Residence

Living in residence gave me a unique opportunity to form a close-knit community within such a large university. It was where I built meaningful connections, shaped my identity as a Western student, and found support in both academic and social aspects of university life. My floor truly became my home, and the friendships and experiences I gained are ones I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Residence also provided a built-in support system that made the transition to university much smoother. Academically, it connected me with students in my program—we studied together, shared resources, and motivated each other to succeed. Socially, it gave me a platform to build strong friendships in what could have otherwise been an overwhelming environment.

In my first year, I quickly connected with four other girls on my floor. By late fall, we had already signed a lease together for an off-campus house. Now, nearing the end of our second year, we’re closer than ever and incredibly grateful that residence gave us the chance to meet and build such a strong friendship. It turned a large university into a smaller, supportive community and made my first year truly memorable.