Back to School 2024 / en 'A transformative experience': U of T program gives first-year student - and aspiring surgeon - a head start /news/transformative-experience-u-t-program-gives-first-year-student-and-aspiring-surgeon-head-start <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'A transformative experience': U of T program gives first-year student - and aspiring surgeon - a head start</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/0909NastehaOmar007.jpg?h=20014d77&amp;itok=NaJoPDy7 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-09/0909NastehaOmar007.jpg?h=20014d77&amp;itok=FBNFC2-s 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-09/0909NastehaOmar007.jpg?h=20014d77&amp;itok=FUsy_V8l 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/0909NastehaOmar007.jpg?h=20014d77&amp;itok=NaJoPDy7" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-12T13:14:30-04:00" title="Thursday, September 12, 2024 - 13:14" class="datetime">Thu, 09/12/2024 - 13:14</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Nasteha Omar is pursuing an honours bachelor of science in life sciences, and eyeing a specialist in molecular biology (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/current-students" hreflang="en">Current Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/first-year-students" hreflang="en">First Year Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Nasteha Omar, who wants to study orthopedics, spent a high school semester at U of T Mississauga via the Support, Engage, Experience (SEE) UTM program</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Nasteha Omar</strong> has long been interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon – and thanks to a unique program at the ؿζSM Mississauga, the first-year student is already well on her way.&nbsp;</p> <p>“I’ve had to go to hospital and be in contact with different orthopedic surgeons lots of times because of problems that I have myself,” she says. “And I found their careers really interesting from a young age. It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do.”</p> <p>While taking the first steps towards her goal at U of T Mississauga was always her intention – her family lives near the campus and her older sister is already a student – Omar got an early and up-close look at university life via the <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/seeutm">Support, Engage, Experience U of T Mississauga (SEE UTM)</a> initiative,&nbsp;which invites Peel District high school students to spend a semester at U of T Mississauga to get a taste of post-secondary education.</p> <p>It was nothing short of “a transformative experience,” says Omar, who was encouraged to apply for the initiative by her vice-principal at Erindale Secondary School.&nbsp;“It wasn’t only a chance to connect with peers and mentors, but also an opportunity to engage in programs that helped me enrich my academic and personal growth.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Now a first-year student, Omar is pursuing an honours bachelor of science degree in life sciences and eyeing a specialist in molecular biology.</p> <p>She says her SEE UTM experience allowed her to explore the sciences from a variety of lenses. One of the highlights was taking a course, "STEM in Society," that explores how the STEM fields intersect with society, culture and politics.</p> <p>“I’ve always been interested in the sciences and STEM, so participating in a course that was more about the ethical side of ongoing situations in our world – and of science topics – really opened my eyes to different pathways that I want to explore,” Omar says of the course taught by <strong>Sheliza Ibrahim</strong>, an assistant professor, teaching stream, in the Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy.</p> <p>In addition to exploring new intellectual ground, Omar also got a taste of hands-on scientific research in the <a href="https://applylab.org/index.html">Applied Perception &amp; Psychophysics Laboratory</a>, co-directed by Assistant Professors <strong>Anna Kosovicheva</strong> and <strong>Benjamin Wolfe</strong> of the department of psychology. There, Omar used MATLAB programming software to design an experiment to study how visual and auditory stimuli interact. “It was to show how our perception of time can be influenced by how we interpret events,” she says.&nbsp;</p> <p>While Omar didn’t have time to test the experiment before her semester ended, she plans to do more lab work as an undergraduate student, picking up where she left off.</p> <p>Alongside her SEE UTM experience, Omar also gained insight into U of T Mississauga's myriad resources and supports via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/black-access-educational-excellence">Black Access to Educational Excellence initiative (BAEE@UTM)</a>, which organizes events and networking opportunities aimed at helping Black high school students learn more about the campus community&nbsp;– a<span style="font-size: 1rem;">nd thrive once they get there.</span></p> <p>For Omar, that means looking beyond her academic goals. She&nbsp;plans to get involved in student clubs, particularly anything that caters to her love of literature – she writes poems and fiction, and took part in the <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/rgasc/undergraduate-students/caribbean-black-writing-collective">Caribbean &amp; Black Writing Collective</a> during her semester at the university. And she wants to start a non-profit tutoring organization by building on her high school experience founding the Erindale Secondary School chapter of <a href="https://www.learntobe.org/">Learn To Be</a>, an NGO that provides free online tutoring.&nbsp;</p> <p>“It was a great opportunity for students to not only gain volunteer hours but make connections with other students in an online tutoring format, where they tutored students from under-privileged families that wouldn’t be able to get extra help or access to educational resources outside of school,” she says.&nbsp;“I’d love to see it up and running at UTM if that would be a possibility.”</p> <p>Omar remains in touch with some of her peers from the SEE UTM and BAEE@UTM programs,&nbsp;as well as the upper-year U of T Mississauga students who served as mentors.</p> <p>“I feel like we were all able to grow really close as a community,” she says. “It helped me find my footing for what was to come when I enter university, so it was really amazing.