ISE Student Advisory Committee

Chayan

I am a second-year Master of Engineering (M.Eng) student in Materials Science at the University of Toronto, specializing in data analytics. As a queer international student, I have experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new environment while navigating the complexities of underrepresentation. These experiences have ignited a deep passion in me to advocate for a truly inclusive and supportive community. During my time as a CIE work-study student, I led multiple events that brought diverse voices together, reinforcing my belief in the power of community engagement.

Joining ISESAC is not just an opportunity but a responsibility I embrace wholeheartedly. I am committed to ensuring that the needs and perspectives of international students are heard and addressed. With my unique background and unwavering dedication, I am eager to contribute to initiatives that foster cultural exchange, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone in our community.

Dewi

Year and program study: 3rd year undergraduate Environmental Science and Human Geography with Focus in Planning 

As an international student, I know firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new country and university life. I realized the importance of support from my community which help me grow as a person and not feel isolated, this has motivated me to give back to the community. Joining the ISE Student Advisory Committee is an opportunity for me to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for other international students, just as others did for me. Through my experiences with campus community and TeamWork Global Classroom internship, I’ve developed a deep understanding of multicultural collaborations and the diverse needs of international students. I want to use this knowledge to contribute to the committee’s initiatives, ensuring that all students feel valued and empowered. Being a part of this committee is more than a role, it’s a way for me to make a meaningful impact and to help others navigate their own journeys with confidence. 

Doyin

Hi everyone, I’m Doyin, currently going into my 4^th year here at UofT studying cell and molecular biology.

Last year I was a International student experience ambassador at CIE and through this position, I was able to learn about more resources and help lots of international students by answering questions at the resource and information hub. This year I am excited to be coming back as a ISESAC member where I can work together with CIE to help be a voice of the students.

Dzhafar

My name is Dzhafar and I’m a 3rd-year international undergraduate student from Kazakhstan, double majoring in Public Policy and Economics.

Public service is essential for my inner fulfillment hence my aspiration of serving as an ISESAC member and my past experiences of tutor volunteering, being a member of the Library Student Advisory Committee and the Student Experience Reverse Mentorship Program.

Since I began my UofT journey in winter two years ago, I have a clear picture of how challenging it becomes to navigate UofT without attending the Orientation on top of coming from a different country. Thus, I’d like to bring a voice to international students who have less access to available guidance resources due to late arrival.

Furthermore, being a Jack.org Network Representative this year, I’d love to bring my expertise to foster a dialogue about how CIE might contribute towards making UofT mental health resources more culturally accessible.

Eugenia

Year and program of study: 4th-year undergraduate, Political Science Specialist and Ethics, Society and Law Major

As an international student, I have struggled to adapt to a new country, education system, and living somewhere that has a different language from my native one. Throughout my undergraduate at U of T, I have learned how to adjust to this new environment with the help of CIE services for international students. In my second year as a member of ISESAC, I hope to improve these services further and assist a variety of international students to improve their experience at U of T. By providing advice through ISESAC, I want to help international students so they feel supported and enjoy their experience to the full extent. After my amazing experience as part of ISESAC last year, I am excited to keep working collaboratively with a diverse group of students and target the top challenges facing international students at U of T. 

Ferdinand

I am a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering currently in my second year. As an international student from Nigeria, I faced unique challenges when I moved to Canada for my undergraduate studies. Adjusting to a new educational system and culture without a mentor was daunting, and I had to navigate many aspects of student life on my own. However, these challenges have shaped my resilience and adaptability, allowing me to grow both personally and academically.

I joined ISESAC because I am passionate about improving the experience of international students at U of T. Having faced many of the same challenges myself, I understand the importance of support networks and resources tailored to the unique needs of international students. My goal is to contribute to the development of programs and services that make the transition to life at U of T smoother and more enriching for all international students. Through my involvement with ISESAC, I hope to ensure that every international student feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Ghazal

Year and program of study: Final Year Graduate student in the Adult Education and Community Development program at OISE. 

