On the first day in a new school or environment, I am usually a bundle of nerves. Amid this angst, I am supposed to be able to perform-to learn, to behave, to think and respond -at my best. I am required to quickly navigate an institution and use its resources. I am expected to adapt with ease. Despite all of this, most of my first days usually end up fine, even with the tumbling and rumbling of my insides at the beginning. But this year is different. This is the first time I have ever been branded 'international' and, on top of that, a midyear, estranged even before stepping on campus. Although Brandeis is known for its really welcoming and friendly community, I still felt a sort of disconnect as I stepped out of the car onto the snowy fields of Brandeis University.

I had endured a 12-hour flight and an additional 7-hour wait in transit all the way from Nigeria, West Africa. But seeing all that snow and feeling all that cold was a different story. I decided to apply to Brandeis when I was at home, where it almost never falls below 55-degrees Fahrenheit. I had hoped to get accepted and wanted to come here desperately but hadn't expected this much difference. With my bulky suitcase, I left the safety of the car and was motioned toward a building in Ziv Quad for my dorm keys. My stomach clenched. I deposited my belongings in the convoluted, gaudy, yet clean and new Village dormitory. I was confused and irritated by its winding corridors and spiral staircases, only to realize that it was apparently the best dorm on campus.

After nodding acknowledgements to some of the midyears and meeting my roommate, I walked awkwardly (mostly because of the cold) toward the then-unfamiliar Usdan Student Center for the welcome reception and "Brandeis Beginnings." After one of the most interesting speeches I have ever heard from Kim Godsoe, the dean of Academic Services, I left the hall with her last words "Find your genius." And then orientation officially began.

There were a lot of events and seminars and, in between these, there was a sort of chemical reaction among the midyears. People formed bonds and then broke off and combined with other people to form other bonds. But most of these relationships were temporary because, after a few days, most of the people that seemed to hit it off at orientation reshuffled into new groups. The midyears were trying to find their niche, trying to find out where they fit in this big jigsaw puzzle that is Brandeis.

The other international students and I found it twice as hard to integrate; it was exhausting. First of all, there were the language and social barriers; some of the time we really didn't understand what was going on. We just followed the crowd, did what everybody else did and smiled a lot or not at all.

Secondly, unlike the fall semester, the only orientation for internationals was held in the second week of the semester, which meant that we generally had no idea what was required of us the whole first week. In addition, there really wasn't any flexibility to the program, as we were kept occupied (most of the time in redundant discussion and icebreaker sessions) until late at night.

This didn't really give time for most of us to recuperate from long journeys from other countries, which resulted in people skipping events. In a general sense, one could say it was a little rushed--for us at least.

However, there were some really exciting and positive aspects to the experience. The orientation leaders really lived up to Brandeis' welcoming reputation. We were received with open arms and, in some cases, warm hugs; it was truly friendly and welcoming. And orientation altogether was really fun! From the helpful resource workshops, the hilarious Health and Wellness seminar with Dawn Skop, through the craziness of karaoke on Stein Night to the jaw-dropping "Sex Trek" and enjoyable Casino Night, I, along with numerous other midyears, will attest to the success of the Midyear Orientation. We also saw "Shear Madness," an interactive show in Boston that was really funny and interactive.

Even when the rest of the first-year class came back to campus, we did not encounter the overwhelming feeling of being lost that everyone expected. On the contrary, it was a blessing being a part of the midyear class. Our small, yet incredibly talented, community allows one to genuinely get to know another person without any falsity and pretense. I was able to come out of my shell and participate in all of the activities; it really did help me get settled in to a certain degree.

In the end, it was the wondrous mix of the excitement of the midyears, the enthusiasm of the orientation leaders and the dedication of administration that really made the experience transcend baseness of any kind. It was truly a success.

Finally, even though I haven't completely acclimated to the culture and the community yet, I feel quite at ease. There is no more queasiness or nerves. I daresay it is a feeling that all Internationals and midyears share-that everyone who's a part of the Brandeis community shares: a feeling of release and freedom, of casting aside every inhibition, throwing oneself into the experience and ultimately transforming into a true Brandeisian.