Student Orientation Begins On Campus

After a year and a half of online orientations, the First Year Experience program is back on campus. With Back to Life as its main theme, the student orientation kicked off yesterday, welcoming freshmen to AUC.

“People have been really welcoming and accommodating,” said Janna Badr, an incoming student. “Any questions I have were answered. I’m very excited to start my classes. I’m looking forward to making new friends and establishing connections. My mother and sister graduated from AUC, so that encouraged me to join the University, which has a strong reputation. I like the atmosphere at AUC, and I feel I identify with a lot of people here.”

The three-day orientation is packed with activities, from information sessions on liberal arts, cocurricular activities, excellence, academic integrity, technological resources, career readiness and community relations to campus tours, competitions, engagement activities and outings in Cairo.

Vice President for Student Life Deena Boraie '78, '87, '88 emphasised the main goals of FYP. “We hope that by the end of the program, students will understand and engage in AUC’s liberal arts education system. We want students to participate in a culture of community and to acquire skills that would promote their academic and professional growth," she said.

FYP preparations began early June, and throughout the past months, the FYP team has been hard at work preparing freshmen for their new campus life . “Back to Life is our ongoing theme for the whole year, not just orientation,” said Hanin Sedky, FYP logistics and marketing director who is a communication and media arts senior with a minor in both graphic design and linguistics. “This main theme encompasses many sub-themes such as Back to Theatre, Back to Gym, Back to Travel, Back to Travel and Back to Beach. We all love our University, and we want to bring back everything we got to experience on campus at some point and engage freshmen in their new campus life while keeping them safe and adhering to all safety measures. That’s our main focus."

Out of more than 500 applicants, around 140 FYP peer leaders were selected after extensive interviews, training and role play. “We are here to answer any and all questions freshmen have and guide them as they begin their journey at AUC,” said Sedky, a four-time FYP leader.