With the aim of fostering connections from day one, the Graduate School of Communication and Design at Universidad ORT Uruguay a welcome event for the class of 2026.
The event combined individual reflection, collaborative work, and activities designed to support the start of the academic journey.
The main objective was to provide an initial opportunity for students to meet, fostering the development of meaningful connections from the start of the course, and to introduce tools that would enable them to navigate their graduate studies in a sustainable manner.
An approach focused on self-leadership
The main activity was led by Mariángela Besio, who designed and facilitated an experience focused on developing self-leadership.
With a background and career in the corporate sector—including more than 15 years of experience in industrial plants, logistics, human resources, and team leadership—Mariángela Besio shared an approach focused on building personal systems that enable individuals to sustain demanding processes.
During his presentation, he introduced a key idea that served as the framework for the entire event:
A graduate degree doesn't just add to your knowledge. It also adds complexity.
In this regard, he encouraged the students to reflect on their personal management skills and to devise concrete strategies for tackling the academic challenge: “The question isn’t whether you can do it. It’s what system supports you.”
The Dynamics of Integration: From Self-Awareness to Connection with Others
As part of the experience, a guided activity was conducted that combined moments of individual reflection with opportunities for group discussion.
Each student received a kit containing cards with specific prompts designed to help identify key aspects such as personal priorities, boundaries, needs, and warning signs.
The initiative moved on to anetworkingsessioncalledthe “partner marketplace,” where participants were able to build connections based on complementary skills or shared interests. This exercise aimed to foster the development of support networks for the duration of the graduate program.
A closing session focused on personal management
The day concluded with a reflection that captured the spirit of the gathering, echoing Peter Drucker’s words:“The most important thing in life is knowing how to manage yourself.”
In this way, the event achieved its goal of welcoming the new students and laid the groundwork for an educational process that goes beyond academics, focusing on holistic development and the development of personal skills to support learning throughout the year.
The first step in a collaborative process
The welcome event for the Class of 2026 proved to be a key milestone in launching their journey at the Graduate School of Communication and Design, combining conceptual content, participatory activities, and opportunities for networking.
From day one, the students began building both their academic foundation and their support network, as well as a personal system that will enable them to navigate the challenges of graduate school with greater clarity, focus, and guidance.
