Tips for Addressing MN Nice on Your Campus BEFORE STARTING TIP 1: Get more involved than you usually do The majority of Minnesotans have never moved out the state so they don't know what it’s like to be a new person. They take for granted that they can hang out with their best friends (since elementary school!) on the weekends or drive to their parents’ house a few miles down the road for Thanksgiving dinner. Transplants don't have these same opportunities so they need help. Suggestions: • • •

Have a special orientation session for people who are moving from outside of Minnesota. Check in with them frequently and before major holidays to see how things are going. Facilitate a special holiday gathering, ideally on the actual day of the holiday. Proactively send them information you think will be helpful.

TIP 2: Explain that we have a unique culture in Minnesota Help transplants understand the more challenging aspects of Minnesota Nice they might not be ready for. One of the big ones is that building friendships can take longer here than expected. Encourage them to be patient and be proactive which could include starting their own book club, knitting or running group.

TIP 3: Help them start building build a network and get connected socially The biggest factor for working professionals in terms of retention, is a feeling of connectedness. The most successful transplants start making social connections before they move. Provide them information on meetup.com groups, professional associations, and student or social organizations before they get here.

AFTER STARTING TIP 4: Know that it is okay to “intrude” When people move into a new culture or to a new place they typically need help and frequently expect others to offer. Questions like, “How are getting along?” or “Have you found a good daycare?” are welcome. Minnesotans typically don’t want to be nosy so they avoid asking such questions. It is not intruding, it’s called helping. Just do it!

TIP 5: Match them up with a mentor or coach This should be someone who really understands Minnesota Nice and can translate some of the more perplexing behaviors to the outsider. Good mentors are often transplants who have been

Corey Bonnema | Jerilyn Veldof

here for a while. They can help in areas on the opposite side of the Spectrum of Acceptable Behavior that we spoke about (e.g. being really direct and candid, expressing anger, etc.)

TIP 6: Introduce them to other transplants After the initial orientations and events ease up, some transplants enter into a long, lonely period before they’ve made friends organically. You can mitigate this period by scheduling social events on an on-going basis that encourage interaction and connection. This is often particularly helpful for introverts without a partner or children.

TIP 7: Expose them to uniquely Minnesota things Transplants who thrive here frequently have one thing in common, a neighbor or work colleague who introduced them to uniquely Minnesota activities. Take time to explain the basic rules of hockey or how to make a “hot dish”. Show them how to drive in the snow (what is black ice?). Better yet, invite them to your cabin up North! Ask them to your daughter’s hockey game. Take them ice fishing or snowmobiling.

TIP 8: Help them find important links to home When in a new culture one thing that provides comfort is connecting to favorite things from home like food, sports teams and social events. Help the person find a grocery store or restaurant where they can get their favorite foods. Locate bars where other sports fans of their teams get together to watch the game.

TIP 9: Don’t forget the rest of the family! Research from organizations that send employees on an overseas works assignment has found biggest reason these assignments fail is because the partner or other family member is unhappy. Partners who don't work or aren't in school frequently feel isolated because they have less social interaction. Share information and resources with all family members. Get them involved in events and planning. Help them get connected as well.

Learn More! Look for the book on Amazon:

Minnesota Nice? A Transplant's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Minnesota

Check out the Website: http://thriveMNnice.com

Corey Bonnema | Jerilyn Veldof