An enthusiastic group of students attended the Peer Leaders Training on June 10, where they were prepared to provide an important level of support for new students who will join AUS in Academic Year 2019–20.

Throughout academic year, the selected Peer Leaders will play an important role in helping new students adjust to university life. During the Welcome Session and orientation program provided for new students each semester, the Peer Leaders volunteer to help newly admitted students and their parents find the answers to questions they may have about life at AUS. Peer Leaders also maintain their connections with the new students throughout the year, mentoring them as they adjust to university life.

The Peer Leaders Program is based on the underlying principle that peers strongly influence the development of attitude and behaviors of one another. In addition to benefiting the new students, this program also gives current students opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership and interpersonal skills.

As part of the training program, Nidal Sherif and Pavithra Ramaprasad, active students in the Student Leadership Program and Peer Leaders for Academic Year 2018–2019, led an interactive presentation on the goals and responsibilities of peer leaders. They also shared their experiences and pointed out intrinsic characteristics of successful peer leaders. A representative from Office of Enrollment Management also offered valuable information about rules and procedures concerning admissions and registration, which are often the subject of questions commonly asked by new students.

“It was a great honor for me to be called to run the Peer Leaders Training Session,” Ramaprasad, a junior majoring in economics, said. “As a freshman, I had a wonderful Peer Leader, and so as a sophomore, I applied to be a Peer Leader and I learned a lot along the way while helping new freshmen. Now, as a junior, I was asked to run the workshop, and it was wonderful to draw from my own experiences, and prepare the Peer Leaders, too,” she added.

Program participants say the session prepared them well for the experience to come.

“The training session, which was very informative and enjoyable, provided insight into the whole process of our duty as a Peer Leader. I look forward to participating in the Welcome Session and orientation week,” said Saadiya Samreen, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering.