Orientation & Connection

Day 1: Program Expectations and Who am I?

Today, we will outline the program expectations and the overall plan and structure of the days ahead. We will also discuss some of your take-aways and thoughts from the pre-program orientation activities.

GROUP NORMS

Speak from the “I” perspective. Be authentic.

Take responsibility for the impact of your actions and words.

Challenge yourself and others with grace aimed at clarity.

Listen to understand, not to judge.

Disagreement is a learning opportunity.

Lean into discomfort.

Practice your capacity to honor multiple perspectives.

As we remain impassioned, also remain respectful and civil.

The conversation is on-going

Identity Molecule Activity

Together we will introduce the Identity Molecule activity and the Self-Evaluation, and provide some time for students to work on this activity on their own.

  • Draw your Identity Molecule on a separate sheet of paper, and paste an image of your identity molecule in your Virtual Journal.

  • Then, answer these questions in preparation for our group discussion this afternoon:

  • Atoms have different sizes and different charges. Which atom (Dimensions) are bigger for you and which are smaller? Why?

  • Which atoms (Dimensions) are positive charge, negative charge, and neutral charge? Why/what does that mean to you?

  • Which atoms (Dimensions) can most people readily see, and what atoms are more hidden from others’ view?

  • Who sees your whole molecule? Where are you able to show up as your full authentic self? What makes that possible?

  • How has your identity molecule changed over time and/or in different spaces?

Complete Initial Self-Evaluation

To measure your growth in certain areas across the program, please complete The Self Evaluation in your Virtual Journal.

For each goal and competency, read the “I can” statements and determine whether you think those statements apply to you never, sometimes, often, usually or always. If you answer sometimes or more, please provide an example or instance for at least one part of each category in which you may have explored that particularly knowledge, skill, or attitude. Consider past experiences in school or extra-curricular activities that might have allowed you to develop more in these areas, and share that with us!

Afternoon Reflection

In small groups, we will share our identity molecules and report out some larger themes of identity, especially within our countries.

ANCHOR (PADLET OPTION)

Appreciations & Shout Outs

News & Next Day’s Plan

Concerns, thorns

Hopes

Obscurities

Reflections


DISCUSS & PLAN BLOG

How will we organize and run our student-led blog?

How do we determine who is blogging each day? SIGN UP FOR YOUR BLOG SLOT HERE

Evening Exploration

For Tuesday morning:

Respond to these reflection questions in your journal from the identity molecule activity sharing this afternoon.

In what ways has the identity molecule activity shed light on how you see the world and how others see the world? In what ways do you and your peers experience the world similarly and how do you differ?

How does understanding the way in which you experience the world shed light on how others do?

How might these dimensions inform the ways that people experience COVID-19?

What roles do institutions like education, healthcare, and government play in those experiences?


For Tuesday Afternoon Meeting:

Please review the Norms of White Culture and Norms of Privileged Peruvian Culture Documents, and Cultural Comparison linked here and on Day 2 page. Contemplate and respond to these questions in your Virtual Journal.

  • What are some things that surprise you about the white cultural norms in the United States

  • Do you agree with assumptions and norms in the document for Peru? What don’t agree with? What might you add?

  • What else might be on this document if it were to encompass all of Peruvian culture including minoritized groups? What are some of the similarities and differences you recognize between the U.S and Peru?

  • What thoughts, feelings, and questions are circling for you after viewing these two documents?

Also, when you have time, complete the self evaluation in your Virtual Journal.