On Monday, 19th January 2026, I packed my bags and headed to the AUN campus to begin a week as a student volunteer. I had applied and been accepted for this role during the freshman orientation week at the end of the previous Fall 2025 semester. I was curious and excited for the amazing experience that awaited me.
When I arrived on campus and got my dorm room sorted out, the other student volunteers and I were expected to meet at the cafeteria by 6:00 PM to discuss our roles and duties for the upcoming orientation week. At the cafeteria, I saw quite a few familiar faces, including friends and other students I usually see on campus. After a few minutes, the head of the student volunteers, Mr. Olajibu Babalola, arrived to start the meeting. We discussed everyone’s roles, duties, and responsibilities. After the meeting, we disbanded to freshen up, rest, and prepare for the arrival of the new students the next day.
The following day, all volunteers gathered at the cafeteria for breakfast and to start the day’s work. The student volunteers were split into three groups: the transport group, the Orientation Assistants group (OAs), and the group I was in, the venue group. The transport group headed out first, leaving campus in an AUN bus to welcome and bring the new students from the airport. The venue and OA groups set off next to the Commencement Hall to set up for the registration happening on Wednesday. When we got to the hall, both groups set up all the chairs and tables each department would need for registration. After that, two other volunteers and I were asked to head to the male freshman dorms (Residence Hall FF) to receive the new students when they arrived from the airport with the transport group. When the first batch of new students arrived, we went to the bus to greet them and carry their luggage into the residence hall. I saw students not only from all around the country but also international students. It was heartwarming to see the nervous yet determined looks on their faces as they entered their new lives. Once they were assigned their rooms by the Residence Assistants (RAs), we carried their bags to each room. We did this for the next three batches of new students that came with the transport group, as well as for students who arrived on their own with their parents and guardians. The last batch came in at around 5:30 PM. After that, the volunteers and I went to the cafeteria for dinner. The new students who had arrived that day joined us, and we struck up conversations with them to help them feel more relaxed and at home. After dinner, we all called it a night and went to bed.
Wednesday morning arrived, and a busy schedule awaited all of us. A small group of volunteers were put in charge of waking up the new students, while another group was responsible for taking them to the cafeteria. This was called "Wake up and Pick up" duty. When those on pick-up duty brought the students to the cafeteria, both volunteers and students had breakfast together. After breakfast, it was time for all of us to head to the Commencement Hall for the new students’ registration, the only activity they had that day. When we got there, each student was asked to take a seat. While waiting, they were required to fill out various forms which they would submit at different desks. A small booklet called a "passport" was given to them as they were seated. Every department and activity was meant to sign on the page allocated to them. The volunteers were in charge of distributing the forms and passports, explaining any part of the form that was unclear, and ensuring the students filled them out correctly. Some volunteers were also responsible for coordinating the students' movement to each department’s desk and checking their passports to ensure the previous departments had signed. Another volunteer and I were tasked with coordinating the students to the finance desk and checking their passports to confirm the admissions desk had signed off first. We were also in charge of helping students print their documents, guiding them to each registration point, and managing many of the affairs in the hall. This process went on from 8:30 AM to around 5:00 PM, with some students still not having completed their registration. Unfortunately, those who could not finish had to return at a later date. As we and the new students left the hall for dinner, everyone had a tired look on their faces. We all went to bed exhausted but knew we had to be up early for the next day’s activities.
Thursday rolled around, and I was on pick-up duty that morning. I was responsible for ensuring every new student was out of the dorms and at the cafeteria by 7:30 AM. After our usual breakfast, we headed to the library auditorium by 8:30 AM. We were tasked with coordinating the seating arrangements for both the new students and the parents who attended the event. There were several activities planned for the day. The first was the President’s Welcome Session. The President of AUN, Dr. Dewayne Fraizer, gave an inspiring and motivating speech to the new students. He spoke about his past and how he overcame a difficult childhood to achieve his goals. He also discussed the school's achievements, goals, future projects, and ambitions to make AUN the best university in Africa. After the welcome session, the President of the Student Government Association (SGA), Bashir Zakari, gave an excellent and encouraging speech. He motivated the new students to explore new things, step out of their comfort zones, and enjoy their academic journey. Next was Mr. Sesugh, the Dean of Student Affairs. He gave a heartwarming speech about his own campus life and encouraged students to explore extracurricular activities while balancing their academics. Following him was the Provost, Dr. Paul Vita, who introduced the Deans of each school as they walked onto the stage. Each Dean spoke about their schools and the departments within them. After these events, we all went to the cafeteria for lunch before the English Placement Test at 3:00 PM. After lunch, the new students and volunteers returned to the library auditorium for the test. The English instructors, with support from the volunteers, coordinated the placement test, which lasted two and a half hours. After the test, the new students went back to the dorms to freshen up and change into nicer clothes for the President’s Welcome Dinner that night at 6:00 PM. I was responsible for ensuring all the male students returned to the dorms to change and then head to the dinner. When I brought the students to the event, a few other volunteers and I guided students, parents, faculty, staff, and other guests to their seats. Other volunteers ensured every table was served with food and drinks. The event began with the President giving another wonderful and captivating speech, followed by speeches from two volunteers sharing their experiences at AUN. As the event came to an end, a new student needed to get her mother’s bags from her dorm room in Residence Hall AA, and I was sent to accompany her. As we walked to the dorm, I asked her how her experience at AUN had been so far. I was delighted to hear it was wonderful and unlike anything she had imagined. I helped her carry her bags out of the dorms, and when we got to her mom, she was very grateful. Following the President’s dinner was a short Activities Expo at the Student Hub, where we gave the new students a brief overview of the different sports, clubs, and activities AUN offers. After that, we bade them goodnight and told them to prepare for the next day’s events.
