World Link’s Student Arrival Orientation is a whirlwind weekend packed with team-building activities, gaining confidence, and making memories that will last a lifetime.
This year, 150 FLEX and YES students traveled to four separate camps across the U.S. In one short weekend, they learned about our World Link program and the goals of our organization. Students were also taught how to balance their exchange-life in order to reach their own goals they set.
Our student Arya Dika (Indonesia/CA) found that lesson helpful:
“One word that inspired me is BALANCE. Because in this year, we have a lot of stuff to do, like volunteering, school, club activities and also family… we need balance to do all of that, and luckily I got [the information I need to in order to succeed] in this orientation.”
During their orientation, students were challenged to overcome their fears and in turn, gain the confidence to conquer any hurdle they may face. This challenge comes in the form of a High Ropes Course, making it a symbol for their exchange year.
Our student Ani Gamkrelidze (Georgia/CO) put it perfectly:
“…this year is like a challenge course. You have to climb, keep balance, take leaps of faith and always remember that a rope is holding you, even if you fall, it’s going to catch you… it’s important to not look down and keep climbing up. A challenge course is full of ups and downs. Even though it can get scary and you may want to quit, it’s always important to remember that the triumph you feel when you stand on top of the world is worth everything.”
The camp atmosphere creates an environment to promote bonding and the building of a strong network of support. Students arrive to the orientation not knowing each other. By the time they leave, they feel they are one big family.
For Myadaggarav Chuluundorj (Mongolia/IA), her exchange student peers became a source of inspiration:
“Just meeting with these other countries young ambassadors made me believe that EVERYONE CAN BE A LEADER… I learned so much from them and I am so proud to be part of World Link’s family.”
For Ketevani Razmadze (Georgia/CA), her fellow exchange students were the needed support to overcome her nerves:
“After the [Ropes Course] I don’t think that there still exists any fear I can’t overcome and I have to admit how other students’ support helped me to do truly unbelievable things.”
Student Reflections:
As you will read from the quotes below, World Link’s 2018 Student Arrival Orientation was an inspiring weekend:
“After doing all these activities, I felt like I could take on the world and nothing seemed impossible. And whenever I have to deal with something difficult during my exchange year, I will think back and say to myself, ‘If you could overcome your fear of climbing up a 25 meter log and jump off of it, then you can overcome this too.’” – Ariel Atma (Suriname/CO)
“…this was such an amazing weekend where I met and got to know so many other exchange students and their countries, despite the diverse number of backgrounds that each of us come from, we are all tied by this one thing “exchange”, and I have so much gratitude for World Link for bringing this fascinating family together.” – Ali Alghoul (Lebanon/CA)
“What an amazing weekend with [students] from 21 different countries of the world in student orientation. There is nothing worth more than a friendship. It was the most incredible experience in my life. The fun we had, the games we played, the ropes we climbed, the crazy things we did, the songs we sang, crazy dances we did, the letters we wrote, scary stories we heard, experiences we had and the friendship we made.” – Alisher Abdulloev (Tajikistan/IA)
“…every day I was full of motivation and wanted not to miss any of those opportunities. I promise to try my best to justify this precious opportunity that was given to me.” – Alina Taalaibekova (Kyrgyzstan/TX)
“We now understand that the whole year we will spend here depends on us, and only on us. We can make this year amazing and unforgettable or we can spend it doing nothing. It’s only on us.” – Anel Yeralina (Kazakhstan/CA)
“The main purpose [of this meeting] for me was to understand true values of the life. I came up with new ideas of exchanging Ukrainian culture, of volunteering opportunities, of plans for cheap but funny ways to spend with my family! I started to realize all my mistakes about living here. For example, how to make new colorful picture in my Instagram, but not how to spend more time with my siblings. But after that meeting, I very much appreciate every smile of [my host siblings], every help of my parents, every lunch my Mamy cooked for me, and every effort of my family to make my year better.” – Dmytro Rudeichenko (Ukraine/CO)
“Special thanks to all awesome coordinators that helped us to believe in ourselves! They gave us the ‘magic power’ which made us confident, open-minded and as flexible as we wanted to be! YES WE ARE!!! – It seems to me that I still hear these supportive words.” – Lida Asilian (Armenia/IA)
“I learned a lot about this program and about challenges that go with it, but also I learned about many ways to overcome them. Through many activities we did, I realized that we must be more courageous, we must take advantage of every chance offered to us. That’s the only way we will be able to progress and succeed.” – Teodora Lalatovic (Montengro/CA)
“After this, I set my goals, I got so inspired to achieve many things, participate as much as I can and make it the best year!” – Natalija Budzane (Latvia/CO)
“[Our coordinators] gave us a lot of important tips for the upcoming year and really important advice: ‘Believe in Yourself. You can achieve everything if only you work hard and never give up’. I will keep those words in my heart during my time in USA, but also after, for my whole life.” – Ameila Janiak (Poland/CA)
“Now I know what my goal is- Not to go back to my country with the feeling of regret for not experiencing new things! And if some of you are still in your comfort zone, just get out of it, grab your opportunity and the fruit of your own hard work will be the sweetest!” – Anano Arveladze (Georgia/IA)
“Perfect day with perfect people. After today’s challenges I am ready for anything. Seriously, for anything.” – Valerija Karpova (Latvia/IL)
World Link students had an amazing Student Arrival Orientation. We look forward to sharing how their inspiration and motivation brings them continual successes this exchange year and beyond. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see their achievements!
