What was your experience of orientation week like?

Looking back on orientation week, I remember feeling this incredible mix of nerves and excitement stepping onto campus for the first time.

What really impressed me was how well-organised and informative everything was. Instead of just generic welcome talks, they had set up different stations covering all the essential topics we'd actually need. I spent some time at the Academic Success Centre table learning about writing tools and study resources, and moved along to the Career station. They actually had real advisors there giving personalised tips like resume-building, networking, advice on Linkedin, not just handing out pamphlets.

I loved chatting with the current students at the Student Ambassador table. They gave honest insights about campus life and were genuinely excited to help newcomers navigate everything. But what absolutely blew me away was the wellness station. They had a mental health and safety app, and there was a professional named Fernanda offering what free counseling sessions or mental health support. It really showed me how seriously the university takes student wellbeing, which was reassuring when adjusting to life in a new country.

Making friends turned out to be the best and easiest part. Everyone was so eager to connect and build new relationships. That shared excitement about starting a new life made me feel a part of the community already.

My advice for future international students: Talk to the student ambassadors extensively and ask them the real questions about professors, study spots, and balancing academics with social life. Don't shy away from exchanging contacts since everyone's eager to make friends anyway, and suggest coffee dates or study sessions later that week. Finally, actually use those services you learned about. Book that appointment at the Academic Success Centre, attend career workshops, check in with the wellness team. Orientation is just the beginning!

I I still remember my Orientation in November 2023, when I was filled with excitement to begin a new chapter of my life in a different country and environment. The on-campus Orientation was especially memorable because it gave me the chance to meet so many people who play an important role in the student journey—Career Advisors, the Academic team, Counsellors, Student Experience Officers, and of course, Student Ambassadors and Volunteers.

I took the initiative to connect with different teams: asking the Careers Advisor about their services (which I later used extensively), learning from the Counsellor about student support, speaking with the Academic team about how I could benefit from their expertise, and engaging with Student Ambassadors about their experiences—something that later inspired me to become one myself.

For me, the most impactful part was learning about the counselling services, which truly reflected Kaplan’s care for student wellbeing. Meeting the staff early on was also invaluable, as once lectures begin, it can be harder to interact due to busy schedules. Alongside the in-person experience, I also joined several online sessions, which gave me further insights into the school (I even created a YouTube video sharing my Orientation experience!).

My advice to new students would be to always attend Orientation—preferably in person if possible, but even online sessions are very valuable. It’s a wonderful way to gain a head start, build connections, and feel more confident as you begin your journey at Kaplan.

My orientation week felt warm and welcoming. I was excited to start and the staff and student ambassadors made it easy to settle in. The freebies like a tumbler, notebook, and pen came in handy once classes began. I also met the careers team, the ASC team, and several ambassadors. I didn’t know then that I’d later become a student ambassador myself, which makes that day even more memorable. It was a quick but meaningful experience where I met people from different programs and felt part of the community right away.

If I could give advice, I’d say talk to the people around you and connect with them, book an early session with the careers team or ASC, and don’t be shy to ask questions. Use the freebies from day one, keep your timetable and elearning access on your phone, and follow student services and ambassadors on social so you don’t miss out.