Students Move In, Engage with Orientation

By: Anna Kim, Joonyoung, Catherine Wu, Lucy Jung, Nhan Phan

The Exeter student body, new and returning alike, arrived on campus in the first weeks of September to a bustling period of move-in and orientation.

On Sept. 4, the first wave of new students set foot on campus, engaged in either the International Student Orientation Program (ISO) or the Equitable Exeter Experience (E³). Over the course of three days, they took part in activities that were designed to help them acclimate to campus life, explore aspects of their social identity, have fun with their new friends, and introduce the Academy’s core values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

A day after the orientation programs concluded, the rest of the student body arrived on Sept. 7. Student Leaders who were on campus a week prior and faculty were present to help new and returning students move into the dorms. Following a series of class-based orientation activities, sports, music, and dance tryouts, an Opening Assembly featuring the new addition of an International Flag Procession officially opened the new school year. Students and faculty members expressed their thoughts on orientation programs, move-in day, and hopes for the year ahead.

New international students had the option to sign up for a three-day orientation program to help them transition to Exeter. Students were grouped with older students and met new friends through a variety of activities. “The main purpose of ISO is to help international students have more time to adjust, and this adjustment is in many areas: jetlag, culture shock, and learning about the Academy,” International Student Coordinator Jennifer Smith explained. “It’s a robust program and a lot of work, but it’s the best way to start a new academic year!” 

Chinese instructor and ISO faculty Ning Zhou shared a similar sentiment. “It’s a great opportunity for the new international students to join together,” he said. “I think this is also a great friendship for them to form. During the ISO, we had a lot of discussions with parents and students on how to adjust to the school and how to get to know the campus and its resources. I'm also very grateful to the ISO leaders for coming to school a little early and helping these students and building relationships with them.”

Senior and ISO Leader Sofia Coelho said, “We had some new additions to the program, including more DEI work, which I think is very important when you’re traveling, not only across the country or across the world, but also culturally. We had some explanations about different customs that you should follow and what to do in potentially uncomfortable situations that you might face as an international student. We had some very deep talks about fitting in and our names, but that was intertwined with lots of fun conversations and activities that I thought really added to the program.”

The program encountered some challenges. “We did have some factors that were out of our control, such as drenching rain for the first time in weeks,” Smith said. “I was disappointed that we were not able to close the program with our traditional picnic by the ocean. We instead closed it with a Target run.” 

Senior and ISO Leader Joy Chi added, “I think I would definitely appreciate ISO being extended a little bit, so it feels like there’s time to actually get to know people and not feel stressed about missing something because you’re tired and need your sleep.” 

New lower and ISO participant Alyssa Villanueva agreed. “Maybe make ISO a day longer, with either a free day or the activities spread out a little more. I feel like we barely had time to get settled.”

Despite a few hurdles, the participants largely enjoyed the program. “Meeting other international students helped me relate to people so I felt way more comfortable here for the first couple days,” prep Rebecca Nguyen said. “We went to the Arcade, we did some community-building activities, had a pizza dinner, a bonfire, a Target run, stuff like that.”

Prep Andy Song also enjoyed most of the ISO activities, despite struggling with jetlag on the first day. “We did a lot of group activities like scavenger hunting that helped to get to know people. My favorite was going to the Hilltop fun center.” 

“The icebreakers were probably my favorite part of the program,” new lower Tejas West said. “ISO was really special because there were people from all over the world. I think I met about a hundred people in those three days.” 

New lower Evie Gaylord agreed, “I liked the activities when we were in groups because it meant you got to meet loads of people, rather than just sticking with the person you met first. It was a really good way to move into the community.” 

Lower and ISO leader Hemani Stallard said, “ISO helps make them feel more at home in their surroundings and with a situation that they're not so familiar with, like an American school.” 

Smith agreed. “It’s also normal for students to feel a bit unsure or anxious about such a new place, so far from home,” she said. “We always say that the relationship does not end with ISO and I am hopeful students will seek out their leaders and OMA for support in the coming year.” 

