Big city, big opportunities: Why I chose TMU
My name is Fatima, I am from Pakistan, but grew up in Dubai, UAE. I am currently in my final year of Chemical Engineering at TMU.
When my dad first brought up the idea of going to Canada for school, I was hesitant to leave the country I called home. But in my research of schools, I found a blog post about engineering student traditions in Canada. I read about students covering themselves in purple paint during orientation week, proudly wearing leather jackets and decorated overalls, and receiving iron rings at graduation. The idea of being a part of a new community valuing both tradition and innovation excited me.
Like Dubai, Toronto is a fast-paced and energetic city
I was used to living in a bustling metropolitan city and wanted to carry that essence wherever I moved. Attending school in the heart of downtown Toronto, I knew I would have direct access to international cuisine, my choice of companies to complete co-op at, and experience life in another big city. I was excited to step outside my bubble of familiar faces and streets and step into a new country that would challenge me but also help me learn, grow and become my own person.
Industry experience around a diverse campus
When I was deciding between schools, I knew I wanted to attend a university with not only a strong academic program but one that also allowed me to gain real-world experience before graduation. Looking at TMU I knew it was the perfect fit for me since it would allow me to be at a university with strong industry connections and be surrounded by diverse ethnicities, mirroring the environment I grew up in.
A Co-op program that stood out
One major factor for me picking TMU was my program and the mandatory co-op that’s part of it. Co-op meant that I would graduate with professional experience, which was a very attractive feature to me. Being from a country where most high school students do not hold part-time jobs or have any formal work experience, I knew this was something I wanted to have in university.
In my second year, I was paired with a faculty and peer advisor who helped me in my search for co-ops, they helped me create my resumes and cover letters, and even did mock interviews with me. For my placements, I got to work as a Research Assistant at two different TMU labs, one of which was funded by the Dean’s Research Fund-Undergraduate Research Experience (DRF-URE). I have also worked as an Engineering Intern at Henkel, and a Technical Trainee at the City of Toronto (pictured). These combined experiences have helped me grow both personally and professionally by putting myself outside of my comfort zone and making connections early on in my career. Looking back, I can confidently say that TMU’s co-op program played a huge role in preparing me for the future!
Support services that have helped me grow
With graduation right around the corner, I have been reflecting on my time at TMU, and have come to appreciate so much more about the university. My personal favorite is the strong support system TMU has for its students. Being an international student, support is often the thing you crave the most in a new country. But being here I have personally benefited from so many services that make you miss home a little less. Some of these include:
- Being a part of student clubs and organizations. From being president of a design team to organizing national conferences, I have held numerous student group positions in my tenure at TMU. These have not only helped me streamline my soft skills, but also create a community of like-minded people who I can turn to for support.
- Scholarship opportunities for international students. I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Salad King Award for Student Leadership and the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Scholarship. (Pictured: Me at the Dean’s Celebration for Excellence).
- Filing tax returns with International Student Support (ISS). Not something I had done before and having a student volunteer walk you through the steps is extremely reassuring.
Looking back on my undergraduate journey, choosing TMU was one of the best decisions I could have made. Over my five years I have gained an incredible education, work experience, a supportive community and a second home!
