Students reflect on finding belonging and friendship at TMU

At what moment did students feel like campus was where they belonged? What was their favourite memory? How about a time that reminded them of home? My fellow student ambassador Claire and I talked with a few students from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to learn about how they found themselves as they spent their time in this bustling city. We loved hearing about all that they had to say—check it out!

Jenna is a second-year Criminology student who said that, “Clubs were the biggest thing that helped me find myself here—especially clubs I resonated with like, race or ethnicity. I have a similar mindset to those [communities].” 

In her first year, she was a part of the Society of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (SASSH) (external link)  club. “My best friend is in the Black Business Students Association (BBSA) (external link, opens in new window) . I’m half Black, so going to those events with her allowed me to find community and connect with people outside of my academics.” Jenna said that whether it was sharing culture or special traditions, she found that many of her “East-African sisters” shared the same practices as her family at home—like making her own family here.

“There was an event where we repped our [national] flag, which was wholesome.” Jenna said that her friend is a New Media student at TMU, and had a visual project to complete. Due to this, Jenna and a few other friends joined her on this assignment about culture. “We were just dancing around listening to music. It didn’t even feel like we were at school, but in our own urban space,” she said.

As a fifth-year Accounting & Finance student at TMU, John said that joining clubs was a main part of finding who he is at TMU. “Because we’re a commuter school, it’s really hard building a community when everyone just wants to go home after class. So finding a club that you’re interested in is a really great way to start,” he said.

“I used to think that I was on my own at first since it was COVID during my first year at TMU. When I came back to campus in my second year, everyone already had friends and I didn't know how to navigate resources. What kind of changed for me was looking up resources and asking people how to do specific things.” 

John volunteers with the Toronto Metropolitan Students Union (TMSU) (external link, opens in new window)  and loves it because they focus on giving back to the student community. As a part of the Ted Rogers Students’ Society (TRSS) (external link, opens in new window) , he also enjoys the way they manage other student clubs on campus. “Those student clubs represent a variety of interests that the [business programs] offer. Whether you're in accounting or finance, you can find your niche since TMU will have a club for it.”

Eva is a third-year Business Management student, specializing in human resources. She said that she joined a few clubs and tried to go to the RAC as much as possible to meet new people. “I joined a few of the workout sessions, they also have courts there to play racquetball, so I do that,” she said.

She reflected on how she felt when she first came to TMU and said, “Obviously your first year is really nerve-racking, so I would interact with people as much as possible to make it worthwhile.” Now, Eva tries to connect with others who lift her up.

As a third-year Journalism student, Ayshat said that she’s had a lot of opportunities to express who she is through her work. One of these ways will be at the upcoming Tradition and Vogue (external link, opens in new window)  fashion show. “TMSU (external link, opens in new window)  is funding a cultural fashion show where everyone gets to show off their cultural clothing, and I'm participating by wearing my traditional [Chechen] clothing,” she said.

Speaking of traditions, Ayshat also looked back on her favourite memory on campus during Ramadan. “My friends and I ended our fast together after class. Everyone brought cultural food from home. My friends also got to taste Chechen food for the first time. All in all, we just sat on campus, ate a lot of food and celebrated a beautiful month,” she said.

Ayshat is excited for the Tradition and Vogue fashion show where there’ll be performances, foods from around the globe and a photo booth to take pictures with friends!

Angeline is a fourth-year Business Technology Management student at TMU. She said that her program has students with different interests as it covers many areas of business. With this, she found out what she likes by talking to students who study in these fields. 

After joining the Street Team (external link, opens in new window)  with the TRSS, Angeline discovered that she liked communicating with people and building relationships. “From that, I realized I wanted to go into project management,” she said.

Angeline followed by saying that she wouldn’t have been able to make the friends that she did if it weren’t for the clubs she joined.I’m so moved after talking with current TMU students about how they found themselves at TMU! It’s so comforting knowing that they have another place to call home. If you're planning to attend TMU next year, be sure to check out our how to apply page for your next steps!

Bye for now,

Hadiqah