“A lot of residences can feel isolating... Renison is different, with small class sizes, a strong residence community, and staff that really want to help you succeed.”
By Andrew James Dixon, English Language Institute Student Advisor, Renison University College
When asked how he would describe Renison in one word, third-year Psychology and Social Development Studies student Zayyan Ali was quick to answer “community.” In fact, it was that unique sense of community that drew Zayyan to Renison in the first place when he began his undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo back in the fall of 2023. For Zayyan, Renison offered something beyond just a dorm room and a meal plan.
“A lot of residences can feel isolating,“ he explained. “The people there don’t really know each other. Renison is different, with small class sizes, a strong residence community, and staff that really want to help you succeed.”
That desire to help others extends to Zayyan himself, who has made serving people from a wide variety of backgrounds a driving force in his own life. Zayyan chalks up some of this desire to serve others to the example set by his mother, who works as a teacher in his hometown of Scarborough. Seeing his mother’s dedication to her students inspired Zayyan to take an active role as a student advocate in his high school and serve as a swim instructor for young children. In those roles, Zayyan had the opportunity to connect with people from a wide variety of cultures, helping him learn the importance of understanding and tolerance in the process.
At Renison, Zayyan has put his experience working with people from different cultures to good use in a variety of volunteer and paid student leadership positions. Zayyan first volunteered as an English Language Institute (ELI) Peer Helper during the January and February 2024 sessions of General English at Renison (GEAR). As an ELI Peer Helper, Zayyan joined GEAR students during classes and activities to help them practise English and learn about life in Canada. Zayyan would later return as a Peer Helper for the September 2024 session of GEAR, building connections with a group of students from Japan in the process.
In addition to socializing with the GEAR students at in-person events and activities, Zayyan would also message the students in the GEAR program’s chat group using the Japanese social media app LINE. Those experiences connecting with Japanese students and learning about their culture inspired Zayyan to take a trip to Tokyo over Reading Week this past February (2025). Zayyan shared his excitement about his upcoming visit to Japan with some of the past GEAR program students over LINE, which opened the door to an unplanned, but welcome, get-together.
Ryo, a student at Tokyo Metropolitan University, sent Zayyan a message over LINE to share his appreciation for a small but welcome act of kindness on Zayyan’s part while Ryo was studying in GEAR. Ryo shared how much he appreciated Zayyan buying him a frozen treat at Wendy’s during the GEAR students’ trip to Niagara Falls. Zayyan was pleasantly surprised to hear how much Ryo appreciated this small gesture. As Zayyan remarked, “Sometimes we don’t realize the impact we have on others. I thought buying Ryo a Frosty wasn’t a big deal, but he remembered that kindness and wanted to meet up with me while I was visiting Japan to show me around his hometown.”
Indeed, Ryo, along with two other former GEAR program students, Ebichan and Anna, helped Zayyan to feel welcome during his visit to Tokyo by taking him to popular tourist attractions, going shopping, and “just hanging out.” In many ways, Zayyan’s Japanese friends were reflecting that same Renison spirit of community he had shown them during their studies in Canada.
These days, Zayyan continues to make a big contribution to Renison. During the Winter 2025 term, Zayyan served in a paid position as an ELI Peer Leader. Zayyan enjoyed this new role, as it gave him a chance to build on many of the skills he had developed as a volunteer at Renison. While some students can find the additional responsibilities of this paid position to be a challenge, Zayyan felt the authority that comes with being a Peer Leader actually helped him when meeting new students and “breaking the ice.”
“I have struggled a bit in the past with starting conversations, but as a Peer Leader, I think it’s actually easier for me to initiate those social interactions because I’m leading the event and students are counting on me to provide instructions and guidance, which provides an opportunity for further conversation,” shared Zayyan.
This past winter term, Zayyan had the opportunity not only to connect with students in Renison’s academic English language programs, BASE and EFAS, but also with a new cohort of Japanese students during the February 2025 session of GEAR. For Zayyan, it is these invaluable opportunities for intercultural engagement that help Renison stand out in the wider University of Waterloo community.
When asked about his future aspirations, Zayyan noted his recent decision to pursue a minor in Legal Studies, as he is considering a future career in the legal profession. Policy formation, especially as it relates to university students with disabilities, is another area of keen interest for Zayyan.
Wherever his future leads, Zayyan is confident that his intercultural experiences at Renison will serve him well. “Whether it’s school or work, any past intercultural experiences you have had – such as making friends abroad or connecting with international students here – helps you better understand and engage with a variety of different people, which is important in a multicultural country like Canada,” Zayyan said.
We are pleased to share that Renison will continue to benefit from Zayyan’s dedication and enthusiasm for serving others when he returns as an ELI Peer Leader for the Fall 2025 term. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Zayyan for his service as a student leader and for the part he has played in welcoming others into the Renison community.
As an ELI Peer Helper, Zayyan joined GEAR students during classes and activities to help them practise English and learn about life in Canada
The friends Zayyan made in GEAR helped him to feel welcome during his trip to Tokyo by taking him to popular tourist attractions, going shopping, and just hanging out!
Zayyan and friends enjoyed Japanese food while in Japan.
2025 Renison Reports
This is part of the 2025 Renison Reports publication. Return to the Renison Reports page for other articles.