The Orientation Edition

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

PAX Press August Web Covers2 Times Square: Hyunyung (South Korea) is in love.

Icebreaker Video

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.

Photo Essay: Workshops

Curious what the PAX arrival orientation sessions entail? Have a look for yourself.

PASS THE BALL

Having shared a goal for the year, Lennart (Germany) tosses the ball back to the instructor.

KICKING THINGS OFF

Marketing & Communications Director Nicholas Burtscher gets the energy level up while recognizing all of the countries in attendance.

WHO ME?

With her witty answer delivered, Nicole (Germany) takes a casual sip of her Starbucks refresher.

THE YEAR AHEAD

Spanish students carefully consider where their own "comfort zone" ends during a cultural adjustment workshop.

LAUGHING AND LEARNING

For Ainhoa (Spain) and her peers, some cultural misunderstandings can be downright funny.

HOPES AND FEARS

A student jots down his fear before sharing with fellow PAXers.

WARMING UP

Training & Sponsored Programs Director Brikena Samara makes sure everyone is alert and ready for a fun-filled day of learning.

WORKING HARD

Hyunyung (South Korea) and Sahra (Somaliland) consider some tricky scenarios while reviewing PAX rules.

CULTURAL BINGO

Leire from Spain listens intently as students get to know each other during a morning icebreaker.

Thumball Game 2

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."