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What former M.A. students have said about orientation week:
"It was great to have such casual interaction with such influential non-profit leaders."
"After these few days I feel so much more informed and knowledgeable."
"It instilled hope in my career possibilities."
"An exciting and fulfilling week."
An integral and required part of the program, the one-week orientation brings together all M.A. students in a U.S. city before the Mexico and Jamaica semesters begin. Orientation for the 2008-09 M.A. program will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Activities for the week include: an introduction to the program and to the countries where it takes place; discussion of the theory and practice of experiential education and how to use reflection and other methods to draw learning from experience; training in intercultural communication; visits to local service organizations; workshops; and the opportunity for students to get to know each other. During this time, you begin the required course, "Reflection on Service-Learning":
Reflection on Service-Learning
This course begins during orientation and continues through the fall and spring semesters. It provides you with the opportunity to reflect upon your intercultural and service experiences during the program through seminar discussion and group work. You learn methods for examining and interpreting your experiences, such as how to consider multiple interpretations of events, how you make attributions, and how you hypothesize, test hypotheses, and draw conclusions.
Orientation week also provides an opportunity for you to think about personal goals, career development, and upcoming job searches. Accommodations and some meals are arranged by IPSL and are included in the program fee.
