I remember my New Students Orientation last year and how excited I was for it. I was excited to move in, to meet my neighbors, classmates, people in general, and to start my college experience. I had an incredible time throughout that week last year, so I knew that I wanted to be a part of it again this year, even if it was from the other side of it.
As a part of Slater International Center’s Eboard, I had to join the team that was going to organize the orientation for international students, which starts a few days before orientation for all incoming freshmen. I met with the team a few times over the summer, but the actual work for me started once I got to campus 3–4 days before international orientation started.
Landing in Boston
Those three days felt like a month to be honest. I was tired, busy, but also really happy and excited. Since we had so little time to prepare, those few days were a bit hectic, but they did manage to turn a group of strangers into a team. All the hours we spent in Slater making presentations, all the car drives around campus, all the conversations and reflections made it possible for us to start trusting each other and feel prepared to welcome the new international students on our campus.
Reflections on our time preparing to be International Orientation Mentors
The four days of the International Students Orientation were amazing. I was so tired by the end of it, but it was so worth it. I met a lot of the international students, and I loved every second of getting to know them. I think that orientation went really well, and people seemed to be enjoying it in general. I won’t spoil the events for anyone who might be joining us for orientation next year, but I promise you—it’s more fun than it may seem on paper! There’s lots of time to socialize and a lot of cool events to get to know your peers and adjust to your new surroundings and life abroad.
A photo from one of the presentations with flags in the background
When the domestic students arrived, my official time on the job ended, so I had a few days to rest after that crazy week. My roommate was an orientation mentor for the general New Students Orientation, so I did sneak in to some of the events and met even more first-years, which was fun. The weather was great (maybe a bit too humid and hot at times though), and the whole path around the lake was open, which doesn’t happen as often as I would have liked. This is a photo of the campus from the other side of the lake:
View from the other side of the lake
That’s all I can say about the freshmen orientation without spoiling the experience, but I can assure you—it’s a really fun experience!