You’ve been thinking about this moment for months, if not longer. Nervous energy races through your body. You’re excited, anxious and ready to start this new chapter in your life. It’s your first days on campus as you begin your university journey. Who better to ease you into college life than your fellow students who have recently gone through the same transition?
At AIHM, students take the lead when it comes to conducting orientation week activities. They direct campus tours, games and activities. They answer incoming students’ questions. They even give you the inside scoop on faculty, preparing you with introductions so you already know who’s who when you encounter the lecturers face to face.
AIHM’s Student Committee played the starring role in the recent induction week for new students. Of course, AIHM faculty and staff were important as well. They welcomed and guided our new students during key sessions and provided a lot of support behind the scenes. However, none of the week’s success would have been possible without the hard work and personal touch of the Student Committee.
Julie Khin is a member of the AIHM Student Committee and a second-year BBA student from Myanmar. She shares her experience as one of the Welcome Week’s student leaders in the Q&A below.
Julie Khin on the AIHM Welcome Week
What was the most rewarding part of leading induction week as a student?
The most rewarding part of leading induction week as an AIHM student was building meaningful connections with the new students. I realised that some questions were easier for them to ask a fellow student rather than a faculty member. Simply being there to support and guide them in those moments gave me a strong sense of fostering an enriched and welcoming community.
In what ways was the Student Committee involved in planning and leading the induction activities?
As a former new student, I understand how nerve-wracking and exciting it can be to step into a new environment. To ease that anxiety, the AIHM Student Committee supported pre-induction sessions even before the new students arrived on campus. The ultimate goals of these sessions were to help incoming students settle into their new surroundings, foster friendships, and bridge the gap between existing and new students.
As AIHM Student Committee, we prepared fun quizzes to introduce the new students to our lecturers so that they wouldn't feel like complete strangers on their first day. We also hosted ice-breaking games to encourage them to start building friendships and explained how our community operates, making it easier for them to step in and join the AIHM family.
During the induction session, we organised an entertaining and educational teamwork game called the ‘AIHM Olympics’. With the help of this game, students got to collaborate as a team to accomplish a variety of missions such as packing, styling our professional uniforms, exploring key city locations a student might need to visit, personal finance budgeting, etc. All these activities were aimed at building teamwork and preparing them for well-rounded student life.
Furthermore, with the support of existing students, the AIHM Student Committee took the new students on a campus tour to help them familiarise themselves with the Institute’s facilities and atmosphere.
What role do you think student leaders like yourself play in shaping the university experience for others?
I strongly believe that every AIHM student has leadership potential, and AIHM does an excellent job of nurturing that quality in all of us. When I first joined AIHM, I looked up to the senior student leaders, appreciating the warmth and hospitality they extended. It is undeniable that such student leaders set the standard, paved the way for AIHM’s new students, and shaped the culture of AIHM itself.
As student leaders, my peers and I strive to be just a call away for any student in need. By fostering this supportive environment, AIHM has become a community where students truly support one another, making it a place where everyone feels welcomed and cared for.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable moment from the week?
A part of the induction week that’s particularly memorable for me is whenever a student approached me for help. In those moments, I felt trusted and was ready to assist them in any way I could—because that's what I am here for. It’s true that students know best what other students need and want, and being able to provide that support was both fulfilling and meaningful.
Behind the Scenes: Designing AIHM’s Welcome Week
While student representatives created and carried out many of the Welcome Week’s activities, they had the dedicated support of Alison Stanworth, AIHM Director of Student Engagement. Under her guidance, student empowerment and peer-to-peer interactions defined the orientation process.
Below, she shares her inspiration for the overall design of the Welcome Week experience and her reasons for ensuring much of the “orientation” of new students was directed by existing student leaders.
Alison Stanworth on the AIHM-style Orientation
My inspiration for designing the induction week this way stems from a strong theoretical foundation in teaching and learning. I believe that the approach we’ve taken benefits both new and established students. For the more experienced students, teaching others helps to deepen their own understanding and reinforces their knowledge. Meanwhile, new students feel more at ease asking questions of their peers, creating a supportive learning environment. This peer interaction fosters community and enhances the overall learning experience for everyone involved.
On campus we have 19 different nationalities so creating a cohesive community takes detailed and reasoned planning together with the Student Committee. I listen with open ears to what they suggest and build in the preparation for this new and challenging academic journey.
The Welcome Week is a momentous occasion for new students, as well as for AIHM as a whole. I had several objectives in mind for the week:
Balancing fun with serious preparation during the induction week is essential for creating an engaging yet informative experience. With the student leaders, we planned pre-induction activities that were carried out online, plus engaging activities and social events in a variety of formats for the on-campus days. By blending enjoyment with purposeful learning, we AIHM to create an environment where students feel excited and equipped for their academic journey ahead!
Talk to an AIHM Student
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