Since arriving in Canada, I have been actively involved as a community volunteer, collaborating with various organizations. Throughout this period, I have developed a passion for assisting newcomers and realized the transformative power of these activities in promoting equity, justice, and inclusion. My support for international students began with volunteering at UofT’s orientation events. This experience was the cornerstone of my active involvement in the valuable programs and workshops organized by CIE. The opportunities at CIE helped me connect with the international community at UofT and gain insight into their unique challenges and aspirations. 

Furthermore, the compassionate staff at CIE inspired me to contemplate how I could help enhance international students’ experience. ISESAC offers the ideal platform to express my concerns, champion international students’ interests, and extend my support by identifying innovative programs and resources, suggesting improvements to facilities, and recommending enhanced student services. Through active engagement with ISESAC, I aim to create a positive impact and foster a stronger sense of community for international students at UofT. 

Harry

Hi everyone! My name is Harry Guan. I am a first-year MEd student in the Developmental Psychology and Education program at OISE. As an international student from China, I finished my undergraduate study at U of T, majoring in psychology and sociology.

I have attended the Summer Abroad program which operated by CIE and had a wonderful course related to contemporary Chinese society. At that time, I found that U of T has a diverse and conclusive environment, which international students play important roles to make contributions to the community. But when international students arrive in a new country for the first time, there are always unfamiliarity and concerns. In this case, joining ISESAC provides more opportunities for me to enhance both studying and living experiences for international students to study at U of T, as well as discussing how to let new coming international students integrate into the new lifestyle faster. I am looking forward to work together with ISESAC team in 2024-2025 academic year!

Hajung

I am Hajung (she/her), a second-year Master’s student in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development. With five years of experience in higher education, my work has primarily focused on program and curriculum evaluation. As I continue my studies in Canada, I am eager to apply my experience to contribute to opportunities that engage with the University of Toronto community.

As an international student, I understand that adapting to a new society can be a significant challenge, and I hope to support others who are on a similar journey. I am thoroughly enjoying Toronto’s multicultural society and especially love the beautiful summers here.

Marianthi

Year and program of study: 5th year of Ph.D. in Higher Education – specialization in Comparative, International & Development Education

As an international student from Greece, Marianthi came to Toronto to study at OISE/UofT after having received her Master’s from Germany and her Bachelor’s from the University of Athens, Greece. She has professional experience in the field of international education in Canada, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Greece.

Joining the ISESAC comes as a natural step for her, since she has already spent four years at UofT, while making use of the international student services and getting involved in several international student associations. Being curious about the state of international student engagement in Canada, she hopes to bring her experience from Europe into the conversation in a beneficial way.

Nanami

Hi! I’m Nanami from Japan!  Being an international student has brought its share of challenges, like dealing with language barriers, loneliness, financial concerns, and mental health issues. But it’s also been a time of personal growth, and I’ve had many positive experiences along the way, such as involving in cultural exchanges and building meaningful friendships with people from diverse backgrounds. Studying abroad should be an exciting and enriching experience, and it pains me to see others struggle with the same challenges I’ve faced.

As a member of ISESAC, I want to help create an environment where international students feel connected, supported, and empowered to make the most of their time at UofT, making our diverse community even stronger.

Tin Yuet (Tiffany)

I am Tin Yuet (Tiffany), a second-year MA (Language & Literacies Education) student in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at OISE. 

Being an international student from Hong Kong, studying at UofT has given me a lot of opportunities to meet with local and international peers to share the languages we speak, enjoy winter sports and take fitness classes together.  I also have had chances to share my faith and to network with fellow UofT students during meals. 

After gaining multilingual skills and multicultural knowledge through U of T and CIE’s services and events, I would like to contribute to the community by joining ISESAC.  I hope to represent international graduate students like me who are looking for places where we can make new connections and make our voices heard.  I would like to bring new voices in so that more international students’ needs can be heard and met.