Hello,
I will be a first-year in the fall. I just have a few questions about the Bridge Pre-Orientation Program. If anyone knows anything about this program, please respond.
A letter came to the house offering this as an option, I think early summer but I am not sure if it was mid summer. My daughter didn’t do it but that was more from a logistical situation than a dislike of it. I have heard that they form a tight supportive group.
Last year applications were sent to the Smith email addresses of all students of color in mid-late May.
I did Bridge last August and I have mixed feelings about it. I was very stressed out during Bridge, but months out I recognize it had its benefits.
I thought it was a good way to meet people, learn more about the campus and its resources, and get a head start on learning about the social justice and equity issues on campus. It felt very much like summer camp - very supervised and tightly scheduled. Bridge is also like summer camp in that the program’s strategy is to throw students together and force them to stay together at all times so that they eventually become friends. I’m not kidding when I say it is very supervised: no one could leave the dorm building without a Bridge leader accompanying them - even stepping outside for a smoke was prohibited without Bridge leader accompaniment. For this reason, one is never alone during Bridge, which is both a blessing and a curse. As an introvert, it was nice to not be forgotten about. On the other hand, as an introvert, trying to socialize like that for 16 hours a day and never having alone time to recharge was somewhat tiring. I’d just keep in mind that not all of Smith is like Bridge. Even the regular orientation’s schedule is more chill than Bridge’s schedule.
Re: forming a tight supportive group…people in Bridge do form tight-seeming posses REALLY quickly. Some last; many don’t. Through Bridge I met people who would later become some of my friends; but in most cases we weren’t that close during the program itself.
Please keep in mind that I may be an outlier, as on the last day of Bridge many of my fellow Bridgees were crying about how much Bridge had had a massive impact on their lives and personal development and helped them find amazing friends. I’d recommend trying to get more perspectives if you’re on the fence!
thank you so much! that was very helpful 