SCU Freshmen Complete a Joyful “First Mile” to Start College Life

After another round of interactive and creative games, thousands of freshmen finished the four-day 2017 “First Mile” orientation amid laughter and sweat on June 14^th while getting to know more about Soochow University and have a better idea of how to plan for their college life. The school administration hoped to help the newcomers adapt through this knowledge-building event combined educational fun activities.

The highlight of the day was in the afternoon, when students from different departments showed their teamwork and creativity in various interclass competitions. In the creative singing contest of the school anthem, students transformed the anthem into different styles with their creativity by adapting famous songs such as the national anthem, and The Two Tigers, etc. And in the Three-Legged Race inside the stadium, they tried their best synchronizing their paces and rushing to the finish line.

In the closing ceremony filled with applause and cheer in Chuang Xian Hall featured the climax of the event: a lucky draw of prizes. In addition to 10 shopping vouchers of Family Mart, SCU president Wei-Da Pan offered six more coupons as bonus. Also, the alumnus from Department of International Business, Fu-Yuan Tsai, offered 10 shopping vouchers of 7-11 convenience stores. Moreover, touched by students’ passion, the school board member, Ji-Ren Liu added more prizes by giving each student staff member of the orientation NT$1,000 and offering another 60 NT$5,000 for the lucky draw. The crowd just went crazy with full excitement as students appreciated the generous surprise from Liu.

The event was also dotted with the announcement of winners in the interclass competitions. The class A from Department of Accounting won the best attendance award with a 95.4% attendance rate. The class B from Department of Information Management clinched the first prize in the Three-Legged Race with a record of one minute and 29.14 second. The winner of anthem singing contest was the class B from Department of Japanese, with a score of 87.6.

Later on, all student staff presented a dance they had prepared for the freshmen, followed by a touching short film that recorded all the memorable moments during these four days. Through their full efforts and with whole-hearted blessings, the school and all student staff hoped freshmen could keep a wonderful first impression with the campus and have a smooth start of their college life in Soochow University.

Toward the end of the closing ceremony, the student chief organizer of the “First Mile” orientation, Bo-Ruei Chiu, encouraged all freshmen to explore and make the best use of their college life with no fear. “Pity is a beautiful scar, but remorse is a knife,” he said.

As one of the most reputed traditions in Soochow University, the “First Mile” orientation has helped freshmen get familiar with the campus and ready for their college life. All student staff have continued to make more efforts in giving the best experience and warmest welcome to freshmen, in the hope of leaving a wonderful memory in their heart.