Chicago Semester

Fall 2010 Orientation Week

Posted by Janelle Kibbe in Orientation in Student Activities | Sep 09, 2010

This past week was orientation week for the fall semester of Chicago Semester. The arrival of orientation week means it’s time for the students to come to the city to start their semester! And, in just one week of "orientation," they confirm housing, meet friends and roommates, go to interviews and decide on an internship (general students), and learn to use the public transportation (a.k.a. the CTA)--so many accomplishments in such a short time! Needless to say, it’s always an exciting, fun, and eventful week.
 
For students orientation week can be a bit nerve-wrecking (Will I find a roommate? Will I make new friends? Will I get lost on the El? etc.), but it also holds the hope and excitement of a new semester—and not only any semester, but a semester in the big city! A semester away from home campuses, away from “the usual.” A time to explore city life, career options, and the beginnings of life after school.
 
On the staff end, orientation week can also be a bit nerve-wrecking; we always wonder if we’ll be able to pull off another orientation week. And, we also always wonder how many bumps there will be along the way (Do we have our presentations prepared? Will any students get lost? Will they be excited about all this city has to offer?) But, once again, we successfully made it through orientation week; having done it so many times before, we are a well-oiled machine! All of our students officially have internships for the semester and apartments to live in. Friendships are already forming, students are at their internship sites, the city is reveling in September sunshine, and the staff is busy planning fall events. It’s going to be another great semester!