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:14:30 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 309348 at Stay connected, find community: International student shares tips from her guide to studying in Canada /news/stay-connected-find-community-international-student-shares-tips-her-guide-studying-canada <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Stay connected, find community: International student shares tips from her guide to studying in Canada</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/tina-1-horz.jpg?h=da8a3191&amp;itok=wocdIRJk 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-09/tina-1-horz.jpg?h=da8a3191&amp;itok=L-A-i6Pn 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-09/tina-1-horz.jpg?h=da8a3191&amp;itok=-u8KHQi1 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/tina-1-horz.jpg?h=da8a3191&amp;itok=wocdIRJk" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>davidlee</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-09T11:29:23-04:00" title="Monday, September 9, 2024 - 11:29" class="datetime">Mon, 09/09/2024 - 11:29</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Ngọc Anh Thư (Tina) Huỳnh, a U of T Pearson scholar from Vietnam, wrote a Vietnamese-language guide for international students studying in Canada&nbsp;(supplied image)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/adina-bresge" hreflang="en">Adina Bresge</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/lester-b-pearson-international-scholarship" hreflang="en">Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-commerce" hreflang="en">Rotman Commerce</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-michael-s-college" hreflang="en">St. Michael's College</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">“That's the great thing about being an international student in Canada ... Everyone is friendly. You can just reach out to anyone for help”</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Unlike many first-year international students at the ؿζSM,&nbsp;<strong>Ngọc Anh Thư (Tina) Huỳnh</strong>&nbsp;already has plenty of experience living and studying in Canada – and the inevitable cultural shock that can come along with it.&nbsp;</p> <p>She even wrote a book on it.</p> <p>A Vietnamese student who has been attending school in Ontario since Grade 8, Huỳnh has cultivated the cultural fluency, study habits and – it must be said – winter survival tactics needed to thrive in Canadian classrooms.</p> <p>After writing a guide for other Vietnamese students, she’s been helping her fellow&nbsp;Lester B. Pearson International Scholars&nbsp;adjust to life in Canada by sharing tips in a group chat on everything from what to pack to navigating the airport.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/2024-09/cam-nang-du-hoc-crop.jpg" width="300" height="466" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> </div> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> <p>“It kind of reminds me of when I first came to Canada, because I had the same feeling – I was really nervous,” says Huỳnh, who is studying at Rotman Commerce in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science as a member of St. Michael’s College.</p> <p>Born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Huỳnh moved to Canada at age 13, starting her studies in Windsor, Ont. with a Vietnamese host family and later continuing her education at a school in nearby London, where she lived in residence.</p> <p>Far away from her family and the familiarity of home, Huỳnh says she had to learn how to be independent. But she soon discovered that connecting with others eased the transition.</p> <p>“What I found helpful was to find a community,” she says. “It could be a group of friends – maybe from your old country, or just someone you meet [here] ... You need someone by your side.”</p> <p>She also discovered that Canadians were eager to make newcomers feel at home.</p> <p>“That's the great thing about being an international student in Canada,” says Huỳnh. “Everyone is friendly. You can just reach out to anyone for help.”</p> <p>A polyglot with fluency in Mandarin, Korean, Spanish and French in addition to Vietnamese and English, Huỳnh says she is quick to pick up new languages, but it still took her a while to get the hang of Canadian slang. For example, she recalls scratching her head when a Tim Hortons cashier threw around strange words like “loonie” and “toonie.”</p> <p>“I was actually really confident with my English. But then it was destroyed because … communication styles were so different,” she says, encouraging international students to not be deterred by initial language barriers.</p> <p>When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, Huỳnh responded by building international connections through business. She founded an online venture to retail Korean merchandise to customers in the United States and Canada, which later expanded to serve more than 10 countries globally.</p> <p>“It was really hard to purchase face masks or any medical supplies, so I thought of starting my business as a way to earn profits to support people during that time.”</p> <p>The experience, while challenging, proved rewarding, with Huỳnh eventually donating a portion of her earnings to those in need.</p> <p>In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Huỳnh began to consider how her journey could benefit others. With a deep love for writing, she drew on her notebooks to organize her thoughts on navigating culture shock, adapting to new learning environments and finding community.</p> <p>Huỳnh’s insights formed the basis of her published book:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fahasa.com/cam-nang-du-hoc-canada.html?zarsrc=31&amp;utm_source=zalo&amp;utm_medium=zalo&amp;utm_campaign=zalo&amp;gidzl=Kq8XIEUkdIHNMITCvRMOAbrOAqFpjP5v4GaYGlJfaIf7L2j5zhl3A1DRVKQciSCl40jmI3c0sOjVuAcO8W" target="_blank">Cẩm Nang Du Học Canada</a>&nbsp;(A Complete Guide to Studying in Canada).</p> <p>“I figured it may be a good idea to share all of my knowledge and understanding from my experience with high school students and their parents who are looking for this information.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/tina-2-crop_0.jpg?itok=EICieYSE" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Huỳnh founded an online venture to sell Korean merchandise to customers in the U.S. and Canada, which later expanded to serve more than 10 countries&nbsp;(supplied image)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>As a Pearson Scholar, Huỳnh is now hoping to build more connections and share her experiences as part of a global community of future leaders.</p> <p>“I've already connected with a lot of amazing people – a lot of amazing students, alumni, even professors,” Huỳnh says. “The Pearson community is so supportive.”</p> <hr> <h3>Here are some of Huỳnh’s tips for international students arriving in Canada:</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Stay connected to home</strong>: “Stay connected with your family and friends, because maybe you don't notice how much you miss them when they're right next to you. But when you're away from them – especially like for me, half the Earth away – it's really nice to talk to your parents, talk to your siblings, your friends, and just share your life.”</li> <li><strong>Find comfort in food</strong>: “For homesickness, one of the most healing ways, at least for me, is through food. And I think for Toronto, at least, I don't think people have to worry too much about having difficulties finding restaurants for their own culture.”</li> <li><strong>Dress smart for winter</strong>: “My advice would be to stick to thermal clothing – those are just very thin and cling close to your body. When I tell people about that, they’re surprised because thermal clothes are so thin compared to puffy layers of jackets. But trust me, they’ll keep you warmer."