MISHAWAKA- Now that the fall semester has started there are many new students adjusting to campus life here at Bethel. One of the things the Student Life Department does to help these students in their transition is called Welcome Week, a few days of events and sessions to help them to make friends, find their way around campus and get to know the Michiana community.
This year’s Welcome Week started on Saturday, Aug. 14 with move-in day for the transfer students and the freshman. Since the returning students didn’t move in until Aug.17, these few days gave new students time to adjust and get to know the campus. Engagement Coordinator Anna Letens said Welcome Week is what sets the tone for these students’ year at Bethel.
The opening event of the week was a president’s picnic where students eat with their blocks and their families. The point of the picnic was to let the students meet some of the leaders on campus and to get to know people in their blocks. The picnic ends with a farewell between the parents and their students. Activities over the following days included movies and local excursions to help the students get familiar with the Michiana community. There were also educational sessions to inform students about life at Bethel and important information about resources and people to ask if they need help.
Welcome Week is put on by the Student Life Department. Some of the most important people in making the week happen were the student leaders, specifically FYE mentors and Resident Assistants. These leaders were essential to the experience of our incoming students during this week, and their efforts helped to get our new students ready for their first year at Bethel University.