SAF Crews: A bond that motivates and pushes us to do better

Thursday, April 23, 2020
by Serena, Sukhbirl, Amy, Jake, Jeyanth and Haneen, AFM

Serena Cen, Sukhbir Gill, Amy Jiang, Jake Trinidad, Jeyanth Yogaratnasingam, Haneen Zakaria

Hey guys!

We are so fortunate to talk to you about our experiences in building team work skills and how you can do the same within your SAF Crew.Teamwork and chemistry are very important when it comes to group work and your Crew, so building that early on in your first year is the key to success.

In our 1A term, our Crew decided to take a nice scenic walk to Waterloo Park. We had the chance to see the early Christmas lights, some amazing animals and even said hi to a couple of the geese; which is the picture shown above. One of the biggest memories we all share is when we met the miniature horses in the park’s animal farm. It was at this moment that we had one of the funniest moments of our university days. Sukhbir asked us ‘How do they shrink?’, and at that moment we all burst into laughter and will never forget it. This was one of many experiences we have had as a crew to get away from our studies and just enjoy each other's company.

It’s crazy to think that something small like a little comment about miniature horses can stick with a group and help them bond. When we were working on our final AFM 132 presentation in 1A, it was easier for us to work together and help each other knowing that we had built a relationship with everyone in the Crew. The bond we built allowed us to motivate and push each other to be better. We want you guys to know that even the smallest get togethers or moments with your Crew can make a big difference when it matters.

And don’t forget to always have fun!!


Individuals perform better and get more from their experiences when they are supported by a group of their peers. That’s why learning teams are used at Columbia Business School, work teams are used at Google, and training teams are used by Olympians. SAF Crews are groups of 5-6 students that support each other through the first year SAF experience. Crew members build strong working relationships with each other, attend events together and support each other’s professional awareness and academic success.