[BREAK TO E³]

E³ was the second orientation program and the newest implemented by the Academy. “E³ is a pre-orientation program for new students of color, low-income students, and students who identify as LGBTQ+ that shows them the resources that they need in the school,” upper and E³ Mentor Advay Nomula said. “It just gives them the headstart that they need just to get started on campus. A boarding school like Exeter, even if you’re a day student, is a completely different environment!”

E³ Faculty and Director of Equity and Inclusion Stephanie Bramlett provided some thoughts on how the program unfolded: “This was the second year of the program in its current iteration. We grew from about 50 new students last year to 81 new Exonians this year. Our mentor team and faculty are amazing! They are really the backbone of the whole E³ experience.” 

As with ISO, the E³ program also had its difficulties. “A large part of the E³ program revolves around identity,” lower and E³ Mentor Maemi Carrillo said. “I think for students who aren’t used to talking so much about their background, it can be difficult and overwhelming. This year, however, I think the program was able to deal with more serious topics in a lighter way.”

Bramlett added, “Time is always the challenge at PEA. We strived to strike a good balance between a meaningful program where students get connected with campus resources and each other and not being too overwhelming and overscheduled. I think we did it.”

Other mentors took inspiration from their own past experiences in orientation. “I actually took part in the E³ program last year as a mentee,” upper and E³ mentor Alexander Luna said. “This year's training was on Saturday and Sunday before the new mentees arrived. Then we basically spent the next three days getting them adjusted. We did an event where we recreated some of the affinity spaces on campus and allowed the mentees to come in if they felt comfortable. It was a great experience to get closer with the mentees and give them a good head start, as I did last year.”

[BREAK TO PROCTORS / STUDENT LISTENERS]

Many upperclassmen shared their experiences as proctors or student listeners, two notable positions of leadership within their dormitories. “I’m really happy that I can give back to the community as a proctor,” Senior and Amen Dorm Proctor Cindy Su said. “I’ve met some of the new students and they’re all super sweet and I’m really excited that they are finding a community within our dorm.”

“As a prep, I was overwhelmed at the start of school with the new environment, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But now as a senior, I want to be there for new students and help them out in any way I can,” senior Krish Patel said.

Senior and Peabody Dorm Proctor Charlie Edwards agreed. “In my first year, my dorm’s proctors were integral to my Exeter adjustment. On my first day, I was greeted by an older-looking student, who, before even asking my name, immediately offered to help with my luggage. His name was Jon Bradbury. In hindsight, being in a completely new place, disoriented and scared, to be welcomed with open arms by such a proctor immediately made me feel at home. 

Edwards highlighted how his prep year proctors still stuck with him to this day. “Jon Bradbury, Ervin Williams, Alex Urquhart, Josh Riddick, Kyle Marshall. I’ll never forget these names, as they shaped my Exeter and Peabody-Hall experience into something special.”

“I’m an upperclassman now and I’m also a student leader,” Nomula, also a day student proctor for Webster Hall said. “It feels kind of weird, but I do have a role on campus now. So I have to be a good role model, and I’m excited for what’s to come. I introduced myself on move-in day, and we were just all chilling on the Webster front lawn talking, having a good time, and eating some donuts. Later I toured the new day-student affiliates.”

Student listeners found that they shared a similar sense of leadership on campus. “The purpose of student listening is to be a good resource for students and to provide them with whatever help they may need,” upper and student listener William Newby said.

“The program is meant to support other students' mental and emotional wellbeing,” senior Dan Han said. “I think our program went well. We did an adequate job, and they picked a number of students who are well suited to support their peers’ emotional and mental wellbeing.”

“It’s right there in the name,” Luna said. “We’re there to listen. If any students come in wanting to chat, or if they’re struggling with some homework or their daily lives, we’re there for them. If they need someone else, we connect them with the right people. We’re just there to be friendly.”

Despite some challenges, many student listeners have already found a rhythm in their role. “I’m the only student listener in Abbot, so I thought it might be a stretch,” upper Ayaan Akhtar said. “But it’s a smaller dorm in general, and a smaller day student population of ten or so. It hasn’t been too bad because there aren’t so many people to look over. And I did my training with the proctors, so I had a support team with me through the process.”

