As a first-year international student, Trent University Durham GTA’s residence has made my adjustment to university feel like a home away from home. 

When I enrolled in the Trent-Swansea law program, I chose to join the Durham campus because of its close-knit community feel. At Trent Durham, many of my classes are in the same building, with residence floors above, and classroom spaces below.  

This gives me the added benefit of rolling out of bed just before my classes start without having to worry about commuting, giving me more time to sleep, spend time with friends, have breakfast, or study. 

The ease of access to classes, my dorm, food services, and library services is essential to me as a first-year student. And as a student coming from Jamaica, I can also avoid a cold commute to class. 

Before coming to campus, I didn’t know anyone at the University, so living in residence made it easier to meet people and make new friends. Students living in residence grab breakfast, walk to class, organize study groups, and attend events together. For me, choosing residence was the easiest way to find friends and feel a part of the university experience. 

This close community has been especially helpful to me to be more involved on campus. I hold several positions at Trent Durham including being the co-president of Residence Council and am a member of the Housing Advisory Committee.  

By living in residence, students like me can connect with people from other cultures and start exciting initiatives that share more about our background. I recently started a new dance club with two other friends, and it was easy to spread the message around campus and attract new members with the Trent Durham community supporting my idea. The dance club offers a fusion of classes like Caribbean dancehall and soca, hip-hop, and afro beats/amapiano.  

Living in Trent Durham’s residence building has been a meaningful part of my educational journey because of the opportunity and community it's given me. I would highly recommend living on campus at Trent Durham to any new or returning student.  

In the future, I hope to become a residence don so I can help new students have a positive experience and integrate into the Trent Durham Community. 

Residence applications for Fall 2024 open on February 6. Learn more about the Trent Durham residence experience and start imagining your future here.