Orientation 2024
A mix of informational sessions and fun-filled activities made Orientation 2024 a resounding success among the newest members of the ACD community. The day commenced at the Alex Hotel, where attendees met their orientation groups and student leaders. “They were bright and bubbly,” says Keely Karsenty, a first-year from the U.S.A., when asked about her group’s leaders. “[They] gave us permission to be silly and just have fun!” This semester’s leaders included Ciara Louise Swan-Brown, Neomi Ford, Lily Edwards, Stephen Matenga, Jolee Koop, Maria Gancheva, and Alex Doyle.
After an official welcome from administration (along with some tea, coffee, and mouthwatering pastries), groups headed over to the Oscar Wilde House for a high-octane hour of icebreaker games.
A lunch of hot sandwiches left students feeling recharged as they attended afternoon sessions about student life, technology, and health and safety. These rotational blocks ushered in the most anticipated part of the day: a photo scavenger hunt around Dublin. With just over an hour to complete, orientation groups raced from Merrion Square to Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street, snapping pictures of iconic Dublin landmarks and student hotspots.
It was a close contest, but Group 1 snatched first place by mere minutes. While the champions were rewarded, each student took home a school tote that included a newly designed ACD t-shirt, water bottle, and notebook.
A special thanks goes out to our orientation leaders, whose efforts made a lasting impact on their groups; indeed, the day’s success kindled a sense of community among the new batch of students. “It was wonderful!” says Karsenty. “Walking into class on the first day, I knew people, and we shared a laugh, so that just made the first day jitters evaporate.”
