Orientation was a pinnacle experience that transformed me as an individual, introduced me to a wonderful community, and affirmed why I chose Chapman.
My first year at Chapman was fully remote due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down hopes of an in-person first year. I had many hopes to enter Chapman as a brand-new self and expected extraordinary experiences. Unfortunately, with the dawn of the pandemic, my excitement transformed into fear. I now feared that I would struggle to make new college friends on a virtual platform and felt that my vision for a successful first year at Chapman was nothing but a mere dream.
Orientation gave me a more positive outlook on Chapman and introduced me to my mentors and role models: my Orientation Leaders (OLs). During Orientation, I learned about the values of Chapman, the tips and tricks of how to graduate as a Poli-Sci major, and most importantly, I felt a sense of belonging. I logged onto zoom every morning to attend my Fenestra Forums and was amazed by how much energy my OLs had to keep my hopes up for college!
Inspired by the efforts of my OLs to create a virtual orientation experience, I applied to be an Orientation Leader myself the following year. The Fall of 2021 marked the return of in-person schooling, and it would be my first time as an OL and my first time having an in-person Orientation.
I still vividly remember loudly cheering students on while they walked through the student-created tunnel on Wilson Field. That same night, I sat beside other OLs and witnessed colorful fireworks explode while the summer breeze brushed across my face. Hearing the We Are Chapman speeches were eye-opening and made me understand the different identities our student body represented. I was proud to be a Chapman Panther. After those heartfelt speeches, all the students embraced each other, crying, laughing, and dancing as we witnessed the singing of Chapman's favorite performer, Ronabir, who dazzled us with his strumming of the sitar. Also, how can I forget the beautiful Candle Lighting Ceremony, where students gave inspiring speeches as the proud parents bid their children goodbye. Orientation; a weeklong program where memories form and friends unite.
Overall, Orientation made me feel like I belonged on this campus while introducing me to some of my closest peers and teaching me the importance of community service through leadership. As you embark on your Chapman journey, do not be afraid to put yourself out there and attend as many events as possible. Orientation can be overwhelming; after all, you are surrounded by unknown faces on unknown territory. But I strongly encourage you to get involved and talk to as many people as possible! Who knows…you might meet your best friend during O-Week!
- Gaurav Chintamneedi
Entering into my Senior year of college and being one of the Orientation Coordinators for this coming Fall 2022 Orientation, I cannot help but feel a nostalgic feeling going into this year.
I remember the anxious feeling of wondering whether I would fit in or find my people. Coming from a difficult high school experience made college feel even more daunting. But once I moved into my first-year dorm and entered my first Fenestra Forum, I knew I was home. My Orientation Leaders (OL's), the people in my group, and the entire experience made me feel like I was where I needed to be. Shoutout to Johnnie Ladd and Julia Macias and the Communication Studies group for giving me a space for me to be myself and giving me the inspiration to become the person that I am today.
From Orientation, I met some of the most amazing people you could ever meet. Every single OL, faculty, staff, and student were absolutely wonderful and I still talk to them to this day. Because of Orientation, I was able to meet one of my mentors, Michael Ross. He is a professor in the School of Communication and thanks to him, I was able to take a travel course in the Philippines to create documentaries about social issues in the country. It had been over 10 years since I was able to go back to the motherland and learn more about the current state of the Philippines. I was also able to meet Dr. Arleen Bejerano, an Associate Professor and one of the Program Advisors in the School of Communication. She has helped me throughout my entire journey at Chapman as I navigated what I wanted to do with my education.
From all the people I have met and the renewed drive to conquer life that came from Orientation, I became massively involved on campus. I felt like it was only right to be able to give back to Chapman by putting myself out there and taking on leadership roles, joining clubs, becoming an OL myself, and now being one of the Orientation Coordinators. Orientation has given me my world and now it is my turn to be able to give back and open the window of opportunity for all incoming students to be able to find themselves and their future.
My piece of advice to incoming students is to go to every event you can during Orientation. Yes, it can take a lot out of you but if it was not for putting myself out there and getting out of my comfort zone, I would not be the person I am today. I would not have met the people who have impacted my life so greatly and I would not have had all the experiences I had throughout college. I have Orientation to thank for putting me on the path that I am on and allowing me to be my authentic self 1000% of the time.
- Kyle Tanimura, Orientation Coordinator