Students have the option to register for one-on-one meet-ups in a virtual or in-person format.
What's a one-on-one meet-up?
Students studying in an English Language Institute program or graduates of our programs who are currently studying at the University of Waterloo have the opportunity to sign up for one-on-one meetings with members of our Student Experience team.
These meetings are usually 30 minutes in length, but can be customized for a shorter or longer time if needed.
During a one-on-one meet-up, we can chat about anything related to your personal and academic success. Some of the most common subjects that students talk about during a meet-up include:
- Study strategies, including textbook skim/scanning, notes reviews, test taking tips and dealing with test anxiety
- Time management help and helping you organize all of your assignments, tests, study time—and find time to attend events also!
- Questions about life at Waterloo and being a successful student
- Support with adjusting to life in Canada and the city of Waterloo
- Conversations about mental health wellness and how to build healthy strategies into your day-to-day schedule.
- English practice! Just meet with us and practice your conversational English. We can talk about anything you like!
Want a one-on-one meet-up?
To book a one-on-one meet-up, find the Student Experience team member on this page you would like to meet with. Click the "Register for a Meet-up" button under their name. This will take you to a website called Calendly where you can book a meeting time that works best for your schedule. A meeting reminder email will be sent to you that will confirm your meeting date, time, and location. If you booked a virtual meeting, the email will include a Zoom link.
Still not sure who is the best person you should meet with? Please email our Student Advisor A.J. and he will be happy to help!
Meet with A.J. Dixon (Student Advisor)
A.J. completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Victoria with bachelor's degrees in Education and Arts. As a Student Advisor, A.J. is here to support you in your academic journey. A.J. can help you with:
- Effective learning strategies and study habits for Canadian university life
- Time management strategies so you can keep track of tests, assignments, and appointments
- Preparing for tests and quizzes and reducing test anxiety
- University and college application assistance for those interested in Canadian post-secondary studies
- Conversation practice and sharing what he knows about Canadian history and culture
Meet with Thalia Criollo (iBASE Peer Leader)
Thalia Criollo is a fourth-year Honours Music Student at the University of Waterloo. When she arrived in Canada as in international student, Renison was her first home as a graduate of our BASE program. She appreciated the kind, welcoming and supportive environment that she experienced, and wants to give back so that others can have the same positive experience that she did!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Marcos Lomas (iBASE Peer Leader)
Marcos is a fourth-year Honours Mathematics student completing a joint program in Pure Mathematics and Combinatorics and Optimization at University of Waterloo. He has been a volunteer Peer Helper in the Renison English Language Institute since Spring 2022 and enjoys meting people from all around the world. Marcos looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience as an international student with the iBASE students this term!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Selena Zheng (iEFAS Peer Leader)
Selena Zheng is a second-year student in the Biomedical Science program at University of Waterloo. She moved to Canada when she was a child and as a result has a strong understanding of both Canadian and Chinese cultures and is fluent in both English and Mandarin. Selena is an out-of-province student from Alberta, and she looks forward to exploring Ontario with students this term!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Beryl Lee (iEFAS Peer Leader)
Beryl Lee is a third-year student in the Therapeutic Recreation program at University of Waterloo. As an international student herself, Beryl understands the challenge of being a newcomer and she wants to help students to navigate some of the challenges they may face. She hopes be part of building a strong sense of community where students can find comfort in knowing that others have had similar experiences and are there to support them!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Wallis Zeng (iEFAS Peer Leader)
Wallis Zeng is a fourth-year student in the Arts and Business program at University of Waterloo. As an international student herself, she understands how stressful it can be for students to adapt to a new cultural environment to study and live. Wallis has learned many valuable lessons and accumulated many tips that she looks forward to sharing with other students to help them maximize their experience in Canada!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Adam Janssen (iEFAS Peer Leader)
Adam Janssen is a second-year student in the Honours Science and Business program at University of Waterloo. Through living in residence at Renison, he has had the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with many international students and appreciates the sharing and learning that happens in these relationships. Adam looks forward to helping others to learn about and adapt to Canadian culture!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Annie Hatano-Wallace (ELI Program Assistant)
Annie is a second-year student in the Psychology program at University of Waterloo. Having lived in Japan and moved to Canada when she was younger, Annie knows what it is like to adapt to a new country. She looks forward to using her skills and experience to support other students with their transition to Canada and to University of Waterloo!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Safa Barlas (ELI Program Assistant)
Safa is a second-year student in the Arts and Business program at University of Waterloo. She is pursuing a career in Psychology as she is passionate about helping others and making a difference in their lives. Safa hopes that through her position as ELI Programs Assistant that she will be able to help to make the transition as easy as possible for international students!
- Helpful strategies to improve your conversational and professional language skills.
- Getting involved at the University of Waterloo and volunteering.
- Life in Canada and supports that Renison University College can provide.
- Tips to adjust to the university environment and how to maintain a busy workload as a Waterloo student
Meet with Alison McLaren (Student Experience Specialist)
Alison is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, where she worked for eight years before joining the Renison community! As our Student Experience Specialist, Alison’s main priority is to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students where they have opportunities to grow both personally and academically. She is always happy to talk about her dog, Dudley, but you can also connect with her for:
- Mental health wellness and strategies to improve your well-being as a university student, including managing anxiety
- Conversation practice and language skills; Alison worked for a not-for-profit organization supporting English language learner (ELL) students for four years and is a certified Ontario teacher!
- How to get involved and make the most of your student experience at Renison
- Information about living in Waterloo region including recommendations of places to visit and things to see
Meet with Ryan Connell (Assistant Director, Student Experience and Housing)
Ryan is a proud graduate from the Social Development Studies program at the University of Waterloo. As your Assistant Director, Housing & Student Life, Ryan is very knowledgeable about all of the campus services and resources available to University of Waterloo students. Some of Ryan's most popular things to talk about include:
- All of the campus services available to you as a Waterloo student and what you are able to access to support your academic and personal success
- Mental health wellness and strategies to improve your well-being as a university student
- Advice for studying in an online environment. Fun fact: Ryan completed his UWaterloo degree, two college certificates, and a Masters degree completely online
- Tips for adjusting to Canadian culture and building your language skills outside of the classroom
Meet with Stefany Kraft (Student Experience Coordinator)
Stefany Kraft is the queen of all things Renison! Stefany is a proud graduate from UWaterloo, where she double majored in Peace and Conflict Studies and Renison's Social Development Studies program. Stefany also completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Renison, where she completed her practicum in our Student Experience & Housing department as a Wellness Coordinator. During her undergraduate degree, Stefany worked as an English Language Institute Peer Leader, and volunteered extensively, including with Renison Academic Student Council (RASC) and as the student representative for Renison's Board of Governors. Stefany is here to help students have a phenomenal Renison experience. You can connect with Stefany to talk about:
- Mental health wellness and strategies to improve your well-being as a university student, including managing stress
- Guidance to student services at the University of Waterloo and what resources are available as a Waterloo student
- How to get involved and make the most of your student experience at Renison
- Conversation practice and learning more about life in Canada
Meet with Reverend Scott McLeod (Chaplain)
- Mental health wellness and strategies to improve your well-being as a university student, including managing stress.
- Guidance to student services at the University of Waterloo as well as referrals to professional medical and health services in the local community.
- Spiritual care including acting as a spiritual director, helping students with faith questions, and valuing our spiritual lives.
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Pastoral care including being a listening ear, a safe person to talk to, and supporting people as they live through life's struggles.