Say LIS, can you tell us what to expect from this GOALE thing in August?
I could, but you're better off experiencing it for yourself.
🙂
It's based off of
Veterinary Leadership Experience.
GOALE is actually a full year-long course (unless that was changed with the new curriculum). Your first few days are dedicated to it, including a two day camping trip, but you continue to meet regularly every few weeks or so throughout the year in your GOALE groups (~10 students plus a few mentor instructors). GOALE is a multipurpose 'class' designed to introduce professional skills, help you meet and build relationships with classmates and colleagues, help drive positive interactions during your time here, and develop leadership qualities.
The two-day camping event at the beginning can be thought of as a team-building sort of event, but it's really meant to be more than that. It's definitely corny in some ways, but in the end almost everyone usually agrees it was a great way to start off school. My best advice is to come with an open and willing attitude. You'll get out of it what you put into it.
🙂
There will be large-group (as in, your whole class) meetings along with break-out time into your small GOALE groups. At the camping event, you will have upperclass student mentors as well as faculty and staff mentors.
I think the best thing I can say is this: I am a strong introvert who generally dislikes GOALE-like team-building activities. In spite of that, I volunteered to serve as a student mentor last year for the incoming class, and have volunteered again this year to be there for your class. (I haven't heard yet whether I'll be there, but I hope to see all you guys for it, though.)
On a more practical note, be prepared for weather on either extreme from bitter cold and rainy to blazing hot. The cabins are not air-conditioned. A great deal of time will be spent outside.
Hope that helps! It's something to look forward to, in spite of how awkward it might sound.
🙂