Friday morning arrived, and another busy day awaited us. The new students had their Math Placement Test at 8:30 AM at the School of Law auditorium. The exam ended at 11:00 AM, and the students had a 30-minute break before the next event. The next event was the American Space session, held in the 24-hour room at the library. Representatives from the American Space educated the students on what the organization is all about. Next was the Library Session, where library staff taught students how to use library resources and avoid plagiarism in their assignments. After them, the Math and Writing Center sessions followed, enlightening students on the services these centers offer. The last speakers for this series of events were from the Security Department, who reassured students about their safety on campus. After these events, we all went to the cafeteria for dinner, then back to the dorms to prepare for one last event of the day: the social mixer event called WOW-A-RAMA, happening at 9:00 PM. I was excited to attend since I didn’t get the opportunity during my own orientation week as a new student. The event took place at the Student Hub, where the volunteers and I engaged the students with activities, games, and refreshments. It was a fun and lively event, and everyone left the Student Hub happy, though exhausted from the day’s activities.
On Saturday, after breakfast, the volunteers and new students headed off for the students’ community service. AUN buses took different groups of students and volunteers to various rural areas. When we arrived, people were already there helping the community in several ways. The new students were asked to paint classrooms, including the doors and windows. They were happy and excited to do so, approaching the task with much more joy than I had anticipated. Their enthusiasm was so contagious that the volunteers, including myself, joined them. When we finished painting, we took a group photograph and headed back to campus, arriving around 12:30 PM. We all had lunch at the cafeteria upon our return. At 2:00 PM, the students had a series of events in the 24-hour room at the library. They met with representatives from the Judicial and Academic Registry departments, who explained their roles and how they assist students. After these sessions, the volunteers and new students had dinner at the cafeteria and then rested before the pool party at 8:00 PM that night. By 7:30 PM, two buses arrived to take us from the school to the AUN Club. When we got there, music was playing, and a DJ was spinning tracks. Everyone was dancing and having a good time. Some swam in the pool, while others relaxed on the chairs. By 11:00 PM, it was time to head back to campus. Everyone left for their dorms to sleep and prepare for the next day’s activities.
Fortunately, there were no events on Sunday morning. The first event of the day started at 2:00 PM: the Going Green Initiative, held in the 24-hour room at the library once again. The next event was the Discovery of Student Life session, where multiple departments—such as the DSA office, Career Services, Student Activities, and Residence Life—spoke to the students about how they would help them make the most of their stay at AUN. The last event was the IT guidelines session hosted by the IT department, where students were shown how to use all the internet services AUN offers. After that, we had dinner and went to bed to prepare for the big day ahead.
Monday was the day everyone had been waiting for: the new students’ pledge ceremony and the end of orientation week. Everyone was excited. The students put on their best formal clothes and headed to the Law School Auditorium, where the event was taking place. The ceremony was wonderful, with many dignitaries speaking to warmly welcome the new students into the AUN community. As the students were called to receive their pledge ceremony sashes, everyone cheered and celebrated them as they entered a new phase of their lives. After the ceremony, all volunteers were asked to go to the cafeteria. When we got there, we celebrated not only the new students but also ourselves for the great work we had done throughout the week. After that, we took a group picture, hung up our volunteering shirts, and prepared for the next day—the first day of classes.
The orientation week was one of the most exciting weeks of my life. I got to experience what it is like to serve a community and guide people toward a new phase of their lives. I made new friends, not only among the volunteers but also among the new students. I created so many fun memories during the week as well. I hope I get the chance to volunteer again during the orientation week of the next Fall 2026 semester.
James Augustine Dan-Okereke is a first-year Electrical/Electronics Engineering student.
By James Augustine Dan-Okereke