The Challenge
An international educational institution confronted a significant challenge: the initial orientation program for new college students proved to be unwelcoming and unengaging. This negative first impression made it difficult for students to establish connections with the institution, their peers, and their new environment. With a sizable cohort of 120-150 students requiring orientation, it became imperative to overhaul this onboarding experience into one that is engaging, inclusive, and fosters relationship-building.
The Approach
To address this challenge, we conducted a thorough analysis of the existing orientation process. We identified the key factors that were contributing to students’ disengagement and clarified our vision for an improved orientation experience. Our goal was to foster a sense of community, comfort, and connection from day one.
We designed a comprehensive one-day mega workshop aimed at creating an interactive and enjoyable experience for the students. This workshop included a series of carefully curated activities focused on team bonding, team building, and familiarisation with the organisation.
Key components of our approach included:
- Training 10-15 team leaders to effectively manage groups of up to 10 students each.
- Incorporating a mix of indoor and outdoor activities to keep the experience dynamic and engaging.
- Planning a variety of group activities to promote teamwork and individual activities to allow for personal reflection and growth.
- Utilising interactive tools such as Mentimeter and Kahoot to make the sessions more engaging and participatory.
The Solution
The revamped orientation program successfully transformed the first day for new students. Our strategic mix of activities fostered rapid team bonding and a sense of community that would have otherwise taken much longer to develop.
Key outcomes included:
- A significant increase in student engagement with the school.
- A fun and memorable orientation experience that replaced the previously negative first impression.
- Stronger relationships formed among students and between students and the organisation.
- Team leaders not only facilitated the day’s activities but also continued to mentor their groups, providing ongoing guidance and support throughout the following semesters.
Overall, our revamped orientation program turned a challenging onboarding process into a positive and effective experience, setting a strong foundation for students’ success and integration into the school community.