Orientation Week for new M1s

August 7-11 marked the arrival of the new class of M1s on campus. As the MD faculty organized an Orientation Week each year full of activities to familiarize M1s with their new environment. 

Events kicked off August 7 with a continental breakfast followed by a variety of small and large group activities to get the students acquainted with their classmates and learning communities.

When asked about his favorite part of the week, incoming M1 Gabriel Conley responded saying, "The free time to be goofy and get to know other students".

The following day consisted of additional small group learning sessions and a team building activity in the MERF courtyard. Learning Community leaders organized various team building tasks. From holding hula hoops with one finger to building a track to drop a golf ball in a bucket. New M1s used their creativity and teamwork to knock out the tasks together.

"The outdoor activity on Tuesday was the best", says Cassie Tomberlin, another M1. 

On Wednesday, students traveled to local organizations for a community engagement event, including Habitat for Humanity Memorial Build in Hills, Iowa. They helped install new windows, while another team gathered and coordinated supplies from the Iowa City ReStore.

The Student Involvement Fair took place on August 10. Organizations from all around campus explores groups.

Orientation Week culminated on Friday with the White Coat Ceremony. Students and their families gathered at Hancher to take part in the traditional ceremony and celebrate their induction into medical school.

When asked about their favorite parts of Orientation Week, many students responded with Tuesday's dinner with the M2s. Students broke up into smaller groups to venture downtown for a bite to eat where they got to know more about their peers in a relaxed environment. Jenna Geick describes why she enjoyed it saying, "Dinner on Tuesday night with all my classmates, and getting to spend time exploring downtown was great".