The sounds of new connections filled the hallways outside of room 230 during the Buddy Meet and Greet in 2CW on Tuesday. Organized by the MGH Institute’s Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), the event offered first-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students a fun and relaxed opportunity to connect with second-year OTD students, ask questions, and begin building meaningful relationships.

“The goal here is to have the first-year, second-year, and third-year OTD students on campus get to know each other and bond,” shared Bridie O’Sullivan, second-year OTD student and president of SOTA. “This way, we can create a space where students can build connections and friendships and simply be there for each other when they have questions.”

During the event, first-year students were matched with their second-year student buddy. Conversations and laughter spread across the room as the pairs were encouraged to learn as much as possible about their buddies to help them play a quiz game.

Students throughout the OTD program are looking forward to the opportunities available from being a part of SOTA and the Buddy program.

“I'm excited to get hands-on experience and get to know my ‘OT big’ as I call it,” shared Jami Lashinsky, a first-year OTD student. “I'm very excited to see what opportunities also come along from these connections.”