Recreation and social events give the freshmen a temporary escape from the intense studies, as well as familiarize the students with the city, the campus and each other. Friendship is just one of the long-term benefits of the program. In that way, participants become apprised of the sources of information on campus and connect to a network of social and academic advice. Everything was there for me to use, while I know there were a lot of other kids who didn't even know that half of the stuff was there, basically. For a year, she tracked a group of freshmen who had completed the program, comparing them against a group who hadn't.
Participants claim the program has had a positive impact on their lives.
Instructors, like students, speak very highly of the program. They particularly appreciate the freedom it allows. Most of us in English don't get a chance to do that. So it should be educational for them.