Cohort 17 Orientation

The Diller orientation was a really fun way to start off the fellowship. Although I felt like I didn’t know as much about the  program as some of the others in the group, I wasn’t very nervous going in because I already knew a number of the kids in the cohort either from school or other activities, and I already knew the program coordinator Gabi. 

We gave short introductions about ourselves to the group and also played a game where Gabi would say a statement and depending on whether our answer was yes no or unsure, we’d sit down on the chair, stand up or stand up on the chair. I think part of what makes the cohort so interesting is that even from the short introductions and this chair activity, it was clear that while we’re all so different, we got along really well and our differences made things interesting. 

At one point we went onto the roof and played the human knot game. We all stood in a circle and reached our hands across the circle to grab a hand of another fellow in our group. this created a "Human Knot" that we then had to somehow had to get out of. This was difficult task as some were being held upside down while others facing the inner circle and outer circle. We had to listen to one another and let fellows take turns while trying to get out of the knot. slowly we became "undone" and although we did not succeeded in full we worked together, listened and made compromises while helping each other to achieve our goal.  

This definitely helped everyone get more comfortable around one another. I expected myself to stay in my comfort zone and only really talk to kids who I already knew but by the end of the orientation, I had talked to everyone!  By getting to know everyone in the group, by breaking down some of our natural barriers, and by doing activities as a group, where everyone had to participate, I realized that not only did I really enjoy the afternoon, but I also really liked everyone!  I’m excited about the year ahead….

-Moriah Wolfe Cohort 17