Every year, in September and October, three new sets of students arrive, one in each Passerelles numériques centre. Known as the Integration Days or the Welcoming Days, this very important moment concerns not only the new students, but also the entire PN teams! Thus, it is considered as one of the busiest months of the year. Education and Training are the top 2 most in-demand departments but the help of everyone allows us to offer the best welcoming possible to the newcomers!
Welcome to PN!
Leaving their family for the first time, arriving in a big city, joining a new school and living environment is a big change for all our new students. This is why the Integration Days at PN are essential: newcomers are being welcomed in their “new life”. Integration is a full process which includes the welcoming and visit of the centre and new living place, a short seminar outside of the centre and a pre-training.
PNC2018 arriving at the students boarding house
Making their mark
First, students spend time in the centre to register and do some paperwork. They receive their PN polos which will follow them all along their studies! It’s always an emotional moment to see them arrive, either alone or with some relatives, carrying their few personal belongings and mustering up their courage to face this new big step!
They receive a welcoming speech by our General Managers and the different departments introduce their roles and how they will interact with students during the next few months. Then, they are given time to visit their new school. Students are accompanied to their new living place. They can meet their allocated roommates and take time to settle before visiting the new city they will now live in. Most of them come from rural areas so they are usually intimidated and impressed by this new environment!
“The very first day we arrived in the PN, everything was so new and strange for us. On our third day of stay in the center, everything gradually changed: thanks to the Integration Days. I was amazed with everything that was happening especially with the overwhelming welcome that the PN family (staff and alumni) gave us. This is when I started to learn the true essence of PN — an extraordinary NGO that treats us as their own family and provides us a gateway to success; for me, that’s the most important thing I discovered from the integration.” said Crizy Jhen Brangan, PNP Scholar, Class 2019
Crizy during Integration Days
A greener grass for a few days
Once settled, students and staff hit the road for an amazing, fun and creative seminar. Because our centres are located in busy towns, it is a tradition at PN to take everyone to the countryside for a few days. The three spots are very nice, surrounded by nature, ideal to welcome big groups and to organize outdoor activities such as introduction games, sports, community service, cohesion activities, singing, dancing and other “talents show” which everyone, students and staff, are fond of! During 2 to 3 days, everyone enjoys living together and sharing delicious meals.
The seminar is a key moment as it enables newcomers to get to know each other in an informal, peaceful environment, and get to know the staff (and vice versa). It aims at creating team spirit and strengthen students’ self-confidence. Last but not least, it is a privileged time for students to experiment and get familiar with PN’s spirit and values which will be the roots of their two-year journey at PNC.
For the education team, it is a key moment to observe them individually and as a group. They can spot students with problems or potential class leaders!
“With Integration Days, we have changed, from being passive to being active. We are now brave enough to share our ideas, we learnt about strong values, and we know better all the people around us.” said a PNC student on the way back from the seminar. “After Integration Days, we feel more confident and happier. We were also impressed by this warm welcome!” added another one.
Stronger together
Integration Days also concerns the PN teams. Everyone takes part in the welcoming of the new students and most of them join the seminar. Staff can either take part in the activities or become facilitators, however it’s always a lot of fun to see our General Managers sack race against a new student or our security guard! Staff presence is key because it strengthens the team and at the end of the seminar, staff and students feel much closer!
Education and training teams also believe it is a very good start to make students feel confident to share any question or problem with us during the 2 years.
“Going camping for integration was a lot of fun! We laughed, sweated and enjoyed ourselves so much. I, as a teacher, really got to know our new students and I am pretty sure they learned a lot about me and other PNV staff as well” Canh Tuan NGUYEN, English Teacher at PNV
“This event is one of the most demanding in terms of preparation and implementation but fortunately, we, in PN Philippines, always manage to make it successful and fulfilling every year! That’s what PN Team Spirit is all about: we are able to stand and hold on together in everything that we are doing.” said Fatima Tiah, Educator-Coordinator at PNP.
Back to school
Pre-training is also part of Integration. The length of time varies but pre-training is always designed to equip incoming first year students with knowledge and skills needed before starting to learn main IT concepts and to face a more intense rhythm. It’s aim is to level-off students in terms of learning fundamentals as they come from varied backgrounds. It includes various topics such as Introduction to computers, Problem solving, Intensive English classes, Grammar refreshers, Email usage and good practices, Organizational skills and other Basic Soft Skills, etc.
“Becoming a volunteer trainer in PNP is an honor. I always have the passion to impart my knowledge and skills to those who are in need. I can see myself on them because I was like them before, underprivileged when it comes to education. Thumbs up to PN because the students are committed to the NGO’s vision and mission. Additionally, the staff is so accommodating and devoted. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and allowing me to realize my advocacy!” shared Mr. Paul Inot, Pre-training volunteer in PN Philippines.
In a nutshell, the Integration Days serve as the foundation for our new students; it is the very beginning of the longer PN journey ahead of them. It is given great importance at Passerelles numériques as we believe it plays a huge part in the success of our young talents!
To discover more about our integration seminars, watch this homemade video from PNV!
Integration at PN Cambodia
Integration at PN Philippines
Integration at PN Vietnam
