Welcome to the 2019/20 program year! We can't wait for you to meet the first arrivals of the new class—as we did at our first orientation last week. In this special edition of PAX Press, we share all of the excitement surrounding the new year as experienced by our first group of students from Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Somaliland, South Korea, Spain, and Thailand.
Get to know the newbies through videos, interviews, games, and a photo essay—there is even an article by PAX alumna (and current PAX marketing intern) Jana Heineking, who attended the same orientation in 2013! Happy reading/watching!
—The PAX Press team
Times Square: Hyunyung (South Korea) is in love.
IcebreakerVideo
For years, orientation staff have played "thumball" as a fun icebreaker for PAX students at the NYC arrival orientation. The rules are simple: 1) Catch the ball. 2) Answer the prompt under your thumb. 3) Pass the ball. It's a great way to get the students warmed up, a fun way to get those first nervous words out of their mouths, and an easy way to begin to get to know them. This year, we thought we'd share this fun little activity with the entire PAX community.
PhotoEssay:Workshops
Curious what the PAX arrival orientation sessions entail? Have a look for yourself.
PASSTHEBALL
Having shared a goal for the year, Lennart (Germany) tosses the ball back to the instructor.
KICKINGTHINGSOFF
Marketing & Communications Director Nicholas Burtscher gets the energy level up while recognizing all of the countries in attendance.
WHOME?
With her witty answer delivered, Nicole (Germany) takes a casual sip of her Starbucks refresher.
THEYEARAHEAD
Spanish students carefully consider where their own "comfort zone" ends during a cultural adjustment workshop.
LAUGHINGANDLEARNING
For Ainhoa (Spain) and her peers, some cultural misunderstandings can be downright funny.
HOPESANDFEARS
A student jots down his fear before sharing with fellow PAXers.
WARMINGUP
Training & Sponsored Programs Director Brikena Samara makes sure everyone is alert and ready for a fun-filled day of learning.
WORKINGHARD
Hyunyung (South Korea) and Sahra (Somaliland) consider some tricky scenarios while reviewing PAX rules.
CULTURALBINGO
Leire from Spain listens intently as students get to know each other during a morning icebreaker.
ThumballGame2
With the beautiful campus of Adelphi University (Long Island, NY) as a backdrop, Germans, Mexicans, and Somalilanders are back for an entertaining second round of "thumball."
NYCPhotoEssay
Visiting many of New York City's most iconic sights is always a highlight for PAX students.
NYCOASIS
Victoria (Germany) takes five at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.
THELAKE
Nagore and Naia (Spain) strike a pose during a stroll by The Lake.
LEGOSTORE
RG (Somaliland) found the perfect NYC souvenir for the exchange student with limited luggage space.
SMIRKOFSATISFACTION
After months of planning and waiting, Susanne enjoys a magical moment in Times Square.
HULAESPAÑOLA
This Central Park performer has the Spanish girls in the mood to dance.
LADYLIBERTY
Having come a very long way from her native Somaliland, the significance of the moment is not lost on Sahra.
TIMESSQUARE
A hive of activity all around them, Franziska (Germany) and her friends aren't sure where to focus their attention first.
LUNCHINTHEPARK
Lucia and Maitane had sandwiches and a laugh for lunch—here they are enjoying the latter.