As an international student in Toronto, I love the multiculturalism here
Are you an international student considering Toronto as your post-secondary destination? Coming to a new and foreign city to pursue your studies is a big move, but if you ask me as a fourth-year TMU international student, I truly do think Toronto is a fantastic choice for us.
My family and I did as much research as we could before sending me on a plane here almost five years ago, and I haven’t wanted to leave since. This is Canada’s biggest metropolis, also known as the nation’s business, financial and cultural capital all at once!
Did you know that Toronto is recognized as the most multicultural city on the planet, according to a study by BBC Radio (external link) ? The city’s 2016 population census recorded that 52% of the population belonged to a visible minority group, featuring more than 200 different languages spoken. The top representatives can be seen in the charts below:
Even though my background and mother tongue aren’t close to the top of the list, I actually appreciate how being in Toronto has broadened my world view and introduced me to people from different cultures. This is a way of getting out of my comfort zone, which is also an important outcome to me when choosing to study abroad in times of globalization.
In fact, Toronto is home to a lot of different cultural enclaves. Some examples of notable ones include Chinatown and Koreatown just west of the downtown core — both of which are among the largest of their kind in North America. Even further west, there’s Little Poland and Little Tibet. Meanwhile, on the east, you can find Greektown and Gerrard Bazaar India/Pakistan. And if you travel up north of downtown, that’s where Little Jamaica is. The list (external link) goes on and on and constantly expands itself.
To sum up, diverse cultures are represented all over the city. Even when not concentrated together in one block, they exist in the form of independent mom-and-pop businesses such as food operations, specialty stores and media outlets.
From top to bottom, left to right: Chinatown – Koreatown – Little Poland-Greektown – Gerrard Bazaar India – Little Jamaica.
This level of multiculturalism also makes Toronto a heavenly global feast; you can easily find and sample delicious authentic food from a variety of cuisines in any corner! Despite the fact that I’m half the world away from my home country now, it warms my heart that I can still come across Vietnamese spots here that allow me to feel closer to my culture.
The World Food Market, conveniently located next to TMU campus, is Toronto’s one-stop shop for international street foods. (Credit: blogTO)
Speaking of TMU, we’re in the heart of the action in Toronto, accessible to a handful of cultural enclaves and also a lot of city landmarks. Some of our neighbours within walking distance include the City Hall, Queen’s Park, the Financial and Fashion districts, as well as the grand Eaton Centre for all shopping needs! Our campus is surrounded by it all: nature, history, entertainment, political activities and the business sector.
Illustrated: The bulk of our campus fits into one block in the centre of downtown Toronto.
What more can I say about Toronto before we part ways in this article? It’s a city rich with culture — a compact version of our world on its own. It’s also largely urban and modern, yet still bears testimony to time passed. It’s not perfect, but it’s been the ideal home away from home for me. So I hope it can be the same for you!