\</li> <li><strong>Take notes in class</strong>: “I know that in a lot of countries, especially Asian countries, people are probably used to teachers outlining everything. But it’s different in Canada … Professors can go really fast in lectures, so scribbling some notes – even if you have ugly handwriting – is a great way to learn and revise for exams.”</li> <li><strong>Embrace Canadian culture</strong>: “If you’re walking on the street, and a stranger says, ‘Hi’ – don’t freak out. They’re just being nice!”</li> </ul> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:29:23 +0000 davidlee 309347 at In photos: U of T campuses spring to life as students move into residence, head to first day of class /news/photos-u-t-campuses-spring-life-students-move-residence-head-first-day-class <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In photos: U of T campuses spring to life as students move into residence, head to first day of class</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-7_Jacob-Domingo-Chan-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=JX71xKbg 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-7_Jacob-Domingo-Chan-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=mFAge0WI 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-7_Jacob-Domingo-Chan-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=kO9z9E3j 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-7_Jacob-Domingo-Chan-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=JX71xKbg" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-03T09:00:15-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 3, 2024 - 09:00" class="datetime">Tue, 09/03/2024 - 09:00</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Jacob Domingo Chan, third from left, was among many first-year students who received a helping hand as they moved into residences on U of T's three campuses ahead of the new school year (photo by Polina Teif)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/trinity-college" hreflang="en">Trinity College</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">U of T Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/university-college" hreflang="en">University College</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The ؿζSM’s three campuses are abuzz with excitement as students from the Toronto region, across Canada and around the world kicked off a new school year.</p> <p>The fall 2024 semester marked the first time that students on the St. George campus, U of T Scarborough and U of T Mississauga had their first day of classes on the same day, Sept. 3 – part of an effort to align key academic dates across the university.&nbsp;</p> <p>AskMe Anything volunteers were also out in full force to offer tips and guidance, especially to the thousands of first-year students navigating the first day of their post-secondary education.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">U of T President <strong>Meric Gertler </strong>welcomed new and returning students, as well as faculty, staff and librarians, in a <a href="/news/your-gateway-world-president-meric-gertler-welcomes-u-t-community-fall-term">video message</a> released last week.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“[U of T] is an exciting place to be, and this is an exciting time to be a part of it,” he said.</p> <p>Photographers were on hand across all three campuses in recent days to capture the sights – and energy – of a new academic year:</p> <hr> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-03-First-Day-Campus-Shots-%2824%29-crop.jpg?itok=TnwFA9MM" width="750" height="500" alt="First day of fall semester at U of T St. George " class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Welcome signs wrap U of T’s main gates on the St. George campus&nbsp;as students make their way to and from classes on the first day of a new school year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/0830UTM009-crop.jpg?itok=X-9ZjuPE" width="750" height="500" alt="Students move into U of T Mississauga residences" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The weeks leading up to the first day of school featured plenty of enthusiasm as students and their families carted belongings into residences at U of T Mississauga.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-2-crop.jpg?itok=jCyOmMLF" width="750" height="500" alt="University College volunteers at residence move-in" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>At St. George, volunteers and residence staff were on hand to provide a warm welcome, refreshments and help hoisting bins and boxes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-4_Cassidy-Smith-crop.jpg?itok=5JVCAM0_" width="750" height="500" alt="University College first-year student Cassidy Smith and her mother" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>“I was nervous at first, but everyone’s been so welcoming,” said University College student <strong>Cassidy Smith</strong>, who posed for an Aug. 25 photo with her mother as she moved into her dorm.</p> <p>“There’s such a good energy around the place and I can feel that this is going to be like a second home to me."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/TER01491-crop.jpg?itok=o8KohKDO" width="750" height="500" alt="U of T Scarborough students move into residence" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Terrence Tong)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>At U of T Scarborough, luggage carts – and several volunteers – helped ferry students’ belongings between the parking lot and residence buildings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-08-26-Move-in-day-19_Gabriella-Baichwal-crop.jpg?itok=nOFByAsF" width="750" height="500" alt="Trinity College student Gabriella Baichwal with her parents" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Gabriella Baichwal</strong>, who was born in Toronto and grew up in Chicago, joked that she “brought way too much stuff” to fill up her single room in Trinity College on the St. George campus.</p> <p>“I brought all my clothes, a mini-fridge and all of this stuff, and I feel like a spoiled brat. But that’s OK – you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do,” said Baichwal, as her parents helped unload items from their vehicle’s roof.</p> <p>Her father,&nbsp;<strong>Ravi Baichwal</strong>,&nbsp;whose own father went to grad school at U of T in the 1960s after moving from India, said he was “incredibly proud” of his daughter for following in her grandfather’s footsteps.</p> <p>“I have that incredible pit of anxiety and hope all mixed up into one,” he said.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-08-30-Cheer-off-Clubs-Day_Polina-Teif-23-crop.jpg?itok=4RsZ-tVT" width="750" height="500" alt="Cheer-off on Front Campus" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>There were plenty of opportunities for students to meet new friends, showcase their school spirit and learn about extra-curricular opportunities at the tri-campus cheer-off event and clubs carnival held on the St. George campus ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-08-30-Cheer-off-Clubs-Day_Polina-Teif-49-crop.jpg?itok=-zXQ-dLt" width="750" height="500" alt="Clubs carnival on Front Campus" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p class="MsoNormal">More than 300 U of T clubs were present at the clubs carnival, an annual event organized by the U of T Students' Union. There is also a <a href="https://utm-orientation-2024.attendease.com/attendease/networking/experience/ddb70d19-f47a-45c8-be82-686d057b7ff1/8d9eaaf5-9049-427d-a54d-3fa894648ae5">Student Groups Fair</a> on Sept. 5 and 6 at U of T Mississauga, and a <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/orientation/#15">UTSC Clubs Fair</a> at U of T Scarborough on Sept. 23.