Taste, Tech & Teamwork

About Taste, Tech & Teamwork

Join fellow first-year students, experienced student leaders and Bucknell staff as you explore one of the nation's hottest tech towns. You’ll travel to Pittsburgh to meet alumni business leaders at their offices, tour local foodie hotspots and test out your teamwork skills at team destinations.

In addition to forming lasting connections with fellow students, you'll meet Bucknell alumni and prospective employers before your first semester even begins. In short, Taste, Tech & Teamwork will help set you up for a successful four years at Bucknell. You'll be encouraged to reflect on your experiences and opportunities throughout the trip, learning skills of presence and mindfulness as you start you educational journey.

This Pre-Orientation program is hosted by the Office of Experiential Learning in the Freeman College of Management. This program is open to students in all colleges.

Thanks to generous support from Bucknell alumni, there is no fee to attend this experience.

What You’ll Do

The itinerary is still being finalized, but here's an overview:

Engage in the tastes of the area, meeting with alumni at a variety of restaurants and venues, visiting the local markets and participating in a cooking class
Visit employers and alumni to learn more about industries and the Bucknell community
Team up with your peers at Pittsburgh staples like Delgrosso’s Amusement Park or the for a visit to the stadium

Whom It’s For

This Pre-Orientation program is open to all incoming Bucknell students in any college.

Pre-O Accommodations

Participants will stay in a hotel in the heart of Pittsburgh. There will be two or three students in each room.

Cost to Attend

Thanks to generous support from Bucknell alumni, the fee to attend this experience has been waived. There will be no fee for students who apply.

How to Apply

This program is limited to a maximum number of 20 students. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications will be available in mid-January, and the deadline is June 28, 2024

Pre-Orientation Move-In Day Schedule

Friday, Aug. 16
7–11 a.m.	Arrival and Check-in Outside Sojka Pavillion Students will receive their room key and BUID and check in with their Pre-O program leaders. After check-in, head to your residence hall to unpack your belongings and settle in.
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Lunch Bostwick Marketplace, Elaine Langone Center All Pre-Orientation participants, their families and friends are invited to lunch as guests of the University (no charge). Pick up your lunch tickets at Pre-O check-in.
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Resource Fair Ground Floor, Elaine Langone Center Representatives from a variety of campus offices will be present to answer your questions. Meet staff from Bertrand Library, Bucknell Nutrition, Bucknell Student Health, Campus Activities & Programs, Dining, Equity & Inclusive Excellence Offices, Global & Off-Campus Education, Public Safety, the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, Undergraduate Fellowships and Research and more.
12:30 p.m.	Program Meetings Meeting locations will be posted in June Parents and families are invited to join their student and attend these meetings. Program leaders will share details about program schedules and expectations and will be available to answer questions
2 p.m.	Students: Programs Begin
2 p.m.	Families: University Welcome Weis Center Concert Hall University officials welcome and advise family members on the first year at Bucknell. Light refreshments will be served before the welcome; parents and families are invited to stay after to mingle.

More details about the move-in day schedule will be shared in early 2024.