Malaysians in Mississauga.

      

       If you are still oblivious to the fact that University of Toronto comprises of three campuses, well now you know! And yes, Malaysian students do exist in the other two campuses, despite small in number and are often shy away from the spotlight. (go easy on us, okay? hehe). One of them is situated in Mississauga, just west of downtown Toronto. Some call it Sauga, others nickname it as The Row, but we here like to call it Missi. So, this time we’re going to see what’s it like to be a student at University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)!

1.       Small lectures are really a plus!

     Most of the lecture halls in UTM hold approximately 300 students or less and we find it as a huge advantage! It makes it easier to come up to the prof and ask questions during breaks or after class. This is the chance to get to know the prof and hopefully they would acknowledge your existence!  

2.       We get easily spotted on campus.

All of us here have had at least one person randomly claimed that they “always see you around campus”, which is usually responded with an awkward laugh. Due to the small-sized campus, we tend to bump into the same faces every day. However, I guess being a hijabi and having a “sawo matang” Pan-Asian look make us distinctly recognizable amongst the sea of other races and colour in UTM. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on what type of person you are. According to Nayli Farzana, it gives her a sense of belonging in the UTM community, where everyone knows each other. But for others… well, let’s just say that being easily recognized in public might not be at the top of the list!

3.       Discovering home close to nature’s heart.

Oh, yes, serenity and peace greets you in this suburban neighborhood of The Credit Woodlands. Even the name sounds like something you would’ve taken out of a Winnie the Pooh story book. As an aesthetic nature-lover, Sakinah Kamal finds herself right at home here in Mississauga. Unwinding session means a trip to the closest park and having picnics with friends. Not to mention that UTM is literally surrounded by forest and seeing a deer roaming around campus is pretty normal.

The mystical-looking bridge behind UTM campus.

4.       We got the best of both worlds (or cities).

Living in Mississauga does have its own share of downsides. Besides the usual trip to Square One, there is a lack of interesting things to do here. But fret not! UTM students are privileged with free bus rides to and fro downtown Toronto, where all the fun stuff happens! We get to experience the best of both cities!

The famous Marilyn Monroe building.

5.       Everyone seems nicer here. :)

Maybe it’s because of the friendly homey vibe that this town has; we make friends with the locals everywhere we go! Being one of the most diverse cities in Canada, you get to meet folks from all walks of life. And if you ask politely enough, they would just love to share their journey of making Canada their home.

       So there you go! A sneak peek on how it is here in Mississauga! Come pay us a visit sometimes or maybe consider taking up some classes here. You are more than welcomed!

All photos credit to Sakinah Kamal.