Studying at Renison University College has been an incredible journey filled with learning, growth, and community involvement. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed into a supportive and inclusive environment.
The first thing you may notice about Zainab is her huge smile, which is nearly constant as she travels through the halls of Renison day-to-day. She’s a student at Renison and during her time here has become a wonderful part of the community as a resident and Peer Leader.
Zainab first became part of the Renison community as she completed the English for Academic Success (EFAS) and Intensive Bridge to Academic Success in English (iBASE) programs. A Hazara girl from Afghanistan and the first girl in her family to study abroad, Zainab found in Renison an extremely welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. She is now thriving, living at Renison, and pursuing a degree in Arts and Business with a major in Economics.
During her time in the EFAS program, Zainab first began to get involved at Renison. It wasn’t long, though, before she became part of the English Language Institute (ELI) student leadership team. Since then, Zainab has continued to be deeply involved, volunteering at Renison events, attending workshops, and helping new students settle in. “Being a part of the community,” she says, “has allowed me to contribute to a positive and engaging campus experience.”
Currently a peer leader at Renison, Zainab says it has been “one of the most fulfilling aspects” of her university experience so far. She has acted as a mentor for fellow students, assisting them through academic challenges; helped them overcome homesickness and adjust to university life; helped to build their confidence and make them feel welcome. Her role as a peer leader, says Zainab, has given her “the opportunity to inspire others and make a meaningful impact”, which she feels grateful for.
Zainab has always enjoyed being involved, going beyond the Renison campus. Zainab also contributes to the local and international communities through her involvement with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a non-profit organization that operates around the world. Some of her work has included advocating for and supporting refugees, particularly in the area of access to education.
When asked about her favourite part of Renison, Zainab thought for a while before deciding on the diverse nature of the community. But, she hastened to add, it is hard to pick just one thing – to her, Renison is a “second home.”
Having learned and grown so much both professionally and personally in her time at Renison, Zainab is excited to see where her journey takes her. She would like to continue her refugee advocacy work, and one of her biggest dreams is to bring the rest of her family to Canada to live with her. In the future, she hopes to work in a field where she can meaningfully help people, and use her experiences in educational work and leadership to create positive change in society.
Zainab is grateful for the experiences she’s had and the friends she’s made, and hopes for much the same in the future. “I look forward,” she says, “to using everything I have learned to build a bright and successful future.”
As a Peer Leader, Zainab is available for student meet-ups. To reach out to Zainab - schedule a meet-up with her at uwaterloo.ca/renison-student-experience/meet-up