More than 5,700 new students have officially begun their Orange journey at 51爆料网.
Their first stop? 鈥攁 bustling lineup of events and activities designed to familiarize first year and transfer students with campus. From icebreakers and resource fairs to information sessions and introductory lectures, Welcome Week is about all things Orange.
Max Remler 鈥�29, a finance major from Cape Cod in Massachusetts, says the experience has made him feel 鈥渞ight at home.鈥� 鈥淢y friends and I are excited for classes to begin. We also can鈥檛 wait to cheer on the Orange in the Dome,鈥� he continues, name-checking Top 40 prospect Kiyan Anthony, who鈥檚 the son of basketball legend Carmelo Anthony H鈥�25. 鈥淚鈥檓 stoked.鈥�
In Good Hands
Welcome Week begins with the arrival of international students followed by half of the undergraduate student body. Many are headed toward the University鈥檚 two-dozen residence halls or 1,100 apartments of all matter of accommodations and amenities.
For students and families alike, the gamut of emotions鈥攅xcitement, anticipation, anxiety, sadness鈥攊s virtually palpable.
鈥淚鈥檓 psyched to be on my own, to be independent and self-sufficient,鈥� exclaims Averie Tillotson 鈥�29, a native of Skaneateles, New York, whose great-grandfather also attended Syracuse. 鈥淚 feel like the University has my back.鈥�
Her father nods in agreement, noting the many services and resources available to his daughter, who鈥檚 an aspiring marketer. 鈥淎verie has everything she needs to succeed at Syracuse鈥攁nd to land a job. She鈥檚 in good hands,鈥� he says reassuringly.
A Sense of Connection
Central to move-in鈥攁nd Welcome Week, in general鈥攊s Syracuse鈥檚 beloved Goon Squad. A campus tradition for more than 80 years, Goons help new students with luggage and field questions like Where鈥檚 the dining hall? and How do I meet other students?
They also understand that the University is a microcosm of the world, reflecting a diversity of cultures and experiences.
It鈥檚 this rich tapestry that inspires Goons to be in the student-satisfaction business. It鈥檚 also what attracts students like Tuan Nguyen 鈥�29 from clear across the globe. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to come to Syracuse,鈥� says the Vietnamese-born computer science major. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a sense of connection, of shared values, that makes me feel at home here.鈥�
Buzzing with Anticipation
Welcome Week presents myriad opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with campus and one another. Whether at an Orange Family Reception, an ice cream social or a Living-Learning Communities (LLC) picnic, everyone buzzes with anticipation.
Leave it to Otto to bring Welcome Week to a fever pitch, sharing hugs, handshakes and high-fives with students and families alike. 鈥淥tto is truly adorbs,鈥� shrieks one new student, after snapping a selfie with the Hall of Famer mascot.
Perhaps the biggest take-away of Welcome Week is the realization that students are part of something bigger than themselves.
During a walking tour of downtown Syracuse, Kiara Becquet and Niccol貌 Moretti鈥攆irst year students from France and Italy, respectively鈥攂onded over their interest in contemporary art. They鈥檙e especially surprised to learn about the close partnership with the .
鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe how much culture is here,鈥� says Moretti, gazing at the fa莽ade of the Landmark Theatre. The former professional roller-skater hopes to round out his international relations education with participation in the .
Becquet, a painter with a flair for plastics engineering, is equally amazed. 鈥淚 look forward to possibly incorporating art into my engineering studies. So many possibilities,鈥� she says, her voice trailing off.
Ready to Begin
Welcome Week is about students actively seeking out connections. Finding their community. Intentional educational environments like LLCs can help.
鈥淥urs is like a built-in support system,鈥� said Aubrey Williams 鈥�28, a member of the engineering LLC in Shaw Hall. 鈥淲e do everything together鈥攕tudy, eat, go on trips.鈥�
Indeed, relationship building comes in many forms. Some argue it鈥檚 invisible work that takes shape as students become more confident. Or it could be that the most significant relationships are hiding in plain sight. Either way, Welcome Week facilitates the discovery process.
鈥淓verything has led to this moment,鈥� says Tillotson, practically bursting with excitement. 鈥淚鈥檓 surrounded by good people who believe in me. I鈥檓 ready to begin my journey.鈥�
