For the Forbes family, Iowa City is more than a college town; it's a place to make new memories as a family. Claire Forbes, a second-year human physiology major, knew Iowa City felt like home from a young age. 

Why we chose Iowa

Mark is from north central Iowa, and when our kids were growing up, we tried to make it to at least one Iowa football game each year. When Claire was about 8, she announced that she was going to Iowa for college. She loved the atmosphere, the campus, and the student energy. When it was time to apply to college, she never wavered and only applied to Iowa.

Our favorite Iowa memory

We have so many wonderful family memories that it’s too hard to pick one! In 2016, we were there when Iowa football beat No. 2 Michigan, and we were back in 2019 when we beat the undefeated Minnesota team. After the game, the fans stormed the field. It was a great experience to share with so many excited fans. These core memories are some of the reasons Claire chose Iowa, and we have continued to make new memories with her as a student.

Our campus favorites

It is a long haul from Tulsa, so when we are in town to visit, we try to make the most of our time with Claire. Depending on the season, we will attend a football, basketball, or wrestling meet. We will make a trip to Scheels and the IMU Bookstore for spirit wear, because you can never have too much! There are so many great places to eat in Iowa City, but we enjoy Encounter for coffee and breakfast, Bluebird Café, Pullman, Mickey’s for burger baskets, and Estela’s. If we are not too full, Yotopia is a great way to end a full day in Iowa City.

Our advice for Hawkeye parents

Walk the campus, explore the city! Encourage your student to get involved. There is something for everyone. Try a club, volunteer, attend a concert, go to a game, try a new restaurant, put on your walking shoes, and explore. There is no shortage of things to do, and once your student has “settled in,” let them take you on a tour and show you all the places they have discovered.

How we stay connected

We stay connected like most families. We text, call, and FaceTime. We visit when we can, and we send snail mail and an occasional care package to let Claire know we are thinking about her.