Preparing for the PDO

What's a PDO? It stands for Pre-Departure Orientation.

It's for American Overseas (AO) students who apply to go on program with YFU. I've been helping organize them for years now. This year's Northern California PDO is being held at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, CA. I've never been to that park, so it'll be a new experience even for me.

Every year there's something new! The new part for me this year is having the PDO alongside a Re-Entry orientation for the international students who live in the area. So, while they're doing their sessions, the AO students will be having theirs. And then they'll have a couple sessions together. You know, like lunch. That's when the good stuff happens anyway...

I've sent out all the emails to students and parents (yep, we make sure the parents have their questions answered too!), so now it's just collecting the RSVP's. There's a few students who can't make it... possibly... Apparently, we picked a date when everything is happening: track meets, stage plays, proms, etc. But, that always happens. *shrug* Hey, it's a mandatory orientation, so I guess if they absolutely can't make it, we follow-up and make sure those students have an alternate orientation date.

Hopefully, we don't have to run around trying to book/rent another picnic spot!