Orientation

Friday, 6 September -- After getting some much-needed sleep and eating breakfast, the group began the day by listening to Raymond Blais explain some basic concepts about Dominican culture. Raymond is coordinator at ENTRENA, the language institute at which the students will begin their morning language classes on Monday. Patti Zwier, a Goshen College graduate, long-term resident of the DR, and a consultant to the SST program in the DR, also spoke to the group about living successfully with host families.

After lunch in the hotel restaurant, orientation continued with a wide variety of topics related to life as an SST student in the DR. The students paused for a group photo before meeting their host family members.

Each family warmly greeted their new son or daughter and loaded up to head home. This weekend will be a time for the students and the families to get to know each other, and for the students to settle into life in the DR.

See: more pictures of students being met by family members.