The thought of starting university in 2015 was a wildly terrifying experience for me because I was coming from a high school where I was comfortable in the people and places that surrounded me, and where I was known.

When it came time to apply to colleges, I applied to several. Upon my acceptance to those universities, I took a few campus tours. I had my heart set on one university and one only. Everyone said I would love it there - the courses, the atmosphere, etc.

So you can imagine how lost I felt when I visited and absolutely hated it there.

Somewhere along the way I received a letter another university. One I had never thought of applying to.

My first four days at the university were stacked with orientation programming and I drove the entire 29 miles / 45 minutes, twice a day to attend these events. My New Student Orientation Assistants, Rowan Blaisdell and Diamond, made the experience everything that it was and I knew I wanted to do the same for others.

When people ask me why I’m so passionate and excited about a volunteer position, I tell them that it’s more than that.
When people ask what that means, I try to combine what it feels like to be involved in something that impacts people for the rest of their lives.
When people ask what /that/ means, I explain to them that the there is love, dedication, creativity, inclusivity, and pure magic here.
When people ask my why I participate in Orientation, I tell the it’s because of Orientation Magic✨.

Through this experience I gained a new relationship with my university and helped students get acclimated and feel like they had found their place. I took on the role of an NSOA twice before deciding maybe I wanted to do something more.

With a little push, in October of 2017, I applied for a place on Orientation Team of Easterns Advisors and Mentors (OTEAM). On a rainy drive home, I received a phone call from EMU CoutesyCart (which was apparently the Orientation Office phone, that I had labeled otherwise when inputting their number into my phone), with Rowan on the other end. They offered me a position and I just sat in silence for a very long time before accepting.

Writing this means that Orientation has come to a close and I don’t know if I’m quite ready to accept that yet.

The last ten months of my life have been a whirlwind. I’ve been met with so much kindness, creativity, inclusion, happiness, and support from day one. OTEAM 2018, Cote Group G, OTP, and Campus Life have allowed me to be the greatest person I can be, while doing one of the greatest things I have ever done. Words will never be able to describe the love I have for each and everyone of the folx that I have come in contact with this year through my experience an an OTEAMer.

There is no one on this planet I would rather plan orientation for 2000+ new students with, cry with, laugh with, have sleepover (sleepovers) with, get tacos, burgers, and tacos again, with, sit in a circle and sing with, sit in meetings with, write facilitation guides with, dance (and off) stages with, or exist with.

Thank you for making me feel like i’m on top of the world, even on my worst days.

Not only did you create magic, but you are magic and I feel orso lucky to exist at the same time all of you do. I love each of you with my entire heart.

Soar on and stay golden.
This is Riss, signing off the last time. x

#OrientationRocks #NSOYAY