By Jennifer Eder
While classes started Monday, one-third of the freshman class had already received an early glimpse of college life.
This year, the George Washington University offered a handful of freshman transition programs, including camping trips, community service projects, leadership training and tours of the District.
While the programs offer different activities, they all share a similar purpose: to ease the transition into college.
“It’s a great way for them to make friends before they even start school,” says Mario Peraza, coordinator for student involvement at GW’s Student Activity Center.
Almost 150 students chose to spend their week in the outdoors.
The largest “Project Exploration” trip was the Multi-Sport Adventure, which took freshman camping through the back country of West Virginia. In addition to whitewater rafting, the students had the opportunity to go kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking or compete in a mud obstacle course.
For freshman Patrick Abrams, the highlight of the trip was white water rafting.
“It was pretty intense,” says Mr. Abrams, who’s studying international economics in the Elliott School of International Affairs. “There were some great rapids.”
Senior Lizzie Speaker went on the Multi-Sport Adventure as a freshman and because she had such a great experience, she’s been a guide for the trip the past three years.
The best part about the trip is meeting other students before the school year even starts, says Ms. Speaker, who’s majoring in communications in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
“The girl I sat next to on the bus and the people I shared a tent with when I first did the multi-sport trip as a freshman are still my really good friends,” she says.
Freshman also get the chance to meet upperclassmen, who serve as guides during the trip, and ask them questions about classes, college life and how to get involved on campus.
Ms. Speaker credits her involvement with student theatre and Greek life to first learning about it on Project Exploration trip.
“Having those upperclassmen encourage me to get involved on campus made me happier and more successful at GW,” she says.
GW also offered a backpacking trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a white water rafting trip on West Virginia’s New River, a surfing trip to Virginia Beach, Va. and a rock climbing trip to Seneca Rocks, W.Va.
“A lot of students have never been camping, and there are some things that push them beyond anything they’ve ever done before,” says Ms. Speaker. “And being in the mindset that you can do more than you thought you could is a nice way to start out the school year.”
Another bonus to participating in one of GW’s transition programs is being able to move into the residence halls early.
“It was so nice to have a chance to settle in before everyone else got to campus,” says Emily Tran, a freshman who went on the Multi-Sport Adventure.
Other students chose to spend their time volunteering around the District in GW’s Community Building Community Program.
About 220 freshmen spent two days volunteering at places like homeless shelters, soup kitchen, elementary schools and retirement communities.
“For many students, this serves as the gateway to get involved in community service throughout their time at GW,” says Shannon Donahue, freshman service coordinator.
Danny Wein, a freshman from Highland Park, Ill., cleaned up parks in the Mount Vernon Triangle area and spent a day at St. Mary’s Court, an independent living facility for seniors, where he cleaned residents’ apartments and helped serve lunch.
“I wanted to give back and to explore areas of D.C. I wouldn’t normally see as a college student,” says Mr. Wein, who’s studying political science in CCAS. “It really opened my eyes to the city as a whole.”
After participating in Community Building Community, Mr. Wein thinks service will be a significant part of his GW experience.
“Because we’re going to be residents of D.C. for four years, I think we have a responsibility to learn more about not just Foggy Bottom but the District in general,” he says.