ASSIST Orientation 2024 Held in Europe

ASSIST Class of 2025 Orientation: A Historic Event in Switzerland

This year, ASSIST made history! For the first time ever, the ASSIST Scholars Orientation was held in Europe, bringing together over 170 new scholars, along with alumni and volunteers, to kick off the Class of 2025’s journey at the beautiful Leysin American School near Geneva, Switzerland. From August 6th to 10th, 2024, this special event marked a monumental milestone—our very first orientation outside the United States. And what an incredible experience it was!

Hosting the orientation in Switzerland allowed our scholars to connect in a setting much closer to home for many, and provided alumni with the chance to participate and share their experiences with the incoming schoolars, which hadn’t been possible in the past. Moreover, with schools in America starting their years at various times, our students were able to bond with their fellow scholars and arrive in the US just in time for their classes to start!

The scholar orientation is such a vital part of the ASSIST journey that is always remembered by our alumni as crucial in setting them up for success in the year abroad. But it’s always more than just learning – it’s about forging friendships, building networks of support, and embracing the adventure of international education together. Having orientation happen before they set off to the US allows for them to get the taste of a life in an independent school closer to home and get excited for their journey, setting the stage for the transformational year ahead.

Find out more about the adventure of Orientation with our highlights of the week:

Day I

On Tuesday our scholars arrived at the picturesque Leysin American School, and  spent time setting in and getting to know each other. They also attended their first advisory group meeting where they learned the rules and schedule for the coming days – setting a perfect foundation for the exciting week ahead.

Day II 

Wednesday kicked off with a beautiful Convocation ceremony, which featured inspiring speeches, readings and musical performances. It was the perfect way to celebrate and reflect on the great opportunity stretching ahead of our scholars in the upcoming years. Later, scholars participated in campus and dorm tours – which allowed them to get the feel of a real American School campus. In their advisory groups scholars discussed the topic of support at their new schools. Games and activities helped fill the rest of the day with fun and blossoming friendships, with true highlights being  a rock-paper-scissors tournament and an unforgettable dance party.

Day III 

On Thursday our Scholars had the chance to explore the Swiss Alps on a hike and participated in insightful sessions on cultural adjustment, school life, and the expectations for the year ahead as well as an introduction to American sports like wiffle ball and lacrosse. Their advisory topic of the day was “I will…” – an exercise where scholars posted a declarative statement about something they were committed to doing in their year abroad. Results were inspiring! Later, an alumni panel shared their own ASSIST experiences, offering valuable advice for the year ahead. The day ended with our ASSIST Scholars orientation tradition – Soccer match: Germany vs. The World!

Day IV

Friday was all about celebrating diversity! On top of the even more sessions and activities in American sports, the highlight  of the day was the “Traditions of Our Cultures” show where the scholars were able to perform and show their unique backgrounds, sharing traditions from their home countries. It is a great tradition that not only allows them to learn more about their fellow scholars but explore their creativity and strengthen their bond as a community.

Day V: Departure Day

As the week came to a close, students headed home or directly to their U.S. schools, ready to begin their ASSIST adventure. Full of anticipation, they left with new friendships, fond memories, and a deep sense of excitement for the year ahead.

This orientation in Switzerland was more than just a change of scenery—it was a symbol of the growing global reach of ASSIST and the incredible future awaiting the Class of 2025. We are so proud of our scholars and can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll make during their time in the U.S.

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Leysin American School for hosting us and to our dedicated volunteers and alumni who helped make this event so special.