We interviewed Jojo Das, former Jump Start participant, Orientation leader and now Community Animator, on what the experience meant to him.
Hi Jojo, let’s start with why you chose to work with Jump Start!
“I wanted to connect with and make an impact on the First Year Community. I worked in Residence Life as an RA in the past year with upper year students, and while I enjoyed that immensely, I missed the unbridled enthusiasm that only students fresh out of high-school can bring!”
How did Jump Start help you build community at UBC?
“Jump Start is two weeks of university without having the ‘university’ schoolwork part.
The most important aspect of Jump Start is learning how to form and incorporate oneself into a larger community. Your friends form a really important part in your life, especially in these formative years, and Jump Start provides a free-trial of sorts to experiment, learn, and make mistakes.
I think being able to facilitate these interactions, and also participating in them myself a few years back, has helped me build community at UBC.
Coming back to work with Jump Start, I was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm that all the Orientation Leaders brought to program was wonderful. They would put energy into their Learning Communities [of students] and the students would return it right back.
The response was very tangible, and the more work you put in, the more fun you had!”
So at Jump Start, we have what we call ‘Jump Start Moments’, a really special moment of learning or connecting with others. What was yours?
“I have lots of Jump Start moments- I think it happens every week, when I see my own learning community from 2013 and spend time with them – catching up, sharing stories, making new experiences. Our entire LC is still quite tight knit, and have formed a sort of family. That in by itself makes me the happiest- I made the right decision in participating in Jump Start, and that those people are still with me today.
So why do you think Jump Start is such an important part of the first year experience?
“Jump Start gives you the incentive and opportunity to try new things and meet new people – but more importantly, gives you the confidence to continue to make those kind of interactions!
The end effort is always on the student. Orientation Leaders do as much as we can to help facilitate it, but it is the student that has to put themselves out there. I think being exposed to that little bit of discomfort helps us to grow as individuals & young adults.”
What’s one final parting piece of advice you would give to someone coming to UBC for the first time, and to Jump Start?
“Take the chance, say hello, & thrive in the occasional, conversational silence- don’t be afraid to be awkward – this is an opportunity to shape yourself to whatever and whoever you want to be!”
*Interview edited for length and clarity.