It’s official: the incoming Class of 2018 has been welcomed to Queen’s Law in style after taking part in a two-week Orientation program that began earlier this month and took them into their first week of classes.

This year’s Orientation, themed “Epic Journeys,” took 220 newly minted JD students through a variety of activities, spread across Queen’s campus and Kingston, aimed at familiarizing them with their new learning and living environment. 1Ls got oriented in Kingston through a photo scavenger hunt, karaoke, games nights and other events across town, while a workshop on human rights, as well as the McCarthy Tétrault LLP Annual Lecture on Legal Ethics and Responsibility, introduced students to the legal profession and their new course material. The Upper-Year Buddy program also paired over 300 first- and upper-year students together, helping the incoming JDs transition to life in law school with an ongoing resource in 2L or 3L.

“I am thrilled that so many of the incoming first-year students were able to connect with upper years and learn more about life in Queen’s Law,” says Monica Wong, Law’17, the Upper-Year Buddy program organizer.

Andrea Bandow, Law’17, acted as this year’s Orientation Chair and says that Orientation Games, an outdoor games day, was a highlight for her. “The best part was seeing students of all years having fun, building friendships, and cheering each other on with incredible team spirit throughout the entire day.”

This year, 38 upper-year students volunteered for Orientation, and while the activities may have been designed to help new JDs get acquainted and ease into first-year classes, their peers in 2L and 3L found the experience rewarding as well.

“Orientation also allows upper-year students, whether as volunteers or attendees at Orientation events, to ‘pay it forward,’ gain early experience in mentorship, and contribute to creating a fun and memorable experience for the incoming class,” says Bandow.

While orientation lasts two weeks for incoming students, it took the Orientation Committee months of work to prepare the events.

“I am very proud that the Executive’s vision and goals that originated six months ago came to life,” says Bandow. “With every 1L student that has thanked us for their Orientation experience during the past two weeks, I know our hard work has paid off.”

For more photos, check out Queen’s Law Orientation 2015 on Facebook.