Some had challenges of their own in New Hall. “We don’t have too many new kids in the dorm,” senior Montana Dickerson said. “At this point, it’s mostly been about bridging the gap between Merrill and Langdell and trying to make one cohesive community. But it’s been easier than I thought––for one thing, we have the experience of being kicked out of our dorms in common. The dorm itself is fine. The elevator’s not functional and I had to carry my boxes to the third floor, but not awful by any stretch. And if anyone has rich parents, please donate and get us a new name.”

Leadership training was required for every student listener, scheduled a few days before the new students arrived. “The program was very well done,” upper Sangye Sherpa said. “I learned how to be a better person for others and help students thrive in the rigorous Exeter environment.”

“I really enjoyed our training because we learned how to help out students in our community,” senior Enzo Nakornsri added, “which is important to make sure students on campus maintain a healthy relationship with their peers and themselves.”

Other student listeners provided some feedback to improve next year’s training. “For next year’s program, I would suggest less orientation because it was a bit of a drag,” Hahn said.

“I would have the student leaders come back a little later so that it wasn't two hours of meetings and then just the rest of the day with nothing open,” Newby said.

[BREAK TO STUDENTS]

New students shared their most memorable experiences with their orientation. “I really enjoyed the class activities during orientation,” Su said. “I got to know some more people including the postgraduates, and I think it's always fun and easy to start off the school year. I'm feeling excited.”

Some students commented on the things the Academy could improve in future years. “I see the value in these orientation programs for underclassmen, but most upperclassmen, especially seniors, are already familiar with each other from past years. Excluding the new students in our grade, I would suggest other practical ways of bonding than activities we have done since prep year,” Patel said.

“The Academy seemed to have overenrolled this year,” lower Emily Chai-Onn said. “We don’t have the facilities in certain dorms, Amen included, to accommodate all those people out of the blue. Most of the singles are considered emergency doubles; my room definitely wasn’t meant to fit two people in it. This dorm situation is something the Academy should reconsider in the future.”

“Personally, I think we could have maybe a day after move-in where we don’t have any required appointments,” lower Finn Lorgen said. “But I don’t think it’s too big a deal and I can see why the administration wouldn’t want to do that. It could be nice, though, and it would accommodate people who arrive later because of a flight.”

New students discussed some highlights of the move-in process. “My favorite part was moving into my dorm,” prep Shawna Jiang said. “I really like Amen because it feels like you’re living in a big mansion with all of your friends.”

“I like the system they had for Dunbar, where you drive up and put your stuff down and they bring it to the dorm,” lower Kenzie Carty said. “I think it’s such an amazing process. The proctors have to work pretty hard to bring stuff up and down constantly, but it definitely sets a good impression for your dorm when you first move in.”

“My move-in was awesome,” new lower Bella Bueno said. “I didn’t even know Clare, but she came in and helped me move in and Evie did too. I met new people through the move-in and it was pretty smooth.”

Lamont Hall Faculty and Latin Instructor Lina Wang shared her perspectives on move in day. “Each of Lamont’s dorm faculty had a two-hour shift on move-in day, but I have to give the proctors most of the credit! They were all so helpful and warm to new and returning students alike,” she continued, “I found the practice of moving students’ belongings to their dorms via golf carts to be a great one—it lightened the burden on students and their families, and it reduced traffic on campus.”

Nguyen also talked about her excitement for the upcoming year. “My favorite part is probably my classes and my friends,” she said. “Even though the campus itself is also really beautiful, the most exciting things are getting started with my classes and meeting all my new friends. In terms of workload, I think it's manageable, though I’d say it’s a lot more than what I’m used to.”

New lower Hazel Mutindwa shared her excitement for the new year. “The most exciting part was seeing the campus and the people. Although I had been on campus for admissions tours, I had never felt what it was like to be a student, not a visitor.”

“I hope everyone has a good year,” lower Dylan Schwab said. “The first two weeks are either the easiest or the hardest, depending on what year you’re in, obviously. But I think everyone has a place here, and I’m looking forward to the term ahead.”