What a full day!

We began our orientation with food, singing and prayers of thanksgiving. After a talk about keeping safe and healthy, we heard tips for getting along in the DR from Marta, director of the language school.

Students then dispersed in pairs through the neighborhood around the hotel to find a 'treasure' with 10 pesos. The returned with sweets, mangos, lottery tickets and even nail clippers. The quick jaunt gave us plenty to discuss.

Patti Zwier, our program consultant, led students in a very helpful exercise about letting go of expectations regarding their family placements. Over a delicious lunch Patti shared some information with each student about their host families.

We played a lively game for building cross-cultural awareness: working in their book groups and playing out a variety of 'cultural types' students competed to build the tallest tower of marshmallows and spaghetti. David B's skills in physics were particularly helpful to his group.

We spent the rest of the afternoon reviewing the syllabus, assignments and our standards for living together. We closed with some beautifully harmonized singing, a prayer of sending and then they were off. . .to meet their new families.

Everyone is now spending their first night with their host families. We can't wait to hear how it went when we meet again in the morning at the language school. We hope you enjoy these photos of our first full day together.