Heading to your Envision program? Whether you’ve chosen a medicine, STEM, national security, or leadership program, your experience is about to be unforgettable, but a little preparation can make it even better. No one knows that better than our alumni, who’ve walked the same campus halls, packed the same bags, and taken the same first-day deep breath.
From what to bring and how to pack, to staying open-minded and setting personal goals, past Envision students share their top preparation tips to help you feel ready and confident from day one.
As Jorge Santiz, a NYLF Medicine & Health Care Alumni Ambassador, puts it:
“Take care of yourself, stay curious, and enjoy every part of the journey. You’ll learn so much, not just about careers, but about yourself too.”
Their experiences prove that getting organized and going in with the right mindset can help you make the most of your time and might even lead to lifelong friendships, unexpected insights, or meaningful moments.
5 Tips from Experienced Envision Students
1. Be Prepared
“When I went to the Envision Experience for NYLF Explore STEM, I got ready by filling out everything in the Envision dashboard. It’s important to fill it out completely, especially adding in your parents’ phone numbers, emergency contacts, and any other important info. There’s also a checklist that guides you as to what to bring and what to wear.
Even though Envision provides breakfast and lunch, it’s a good idea to pack some snacks just in case you get hungry between meals. Also, bring a few pens/pencils because you’ll need to write in a notebook during the program. Being ready ahead of time made everything easier.”
—Joshua Torres, NYLF Explore STEM, Alumni Ambassador, June 2024
2. Go with an Open Mind
“Keep an open mind and a positive attitude. This program is about more than academics. It’s also about personal growth. Be ready to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and build connections. Some of the friendships you make here will stay with you long after the program ends.
Stay organized by reviewing your schedule and setting a few personal goals. Take notes, ask questions, and make the most of the guidance from your speakers and mentors. Most importantly, enjoy every moment! Get involved in activities, explore your surroundings, and have fun. This is an experience you’ll always remember fondly.”
—Diego Aponte, NYLF Advanced Medicine & Health Care, Alumni Ambassador, July 2024
3. Make a List
“I prepared by looking at the Envision website to see what I needed to pack in my bag. My mom helped me fill out all the important paperwork online, even before the due date. I used a packing checklist of what was allowed and what was not allowed to help me stay organized as I packed my suitcase.”
—Lorena Knox, Junior National Young Leaders Alumni Conference, Alumni Ambassador, July 2024
4. Pay Attention to the Small Things
“To prepare for your upcoming program, pack thoughtfully! Oddly enough, in my experience at Envision, Band-Aids brought forth life-lasting bonds. I strived to be prepared for anything, overpacking as ever. Anticipating the blisters from my shoes, I brought Band-Aids for the back of my heels. Unexpectedly, I was not alone in the pain. Numerous girls had aching feet, too. Contrarily, they did not regard bringing something so niche as Band-Aids, but I did. Henceforth, from small talk and pleasantries in small interactions, I began to connect with so many ladies, ones I now get to call friends. Packing thoughtfully and passing band-aids down the line became so much more than a quick gesture. To prepare for your upcoming Envision trip, pack for those niche experiences. Maybe you’ll get to help a girl out like I did. Whether it be gum, pencils, a Polaroid, or Band-Aids, be kind, be a friend, and be ready!”
—Isabella Herman, NYLF National Security Alumni Ambassador, July 2024
5. Pack Strategically
“As someone who’s already been through an Envision program, I want to help you feel prepared and excited for what’s ahead. Trust me, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience!
First, pack light. You don’t need a lot—just comfortable clothes, good shoes, and the essentials. Read your program materials in advance so you know what to expect. It really helps to go in with a few personal goals, like making new friends or trying something new.
Be open to meeting people from all over the world. I made some amazing friends just by starting simple conversations. Also, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s speaking up in a session or trying a new activity, every moment is a chance to grow.
Take care of yourself, stay curious, and enjoy every part of the journey. You’ll learn so much—not just about careers, but about yourself too. You’ve got this.”
—Jorge Santiz, NYLF Medicine & Health Care Alumni Ambassador, July 2024
Recommendations for NYLF-Medicine and Healthcare Students
“I attended NYLF Medicine and Healthcare this past summer. This was my first time attending an academic summer program.
Here are the things that I would go back and tell myself before I arrived on campus:
1. Be open and ready to learn new things. During this program, I learned so much about healthcare that I hadn’t previously known or thought about. For me, this was looking at the physical therapy aspect of medicine. Everything you learn will be insanely interesting and will help you in the future.
2. Presenting. There will be a decent amount of presenting your work and your ideas in this program. I am not one who enjoys public speaking; however, this program helped me become more comfortable with my public speaking skills, and it helped me prepare for the college and medical school presentations I will eventually have to participate in. Don’t stress about it. Nobody in the group will make fun of you, even if you say something incorrectly.
3. Supplies. Take a computer and a notebook. These things will be immensely helpful when you are trying to find out different symptoms or working on a slide presentation. Taking notes will also greatly help you throughout the program. During your time at NYLF Medicine & Healthcare, you will see multiple presenters from different fields of medicine. Writing down your questions for them and just general information they gave you can be helpful when deciding what field of medicine you want to pursue.”
—Mak Grebb, NYLF Medicine & Health Care Alum, 2024-2025 Ambassador.
More Do’s and Don’ts of an Away Program
- Do your best to make friends. The people in the program with you aren’t as scary as they may seem. Having friends in the program can make you feel more comfortable away from home.
- Don’t assume you know more than everyone else. Some of the people attending these programs have done extensive research and passion projects. Also, you are all there to learn new things, and nobody is better than anyone else.
- Do participate in class. The best way to learn and get your questions answered is by asking the people teaching you the material.
- Don’t isolate yourself. This whole experience may be new and scary, I know it was for me, but it became so much better as soon as I became involved in the activities being offered.
- Do get to know your roommates. These are the people you will spend a lot of time with. Get to know them!
- Do remember that you are all in this program for a very similar reason. Try not to be afraid to talk to people, you know that you will have at least one thing in common.
No matter which Envision program you’re attending, one thing is clear: being prepared helps you step into the experience with confidence and ease. These tips, from filling out your dashboard to packing a notebook and a few extra snacks, aren’t just practical; they reflect the personal growth and thoughtfulness our alumni bring to every program.
As you get ready for your program, remember that preparation isn’t just about supplies—it’s about your mindset. Stay open. Stay engaged. And don’t forget that everyone else is figuring it out, too. Your future classmates, mentors, and even lifelong friends are all waiting to meet the best-prepared version of you.
Envision by WorldStrides is passionate about guiding students each step of the way as they rise to their highest potential through transformative experiences. Our programs offer hands-on experiences that allow high schoolers to test the waters of possible career tracks in: