and the GPSO is subsidizing the cost of transportation and lunch, said Reem Sweiss, the GPSO's public relations director. \n"We get excellent deals for graduate students to really take advantage of the things here that they wouldn't be able to do otherwise," she said. \nCurrently, 50 people have signed up for the activities, although Sweiss said spaces are still available. Graduate students, their families and friends are eligible to participate, she said. \n"Every student that I speak to feels isolated in some respect in their department and schools and so offering these events is some way to link together the community," Rohwer said. \nThe events come at the end of the GPSO's graduate student appreciation week, part of a national celebration, which included a tour of the IU Art Museum on Sunday and a wine tasting at Tutto Bene wine cafe Tuesday. A happy hour, part of the group's normal social calendar, will be offered Friday at Upstairs Pub, 430 E. Kirkwood Ave. \n"Everyone gets a week and this is our week to be appreciated," Rohwer said. \nThroughout the week, campus schools and departments have also provided food and refreshments to graduate students to recognize them, \nRohwer said.