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/0830UTM015-crop.jpg?itok=J0RpkMrV" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Orientation programs at U of T Mississauga included a painting activity that invited students to harness their creativity.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/TER01515-crop.jpg?itok=IQYYNQmH" width="750" height="500" alt="U of T Scarborough student moves into residence" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Terrence Tong)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p class="MsoNormal">It was all smiles at U of T Scarborough as students, friends and family settled in for the fall term.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:00:15 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 309216 at 'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term /news/your-gateway-world-president-meric-gertler-welcomes-u-t-community-fall-term <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-29T11:43:38-04:00" title="Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 11:43" class="datetime">Thu, 08/29/2024 - 11:43</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-youtube field--type-youtube field--label-hidden field__item"><figure class="youtube-container"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0NdPhU1-zeA?wmode=opaque" width="450" height="315" id="youtube-field-player" class="youtube-field-player" title="Embedded video for 'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term" aria-label="Embedded video for &amp;#039;Your gateway to the world&amp;#039;: President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term: https://www.youtube.com/embed/0NdPhU1-zeA?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </figure> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">U of T Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>As the ؿζSM prepares to kick off a new school year, President&nbsp;<strong>Meric&nbsp;Gertler</strong>&nbsp;is extending a warm welcome to new and returning students, faculty, staff and librarians across the university’s three campuses.</p> <p>“Each of you brings unique talents, perspectives and dreams – and each of you&nbsp;has a place in our academic community,” he said in a video released today. “Together, we're expanding the boundaries of knowledge in every field, challenging ourselves and each other in the adventure of learning, discovery and innovation.”</p> <p>President Gertler called U of T “your gateway to the world,” highlighting its diverse community and wide range of international opportunities.</p> <p>“It's an exciting place to be, and this is an exciting time to be part of it. Thank you all for joining us. I wish you all the best in the year to come.”</p> <h3><a href="/utogether">Learn more at UTogether</a></h3> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:43:38 +0000 mattimar 309142 at Food for thought: First-year student campaigned for more nutritious, affordable meals in Niagara schools /news/food-thought-first-year-student-campaigned-more-nutritious-affordable-meals-niagara-schools <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Food for thought: First-year student campaigned for more nutritious, affordable meals in Niagara schools</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/Graduation-crop.jpg?h=6240ddb9&amp;itok=XeOVvauv 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-08/Graduation-crop.jpg?h=6240ddb9&amp;itok=V0c-fXBY 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-08/Graduation-crop.jpg?h=6240ddb9&amp;itok=bcOB_f1w 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/Graduation-crop.jpg?h=6240ddb9&amp;itok=XeOVvauv" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-28T10:29:41-04:00" title="Wednesday, August 28, 2024 - 10:29" class="datetime">Wed, 08/28/2024 - 10:29</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Julianna Marcel, who graduated from Greater Fort Erie Secondary School in Fort Erie, Ont., will be studying at Rotman Commerce this fall&nbsp;(photo courtesy of Julianna Marcel)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-commerce" hreflang="en">Rotman Commerce</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/victoria-college" hreflang="en">Victoria College</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">As a high school student and Niagara Region school board trustee, Julianna Marcel led a successful effort to overhaul school cafeteria meals and secure funding for culinary education</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Julianna Marcel</strong> was in Grade 10 when a teacher pulled her out of science class and asked if she’d be interested in joining the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN)’s student trustee senate.</p> <p>“I said yes, despite not knowing what it was,” says Marcel of the group that serves as a bridge between the school board and student body.</p> <p>It would prove to be a fateful decision for both Marcel and the school board.</p> <p>Later elected to one of three student positions on the DSBN’s board of trustees, Marcel went&nbsp;on to lead a successful campaign to overhaul school cafeteria menus to make them more nutritious and affordable. The effort also helped secure funding for culinary education.</p> <p>“It ended up being one of the most transformative experiences of my life, connecting me deeply with both the student body and the educational community," Marcel says.</p> <p>Marcel, who will begin a bachelor of commerce degree at the ؿζSM this fall,&nbsp;decided to act when a survey revealed a significant demand for healthier, more affordable meal options.</p> <p>“Students expressed concerns about the high cost and low quality of their food, which I found unacceptable,” she says. “I recognized the need for change and saw an opportunity to advocate for healthier food in schools while better supporting our students.”&nbsp;</p> <p>As she attended Greater Fort Erie Secondary School in Fort Erie, Ont., Marcel educated herself on food services policy and finance and carried out research on the impact of nutrition on academic performance and student success.&nbsp;</p> <p>With her adviser’s encouragement, Marcel shared her findings in a letter to the president of DSBN’s food service provider. A series of meetings followed and, ultimately, a revamp of cafeteria menus.</p> <p>Next, Marcel turned her attention to campaigning for more resources for culinary education. This led to the DSBN allocating $500,000 in its 2023-24 budget to expand culinary education.</p> <p>Marcel's contributions were recognized with an <a href="https://www.opsba.org/2024-ontario-public-student-trustee-leadership-scholarship/">Ontario Public Student Trustee Leadership Scholarship</a>, jointly awarded by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Public Board Council of OSTA-AECO. The&nbsp;award citation noted that her work benefited some 37,500 students.</p> <p>She's&nbsp;keen to highlight that the positive outcomes were the result of collective effort.</p> <p>“I wouldn’t say that these changes are my accomplishments. They are a testament to what we can achieve when we listen to and involve students in decision-making processes,” she says.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/Speaking%20-%20OSTA.jpg?itok=HxQy78eD" width="750" height="502" alt="Julianna Marcel " class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>The&nbsp;<em>advocacy work led by Marcel benefited more than 37,000 students (photo courtesy of Julianna Marcel)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In addition to her trustee responsibilities and keeping up her grades, Marcel also made sure to carefully consider her post-secondary options. She participated in the U of T Faculty of Law’s <a href="https://www.opsba.org/2024-ontario-public-student-trustee-leadership-scholarship/">youth summer programs</a> in 2022 and 2023 –&nbsp;experiences that she says inspired her long-term ambition to attend law school at U of T and become a technology and corporate lawyer.</p> <p>She says she is drawn to U of T’s vast array of resources and supports – and the diversity of its community.&nbsp;</p> <p>“When I was picking between schools, I really did a deep delve into my top few choices and the ؿζSM has the most academic, extracurricular and career supports of any school that I researched,” says Marcel, who&nbsp;will pursue a specialist in finance and economics at Rotman Commerce as member of Victoria College.</p> <p>“Coming to Toronto, I’m so excited to get to know everyone, learn more about the people and communities around me and meet so many international students.”</p> <p>She intends to use her undergraduate years to enrich her understanding of how economics can be used to address societal problems.&nbsp;</p> <p>“I’m drawn to economics because it offers a powerful framework for analyzing the challenges we face in society,” Marcel says. “Whether it’s understanding the causes of economic inequality or exploring the impacts of globalization or designing policies for sustainable growth, I believe economics provides the tools to critically access and influence the world around us.”</p> <p>Marcel also plans to make time for her many hobbies while at university: she plays five musical instruments, enjoys soccer and basketball, and loves writing.</p> <p>She hopes to start a tutoring business that engages U of T students in assisting high school and elementary learners, and wants to get involved in student groups at Rotman Commerce – particularly the <a href="https://www.rclawassociation.com" target="_blank">Law Association</a>, <a href="https://rcfintech.ca" target="_blank">FinTech Association</a> and <a href="https://www.rcwib.net" target="_blank">Women in Business</a> group.</p> <p>"My ultimate goal is to support my community in every way that I can – not just in my first year but throughout my life," she says.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:29:41 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 309084 at Back-to-school 2024: 6 things every U of T student should know /news/back-school-2024-6-things-every-u-t-student-should-know <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Back-to-school 2024: 6 things every U of T student should know</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/UofT89751_0W7A1485-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=STZfEbZ3 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-08/UofT89751_0W7A1485-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=Y-dOea1a 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-08/UofT89751_0W7A1485-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=eX4kQ9jT 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/UofT89751_0W7A1485-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=STZfEbZ3" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-21T12:37:14-04:00" title="Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 12:37" class="datetime">Wed, 08/21/2024 - 12:37</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>U of T's ASKme Anything booths are a great resource for help and information on all three campuses (photo by David Lee)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">U of T Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/clubs" hreflang="en">Clubs</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/current-students" hreflang="en">Current Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/mental-health" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/new-students" hreflang="en">New Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">U of T Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>There’s always more to discover at the ؿζSM – whether you’re setting foot on <a href="/news/which-u-t-campus-best-you-quick-look-what-makes-each-one-unique" target="_blank">one of its three campuses</a> for the first time or have been here for years.</p> <p>With its diverse opportunities, expansive resources and vibrant community, there are nearly endless ways for students to make the most of their time at one of <a href="/news/u-t-ranked-second-among-north-american-public-universities-among-top-25-globally-qs-world" target="_blank">the world’s top universities</a>.</p> <p>The following list, though by no means exhaustive, is meant to serve as a starting point for those who are looking for tips on everything from answering basic questions to finding their community – and even starting their own company.</p> <h4>Navigating campus life&nbsp;</h4> <p><iframe allow="geolocation" height="650px" id="map_frame" scrolling="no" src="https://map.concept3d.com/?id=1809#!sbc/?fh/?sbt/locations" style="border:0px solid #fff; margin:0; padding:0;" title="ؿζSM" width="100%"></iframe></p> <p>Need help finding your way around? <a href="https://map.utoronto.ca/?id=1809#!ct/45469?s/" target="_blank">U of T’s&nbsp;tri-campus map tool</a>&nbsp;is a great resource when it comes to figuring out where to go – and don’t forget that most lectures start 10 minutes after the hour to make sure students have time to get where they need to be.</p> <h4>“Where do I get a…?”</h4> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/UofT89746_0W7A1459.jpg?itok=o-2ns3dl" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>U of T's ASKMe Anything ambassadors aim to build a warm and welcoming community for students on all three campuses (photo by David Lee)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Starting out at U of T can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming – and many students have a lot of questions.</p> <p>“How do I find out about orientation events and activities?”</p> <p>“What is a TCard and where do I get it?”</p> <p>“How much time is there to walk from class to class?”</p> <p>Fortunately, <a href="https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/service/askme-anything-pop-up-booths/" target="_blank">U of T’s ASKme Anything booths</a> and ambassadors are here to help. The initiative is all about building a warm and welcoming community for students on all three campuses.</p> <p>ASKme Anything booths will be operating on the St. George campus from Aug. 19 to Sept. 9 on weekdays, plus Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25. They will be conveniently located at the campus gate at King’s College Road and College Street, at St. George and Ursula Franklin Streets and near Sidney Smith Hall at St. George and Willcocks Streets.</p> <p>At U of T Mississauga, students are encouraged to visit the Hub Hello Desk in the <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/sas/about-us/student-services-hub" target="_blank">Student Services Hub</a> to have their questions answered and to connect with student services on campus. The desk is open from 9:30 to 5 p.m.</p> <p>At U of T Scarborough, ASKme Anything booths will be set up in Scarborough Circle, the lobby of the Sam Ibrahim Building, the front vestibule of the Instructional Centre and in the Bladen Wing hallway just outside of Tim Horton's from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14.</p> <p>There are also <a href="https://internationalexperience.utoronto.ca/international-student-services/resource-and-information-hub/upon-arrival" target="_blank">welcome booths</a>&nbsp;at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Terminals 1 and 3.</p> <h4>Finding your community</h4> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/0912ClubsFair017-crop.jpg?itok=7-McNEn9" width="750" height="500" alt="Students at UTM peruse the booths of various clubs during clubs day" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Students attend Clubs Day at the U of T Mississauga campus (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Diving into university life by <a href="/news/esports-k-pop-u-t-hosts-hundreds-community-oriented-clubs-and-student-groups" target="_blank">joining a club</a> provides the opportunity to learn new things, connect with others and enrich the student experience. From sports and the arts to social causes, there are hundreds of community-oriented clubs and student groups across the three campuses – meaning there’s literally something for everyone.</p> <p>Interested students should check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cZcrutGW-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D" target="_blank">Clubs Carnival</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8cZcrutGW-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"> on Aug. 30</a>&nbsp;at King’s College Circle on Front Campus. At U of T Mississauga, students are invited to the <a href="https://utm-orientation-2024.attendease.com/attendease/networking/experience/ddb70d19-f47a-45c8-be82-686d057b7ff1/8d9eaaf5-9049-427d-a54d-3fa894648ae5" target="_blank">Student Groups Fair</a> to find out more information on clubs on Sept. 5 and 6 outside the Communication, Culture and Technology Building.</p> <p>U of T Scarborough students will get to explore groups and clubs on campus on <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/orientation/#15" target="_blank">Sept. 23 at the UTSC Clubs Fair</a>. The location of the event has yet to be determined.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://sop.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">Student Organization Portal</a> is a great resource to discover campus groups and includes information on what each group does and how to go about joining it.</p> <h4>Explore U of T’s thriving startup scene</h4> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/download.jpg?itok=_LTtDmMB" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Exhibitors gather at the True Blue Expo during U of T Entrepreneurship Week</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">U of T Entrepreneurship</a> (UTE) is <a href="https://entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/event/acceleratorfest-2024/" target="_blank">hosting AcceleratorFest on Sept. 18</a> from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus.</p> <p>The event offers an opportunity for aspiring and established entrepreneurs – as well as those who are merely curious about what it takes to effectively create your own job while attending university – to explore the many resources, spaces and programs available to them across U of T’s tri-campus network.&nbsp;</p> <p>There will be representatives from more than a dozen campus accelerators, founders who turned their ideas into impactful businesses and a tour of ONRamp, UTE’s co-working and community spaced housed inside the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus.</p> <h4>Stay in the know with UTogether and connect with U of T on social media</h4> <p>There are many ways to connect with the U of T community and stay in the loop for events happening across the three campuses.</p> <p>The <a href="/utogether" target="_blank">UTogether web page</a> is a hub of information and helps connect students, faculty members, staff and librarians with important resources&nbsp;– such as <a href="/utogether/student-community#health-and-wellness">health and wellness supports</a> – as well as news and messages from U of T leadership.</p> <p>The <a href="/social-media-directory" target="_blank">social media directory</a> is useful for those looking to find and connect with the various university accounts on social media. Use keywords and filters to search or browse the listings. Below are the quick links to the main social media accounts on each campus.</p> <h6><strong>On Instagram</strong></h6> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/uoft/" target="_blank">@uoft</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/utsc/?hl=en" target="_blank">@utsc</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/uoftmississauga" target="_blank">@uoftmississauga</a></p> <p><strong>On TikTok</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@uoft" target="_blank">@UofT</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@utsc?lang=en" target="_blank">@UTSC</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@utm" target="_blank">@UTM</a></p> <h6><strong>On X/Twitter</strong></h6> <p><a href="https://x.com/uoft" target="_blank">@UofT</a></p> <p><a href="https://x.com/utsc" target="_blank">@UTSC</a></p> <p><a href="https://x.com/UTM" target="_blank">@UTM</a></p> <h6><strong>On Facebook</strong></h6> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/universitytoronto" target="_blank">ؿζSM</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UofTScarborough/" target="_blank">ؿζSM Scarborough (UTSC)&nbsp;</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UTMississauga" target="_blank">ؿζSM Mississauga</a></p> <h6><strong>On YouTube</strong></h6> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@uoft" target="_blank">ؿζSM</a></p> <h4>First day of classes (now the same across all three campuses)</h4> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/vlcsnap-2024-08-20-14h14m56s442.jpg?itok=Bq1YkPTW" width="750" height="500" alt="students walking around UTSC campus" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Students on the first day of classes at the U of T Scarborough campus (photo by Ruilin Yuan)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>So when does the fall term actually begin? For the first time, students on the St. George campus, U of T Scarborough and U of T Mississauga will begin on the same day: Sept. 3.</p> <p>The alignment follows a review that recommended standardizing critical dates such as the start and end of classes, exam periods, reading weeks and fee deadlines across the three campuses.</p> <p>The new, more co-ordinated approach is expected to provide a more streamlined and predictable academic experience for the university community.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:37:14 +0000 mattimar 309052 at Beyond true crime: First-year forensic science student brings vision of compassionate justice to U of T /news/beyond-true-crime-first-year-forensic-science-student-brings-vision-compassionate-justice-u-t <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Beyond true crime: First-year forensic science student brings vision of compassionate justice to U of T</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/Mapalo-Mushoriwa-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=z8KbaCM- 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-08/Mapalo-Mushoriwa-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=qb7JSz53 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-08/Mapalo-Mushoriwa-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=g2VBaZ3e 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/Mapalo-Mushoriwa-1-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=z8KbaCM-" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>bresgead</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-19T14:56:02-04:00" title="Monday, August 19, 2024 - 14:56" class="datetime">Mon, 08/19/2024 - 14:56</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Mapalo Mushoriwa, who will be studying at U of T Mississauga this fall, has previously&nbsp;investigated how varying concentrations of cadmium affect seed germination and the growth of wheat (supplied image)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/adina-bresge" hreflang="en">Adina Bresge</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">U of T Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">National Scholar Mapalo Mushoriwa is no stranger to scientific inquiry, having represented her home town of Swift Current, Sask. at the Canada-Wide Science Fair two years in a row</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Mapalo Mushoriwa</strong> wouldn’t exactly call herself a “true crime girl.” But she’s unafraid to explore the complexities of criminal psychology to advance her vision of compassionate justice.</p> <p>Mushoriwa, who starts her studies in forensic science at the ؿζSM Mississauga this fall, says her fascination stems from a high school essay on wrongful convictions, which prompted her to delve into the role of mental health in the criminal justice system.</p> <p>What she found was a prison system that often emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation, which she sees as essential to reducing recidivism and crime.</p> <p>At U of T Mississauga, Mushoriwa hopes to explore interventions that help inmates receive the comprehensive and compassionate care they need, benefiting both the individuals and society at large.</p> <p>“The way I see it, there are multiple layers to every story,” she says. “It takes a certain kind of person to be able to look at that individual, despite the terrible crimes they’ve committed, and then see a person, as well as hold them accountable for what they’ve done.”</p> <p>Mushoriwa is no stranger to scientific inquiry – especially where there is a social impact. She represented her hometown of Swift Current, Sask., at the Canada-Wide Science Fair two years in a row, <a href="https://www.swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/comp-science-standout-wins-bronze-at-national-science-fair">taking a senior bronze excellence award in May</a>.</p> <p>Her two-part experiment investigated how varying concentrations of cadmium, combined with different temperature conditions, could affect seed germination and the growth of wheat, a critical crop in her community of roughly 18,000.</p> <p>Mushoriwa says the findings were inconclusive, but a research lab is continuing the investigation, which she hopes will eventually yield valuable insights for local farmers.</p> <p>“It was a very close-to-home project,” Mushoriwa says, noting that while her family isn’t involved in farming, many in her tight-knit community are witnessing the effects of toxins on crop production firsthand.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/Mapalo-Mushoriwa-2-crop.jpg?itok=c_bBlOel" width="750" height="563" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Mapalo Mushoriwa&nbsp;hopes her science experiment, which has been picked up by a research lab, will eventually yield valuable insights for Swift Current’s local farmers&nbsp;(supplied image)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In addition to her forensic science studies at U of T, Mushoriwa hopes to explore her creative side with a minor in drama. She says she discovered a passion for the stage in high school, winning a <a href="https://www.chinooksd.ca/FeaturedStories/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=667#/=">regional award</a> for acting excellence for her lead role in <em>The Inexplicable Chaos Factor of Mia Gregory</em>, a play that tackles themes of mental health.</p> <p>“I got so immersed in that world and wanting to share that story that it was like this intense passion, where I sort of found a way to combine me and the character I was playing,” Mushoriwa says. “It was just an experience like no other.”</p> <p>It was one of many extracurriculars that kept Mushoriwa engaged in her community. In high school, she served as secretary of the student leadership council, led the grad committee and was captain of the soccer team. She is also an active member of her church’s youth group.</p> <p>Growing up, Mushoriwa says she dreamed of attending U of T. Now, she feels like she’s achieved her happy ending – and then some.</p> <p>Not only is she pursuing her passion at her top-choice university, but she’s also among a select group of recipients of the <a href="https://future.utoronto.ca/national-scholarship/">National Scholarship</a>, U of T’s most prestigious award for Canadian high school students entering the university.</p> <p>After losing her mother at age 12, Mushoriwa says her father devoted himself to giving her every opportunity. She says the scholarship – which covers tuition, incidental fees and residence costs for up to four years of study – feels like a shared reward for all the hard work and sacrifices they’ve made together.</p> <p>“I thought, well, isn’t that just perfect?” Mushoriwa says. “The school I wanted to go to since I was young, the exact degree [I was interested in] – I couldn’t ask for it any other way.”</p> <p>As eager as she is to start her journey at U of T Mississauga, Mushoriwa admits she has mixed feelings about moving away from her father and the tight-knit Swift Current community that has supported her every step of the way.</p> <p>“My father and I are basically inseparable, so it might be tough to be so far away,” she says. “What I’m excited about is the growth I’ll experience personally.</p> <p>“Maybe I’ll learn something new about myself.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:56:02 +0000 bresgead 309023 at First-year U of T student earned top marks in high school while taking care of her health, getting involved /news/first-year-u-t-student-earned-top-marks-high-school-while-taking-care-her-health-getting <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">First-year U of T student earned top marks in high school while taking care of her health, getting involved</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/IMG_8154-crop.jpg?h=d13dc086&amp;itok=kXndXGMD 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-08/IMG_8154-crop.jpg?h=d13dc086&amp;itok=pzMEkXcF 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-08/IMG_8154-crop.jpg?h=d13dc086&amp;itok=5aQ2VTJv 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-08/IMG_8154-crop.jpg?h=d13dc086&amp;itok=kXndXGMD" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-15T10:51:17-04:00" title="Thursday, August 15, 2024 - 10:51" class="datetime">Thu, 08/15/2024 - 10:51</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Toronto District School Board high school graduate Emma Brijlall Nakahara will pursue a double major in conservation and biodiversity and public policy, and a minor in creative writing, at U of T Scarborough this fall (photo by Alexa Battler)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/alexa-battler" hreflang="en">Alexa Battler</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">U of T Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Emma Brijlall Nakahara, who attended high school virtually and will join U of T Scarborough this fall, is one of three Toronto District School Board grads recognized for earning top grades this year</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Emma Brijlall Nakahara</strong>, who is set to begin studies at the ؿζSM this fall, earned&nbsp;one of the highest marks across all of Toronto’s public high schools this year.</p> <p>Nakahara graduated from the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) <a href="https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/vss" target="_blank">Virtual Secondary School </a>with an average of 99.7 per cent, making her <a href="https://www.tdsb.on.ca/home/ctl/Details/mid/43823/itemid/334" target="_blank">one of three graduates</a> recognized for earning top grades.&nbsp;</p> <p>She says she chose the online school in part due to challenges she experiences with low blood sugar that require her to eat frequently to stay focused – a condition that can be difficult to manage in a classroom.</p> <p>She is a big proponent of advocating for oneself when it comes to accessibility needs.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Even if it feels a bit weird sometimes, even if your needs are unconventional and people may not understand them, you still have to respect them and you deserve to get the accommodations that you need,” she says.&nbsp;</p> <p>When she starts at U of T Scarborough this fall, it’ll be the first time Nakahara has attended in-person classes since she was a child.</p> <p>Yet, despite never meeting her high school peers and teachers in person, she says she still felt connected to the school community thanks to being involved in extracurricular activities, including the school’s newsletter and yearbook, and tutoring other students.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/GoodCopy_EmbedEmma1.jpg?itok=P_Xk-ZTq" width="750" height="548" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Emma Brijlall Nakahara was interviewed by several news outlets as one of the TDSB’s top graduates&nbsp;(photo by Alexa Battler)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Outside school, she practices judo, enjoys writing poetry and crocheting, and has nurtured a lifelong love of the environment and conservation by volunteering with the <a href="https://highparknaturecentre.com" target="_blank">High Park Nature Centre</a>.&nbsp;She also volunteered at the Cedarbrae Branch of the Toronto Public Library in Scarborough, noting that reading is one of her biggest de-stressors –&nbsp;particularly the fantasy genre.&nbsp;</p> <p>“You have to be more purposeful when you’re in virtual school –&nbsp;about getting out there, communicating with your teachers, staying focused,” she says. “I like to get out and do stuff, so I don’t really think being online impacted my experience.”</p> <p>At U of T Scarborough,&nbsp;she will be part of a co-op program and pursuing a double major in&nbsp;conservation and biodiversity&nbsp;and&nbsp;public policy, as well as a minor in&nbsp;creative writing.&nbsp;</p> <p>She says she chose U of T Scarborough for several reasons: the option to take three programs and co-op, the convenience of being near her Scarborough home and the <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/indigenous-place-making/ma-moosh-ka-win-valley-trail">Ma Moosh Ka Win Valley Trail</a>, which has received awards for its accessibility features and is frequented by Nakahara’s family.&nbsp;</p> <p>Nakahara says she’s looking forward to the extra freedom that comes with being a university student –&nbsp;including the chance to explore whatever interests her academically.&nbsp;</p> <p>“In elementary school, I was maybe a little bored and that made it hard to do my schoolwork,” says Nakahara, who earned her best high school marks in courses such as environmental resource management, calculus and vectors, physics and chemistry. “I think I got higher marks in high school because I was interested in what I was doing.”</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-08/EmmaEmbed2.jpg?itok=K_V7zJ_2" width="750" height="501" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Emma Brijlall Nakahara and her fellow top graduates answered questions at a TDSB event&nbsp;(photo by Alexa Battler)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>While she felt pressure to maintain her high marks through Grade 12,&nbsp;she says she placed the stress upon herself and knows doing so can be unhealthy.</p> <p>“That wasn’t necessarily something I should have been doing,” she says. “I think sometimes people feel bad when they get low marks, and I felt bad when I lost marks. But school isn’t the only place where it matters to succeed. People can succeed in all areas of their life.”&nbsp;</p> <p>When asked for her best study tips at a ceremony honouring the TDSB’s top scholars, she told the audience of news outlets, teachers and family that everyone is different so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to excelling in school. In her case, she says she prioritized eating and broke her school day up by exercising – a habit she’s planning on keeping this fall on campus at the <a href="https://www.tpasc.ca">Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>“That really helped me stay energized for my schoolwork and made it so it didn’t feel like some endless task I had to do,” she says. “Taking breaks was important.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-add-new-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Add new story tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/back-school-2024" hreflang="en">Back to School 2024</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:51:17 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 309020 at