Brigid O’Malley ‘29
Guest Writer
Orientation for the Class of 2029 kicked off with a rain-soaked move-in day on Wednesday, August 20. Students made tearful goodbyes to their families and friends, and said hello to their first week on the Hill. But for some students, their time at Holy Cross began a week earlier.
The Odyssey program kicked off orientation festivities on Saturday, August 16. The program, offered by the Division of Justice, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (JEBI), engages students “in identity exploration, community building, and leadership development,” connecting Holy Cross students of all backgrounds. A highlight of the program is the Mentor Program, which connects students to a peer mentor to support their transition to Holy Cross. “Odyssey made me feel more connected because it was mainly minorities, and I felt like I had a lot [in common] with people,” says Diana Gonzalez ‘29. “My perception when I came to Holy Cross was that there would be little diversity, and I thought it would be hard to make friends. That week showed me there are people like me here. I felt like I wasn’t alone, and that I wasn’t the odd one out.” After a week of games, movie nights, and firepits, Odyssey concluded with a trip to the JCC. There, students made poems out of prompts connected to their identities and cultures, from their favorite foods to the color of their eyes, allowing them to further reflect before entering into Gateways with the rest of their class.
While Odyssey helped domestic students find belonging, International Orientation welcomed 36 first-years across 15 different countries. For Kiera Zhang ’29, who traveled from Beijing, China, her journey was worth it: “I think I adjusted pretty quickly. The flyover was kind of long. We had 23 hours of flight total. I think it’s a great experience and it’s very nice here.” With international students making up only 4% of the Holy Cross population, the program gives them a chance to interact with those facing the same cultural transition. As Kiera reflected, “I met some of my best friends that week.”
Gateways Orientation offers the Class of 2029 a chance to connect with each other, but just as importantly, a chance to connect with current members of the community. Orientation Leader Patrick Whitehouse ’26 explained that he became an OL because he saw orientation as “a central part to welcoming so many new students and families to the school,” and wanted to play a role in that tradition. Through the program, he has met “so many amazing people,” from fellow OLs to the orientees he mentors. On his role as an OL, he says, “I hope to be a leader for the underclassmen and to be a resource for them moving forward. I had so many great upperclassmen help me through the past couple years so I want to be that person for others and help everyone forward.” By connecting first years with upperclassmen, Gateways Orientation is an important part of facilitating connections across classes at Holy Cross.
As rain cleared throughout the week, first-years learned how to navigate college life, including discussions of healthy relationships, mental health, responsible substance use, spiritual development, and belonging put together by student leaders. Now knowing their way around campus, and carrying forward the memories, connections, and skills gained from orientation, the Class of 2029 was prepared for their first week of class and a successful transition to Holy Cross.
Featured image courtesy of College of the Holy Cross
Copy Edited by Charlotte Collins ’26
Leave a Reply