Life at Merry Lea
Setting
Live, study, explore, and teach on site in the outdoor classroom of Merry Lea: where you can walk through oak hickory forests, a pawpaw grove, or a restored prairie to class.
Most of the ecosystems found in Northeastern Indiana are present at Merry Lea. The 1,189-acre preserve is among the best-assembled land preserves in Indiana and contains a wonderful complex of wetlands, lakeshores, upland and lowland forests, prairies and meadows. Unique geological features such as peat bogs, a marl pit, and glacial gravel formations are also part of the landscape. The Merry Lea Sustainable Farm showcases strategies for growing food without harming surrounding ecosystems.
Classes are held mostly outdoors exploring the nature preserve. In the winter classes are held indoors, but several field trips throughout the year combine indoor meetings and outdoor tour experiences.
The program provides an immersion in natural history that will enable participants to share their knowledge and passion with society.
Student Cohorts
Live and learn with a small cohort of other passionate, aspiring educators. We typically have cohorts between 5 and 11 students. This allows for meaningful collaborations between students and staff, as well as individualized mentoring and advising from the faculty.
Students and applicants come from various educational and professional backgrounds. We have had students from 22-50 years old with backgrounds in environmental studies, biology, classroom teaching, and in the humanities like: psychology, religion, art history, and Latino studies. These diverse experiences enhance the dialogue and team-based learning within the cohort.
Housing
Housing is available for rent on site at Merry Lea. These houses are set along prairies, forests, or wetlands and have hiking trails nearby for you to explore!
We have three farmhouses that have been extensively renovated and provide basic amenities like cooking ware, dishes, furniture, and high speed WiFi. The monthly rent is about $375 and includes utilities. Although renting a farmhouse requires that you share a living and kitchen space, each student will have their own bedroom.
Because graduate students are responsible for organizing their own housing during the program, some have rented or lived in Wolf Lake, Goshen, Fort Wayne, or other towns within a 30 to 45-minute commute.
Please reach out to one of our faculty if you have any questions.
Schedule a Visit
Coming to campus and meeting with our faculty is a great way to know whether Merry Lea of Goshen College is a good fit for you. Schedule a visit online or reach out by phone or email if you would like to take the next step.