Innis Inspirations

Going through my first year at U of T as an international student was challenging but also a blessed journey for me. Although being in Toronto previously for three years of high school helped me improve my English, getting connected to a large campus like U of T was not easy.

I remember being alone, confused and scared when I just came to UofT during the Orientation Week. Everything was so new; it was quite difficult for me to talk to new people, not to mention making friends. I was self-conscious, and I wasn’t sure how to truly embrace myself and walk out of my comfort zone to connect to others.

But at the same time, I was very fortunate. Being on residence gives me a much slow-pace environment to get comfortable with the university, and being in the Innis community allows me to meet many amazing people and many became my close friends who support me over the years or mentors who taught me many valuable lessons. Sometimes I wonder, if it were not for Innis community, I would never be able to get out of my comfort zone and see my potentials.

At the end of my first year, I was lucky enough to be selected to be one of the executives for Orientation Week 2018, that’s when I started to realize that I needed to put myself out there and do something for others. From being an IT help at the Innis College to serving as the first International Students’ Representative on the ICSS, I was able to contribute wholeheartedly to the community.

Truth be told, it’s never easy to survive in a competitive university especially as an international student. With the lack of diverse events, low attention from student groups and nobody to relate to, I was often frustrated that the international students are not getting the university experiences that they deserve. Our voices deserve to be heard and this is the time where I could make a change as a member in the Innis College community.

I want to advocate for international students’ rights as they make up a big portion of Innis population, I want to be their voices. As someone who connects to both “worlds”, I think that domestic students and international students need to understand each other and care for each other. Let’s all grow together as a community and care for each other as a family.

A few days ago I received an email regarding a review for a chemistry professor’s promotion. To my surprise, I had no recollection of this man. Just six months after graduation, I was amazed at how much I had forgotten about my time at UofT.
But if you asked me what I remember, I can tell you every single thing about the friends I made in the Innis community: their names, their faces, their major and where they’re heading next. I remember the boat cruise and medieval times during frosh like it was yesterday. I remember skiing in blue mountain and almost leaving someone there.
Innis is a home for me on a huge campus where I never thought I’d find my place. Serving as the Athletics director on the ICSS, I felt very invested in the position. The choices I made and the events I planned directly affected the friends and people that were precious to me. To me, Innis is a time, a place and a group of people I will never forget.

"Moving from high school to post seconary can be scary but there are so many great things that come out of taking that first step. Making new friends, enjoying new experiences, learning about yourself, others and an array of different topics are explored when starting this new chapter! These are all things you will get to do over the next few years and we have made it our goal to make your journey start the moment you walk through the doors of Innis. For us, orientation has been the place where we have built a community, laughed, sweat and most importantly had fun. If we can create the same for you, then we know our job was a success. Innis College Orientation 2018 focuses on being a diverse community committed to building enthusiasm, creating relationships and empowering students to redefine the University of Toronto. Let's redefine it together! "