Every year, a small portion of the incoming first-year class at Hamilton is given the opportunity to study off-campus for their first semester. These January Admits, or “Jans,” come to campus in August for first-year orientation before heading to various locations around the world to spend their fall semester. Following their time abroad, the Jans return to campus from winter break a few days early to get to know Hamilton’s campus before starting classes. Typically, there are only about 45 January Admits. Due to the large size of the Class of 2025, however, 66 students participated in various January Admit programs this year and began their time on campus with a second orientation on Jan. 13.

Katie Lehmann ’25 spent her fall semester in Hawaii with Carpe Diem, a study abroad program for college students of any year. Lehmann describes her experience as fulfilling and hands-on. “I camped for almost three months on Maui and the Big Island and learned about Hawaiian culture through local volunteer work.” Lehmann recognizes that the January Admit program made it possible for her to have this unique and enriching experience, instead of a traditional, on-campus one. “If I wasn’t a Jan I would not have been able to do this program which was one of the best experiences of my life.” She added that she also used this time to reflect and meet more people before coming to Clinton. “I learned so much about myself before getting to school and met people I likely would have never met.”

While her experience in Hawaii was invaluable, she also notes that there are downsides to being off-campus first semester freshman year, as she is not yet as adjusted to life on campus as other first-year students who arrived in the fall are, saying, “I think the biggest downside is just that I am starting behind everyone so it’s a little challenging to catch up.”

With those downsides in mind, Lehmann is looking forward to continuing to meet people at Hamilton and settling into life on College Hill. “I am looking forward to finding my footing here at Hamilton and getting in a routine, as well as meeting new people,” Lehmann explained.

First-year Abby Lonnegren ’25 opted to go to London, the most popular first-semester program for Jans. Of the 66 Jans, around 50 went to London this fall. Hamilton partners with the Arcadia University program in London to provide Jans with a strong academic curriculum during their time abroad. Lonnegren appreciates both the community and independence she gained during her time in London. “My favorite part of being a Jan is the close knit group we have as Jans, as well as the opportunity to live somewhere unfamiliar and gain independence in that way,” she says.

Despite the rise in COVID cases and the implementation of more guidelines on campus, Lonnegren enjoyed the Jan orientation, finding it a good opportunity to further connections with other Jans and getting to know campus.“I loved Jan orientation. All London Jans got a lot closer and our leaders were super welcoming and helpful.” Similar to the initial first-year orientation in August, the Jan orientation focused on getting comfortable on campus both geographically and socially. Activities included a welcome dinner, a campus-wide scavenger hunt, a game night, and a bingo night. The Jans also attended the same honor code and community standard meetings on-campus first-years went to during the August orientation. “We played a lot of games, learned about where things were on campus and talked a lot about ways to assimilate onto campus in the second semester,” Lonnegren added.

Lonnegren is looking forward to taking advantage of on-campus opportunities in the upcoming semester and continuing to make friendships. “This semester I am looking forward to joining clubs and organizations such as the outing club and meeting people who I have a lot in common with,” Lonnegren says, “as well as trying new things like climbing and making more friends!”