Pre-Orientation: "Promoting InterCultural Dialogue and Creating Inclusion"

Our unique pilot pre-Orientation program this fall is called: "Promoting Inter-Cultural Dialogue and Creating Inclusion".  This vigorous and inspiring three-day optional program will take place from September 3-5, 2009 on the Mount Holyoke College campus, prior to Orientation, just before you’ll spend your time really settling in to your life as a student at MHC.

We believe that a positive college experience for students, rich with personal development, is enhanced by (1) deepening self-understanding of individual identity issues and cross cultural awareness; (2) increasing your sensitivity to the complexity of other racial/ethnic groups as well as your own; and (3) developing a strong set of communication and leadership skills.

For many years we have hosted a pre-Orientation program focused on helping international students adjust to life in a new country and addressing the transitional issues faced by some students of color/multiracial students who attend a predominantly white college.

We continue to be dedicated to these goals and this year we will pilot an expanded program, including U.S. white students, designed to further promote an inclusive campus community for all students. We know that there are many lenses through which we can explore intergroup relationships, but have chosen to focus on race and ethnicity in this pilot program because it remains one of the most challenging topics in the United States.

If you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to call the Dean Of Students Office at 413-538-2550.