Having had a few days to settle into their new surroundings on the Homewood campus, first-year Johns Hopkins University students ventured a bit farther afield on Tuesday to explore the place they'll call home for the next several years.
Baltimore Day, an orientation tradition in its fifth year, helps new students familiarize themselves with city neighborhoods and other destinations. On Tuesday, 17 motor coach buses ferried the more than 1,300 members of the Class of 2022 to a host of Charm City locations, including Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Inner Harbor, the historic Baltimore Basilica, and the George Peabody Library.
"It's really important that, starting from their first week here, new students understand that Baltimore isn't just a place they go to school—it's their new home," said Brittany Claridge, JHU's assistant director of orientation and first-year experience. "We want to give them the chance to experience Baltimore outside of the tourist locations, to explore different parts of the city with their friends and really see this as a place that they can live, have fun, and connect with one another."
The day of immersion also included a session led by the Center of Social Concern detailing its programs, including the HopServe 50 service program, which challenges students to participate in at least 50 hours of unpaid community service and/or civic engagement activities during the academic year.
Another session helped students learn how to navigate their new environs, with information on campus shuttles and buses, the university's on-demand Night Ride service, and city transportation options.
The day concluded with the annual Baltimore Day BBQ.
Posted in Student Life
Tagged orientation, class of 2022
