<p>Hi Guys :)</p>
<p>Is there anything like NYU's FYRE Program (First Year Residential Experiences) at GT? Basically this program holds various events throughout the year where Freshman get to bond, adapt to college life, and explore the city together. Although I won't be attending NYU due to financial reasons, that program was very attractive and it would make GT more attractive to me if there was something similar.</p>
<p>If there is not a similar program, what does GT to accommodate its freshmen during their first year? I mean other than the orientation program that pretty much every Uni does :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses!</p>
<p>Hi Star8mm,</p>
<p>So i’m not very familiar with the FYRE program but I’ll give your question a go. </p>
<p>For most students, the orientation in august is the main event for formal meet and greets, etc. However, most residence halls are designed in a way so that it helps to build community and I would say the majority (though not all) of the people you bond with early on will be living near you. Also, each floor of a residence hall will have one or multiple RAs and they will schedule trips throughout the year.</p>
<p>Further, there are these special communities called “living learning communities”. They are smaller groups of students all housed together in a specific residence hall (this can be a plus for a freshman as you may live in a nicer upperclassmen hall). Each LLC is themed around a language, focus area, or religion. So there is a French Floor, a ‘global living’ community, one that explores DC, one that is a Muslim community, etc. You have to apply to these as they keep them limited, and I’m not sure how all that works. Poke around the GU student living and orientation websites and there is definitely going to be more info.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>There are also some pre orientation programs offered the week before new student orientation which offer a great bonding experience with a small group of freshmen and upperclassmen mentors. </p>
<p><a href=“Pre-Orientation Programs | Orientation, Transition & Family Engagement | Georgetown University”>http://orientation.georgetown.edu/pre-orientation/</a></p>
<p>Although my son didn’t personally participate, there is also a program called “ESCAPE” which occurs several times a year that allows freshman students to leave campus for a retreat weekend. I have heard great things about it and I’m sure there is ample information on G’town’s website. My son is almost done with his freshman year as a Hoya and he loves it! As a parent, it is awfully nice to know that your child has found a wonderful home away from home…</p>
<p>Georgetown does things on an ongoing basis for the students. There are fun activities and BBQ’s and events on the lawn when the weather is nice. My daughter attended a few events for girls - they were in the evening and I’m not sure what they were called, but she had fun going - I think it’s a spin off on “take back the night” to give girls a fun safe place to enjoy the evening. Facials, crafts, food, manicures etc. sponsored by Campus Ministry I believe. When you join clubs there is always something going on socially with people who share your interest - so much so that my daughter didn’t go to everything available to her. The student needs to reach out and get involved and there will be much to do socially for them. She loved the day they brought puppies to the lawn during finals week. End of each semester the clubs have parties - in her case they were Club sports, intermural sports, newspaper, campus ministry, and she has joined a fraternity as well which she really likes. She was always curious about the living learning communities mentioned above, but didn’t apply to one. </p>