Read more details about Columbia International College on their 2025 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
What made CIC stand out to me was its Total Care Education System. At first, I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but over time, I came to appreciate how holistic it truly was. It wasn’t just about grades they focused on our mental health, our leadership skills, and helping us grow as individuals. The Living Learning Community in residence was especially impactful; it felt like everything we did from dorm life to academics was coordinated to support our personal development. That’s something I haven’t seen in many other schools.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
The best thing that happened to me at CIC was getting accepted to my dream university but more than that, I found confidence in myself. I arrived feeling unsure and homesick, but I left feeling ready. I learned how to manage my time, speak up for myself, and embrace diversity. If I could do anything differently, I would have asked for help sooner instead of trying to figure everything out on my own. My advice to new students: Take advantage of every opportunity. Step out of your comfort zone early.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
Looking back, I’m especially grateful for teachers like Ms. Foster and Mr. Singh, who encouraged me when I doubted myself. Their encouragement stayed with me even after I graduated. If I could change one thing, I would’ve reached out to teachers and advisors earlier instead of trying to figure things out alone — they really were there for us.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
What I liked most was how CIC gave us structure and freedom at the same time. You were cared for, but also trusted to grow. The support from residence staff, the teachers, and the advisors felt genuine. It wasn’t perfect, no school is but CIC really tried to prepare us not just for university, but for life.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Don’t sleep on the fries at the snack bar seriously. And if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, take a walk up to the fourth-floor study room in Pine Hall the view of the city at sunset is unreal. That was my go-to spot when I needed to think or just breathe. Also, get involved the more you give to CIC, the more you’ll get back.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
Academically, CIC gave me a solid foundation and not just to get into university, but to thrive there. One thing that stood out was how approachable and dedicated the teachers were. I still remember Ms. Foster’s English classes, she had a way of making literature feel relevant and alive, even when we were tackling tough texts. Mr. Singh, who taught math, was another standout; he had endless patience and always made time after class to go over extra problems with me when I was struggling. The guidance staff also helped me map out my university goals step by step. What I appreciated most was that the teachers didn’t treat us like just students cos they genuinely cared about how we were doing, inside and outside the classroom.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
CIC isn’t a traditional sports powerhouse, but there was still plenty of opportunity to stay active. I joined intramural basketball, and even though we weren’t chasing championships, the games brought our dorm floors together and helped me stay grounded. The emphasis wasn’t on winning, but on participating, which was a relief in a school environment that was otherwise quite focused on academic performance.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
Although I wasn’t heavily involved in the arts, I had friends who participated in school performances and art exhibitions, and their passion was contagious. The school encouraged student creativity from hallway art displays to music showcases in the atrium. I remember attending a winter music concert where one of my dormmates performed a solo violin piece it was moments like that where CIC felt more like a close-knit community than a big school.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
There was always something happening at CIC. From cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year and Diwali, to community service trips, there were countless ways to get involved. I especially appreciated how much the school encouraged volunteerism. Whether it was helping organize food drives or participating in the Columbia Community Cleanup initiative, these activities made me feel connected not just to CIC, but to the broader Hamilton community.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
Living in the dorms was my first time away from home, and I was nervous at first. But the Total Care staff were incredibly supportive. We had structured study hours, curfews, and even life skills sessions on things like budgeting and time management. What I liked most was how each floor felt like its own little family we celebrated birthdays, studied together, and helped each other out during stressful exam periods. Having a roommate from a different country also opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives. We had structured study hours, curfews, and even life skills sessions run by residence staff like Mr. Kevin, who somehow managed to be strict but also someone you could joke with. They weren’t just supervising us, they were mentoring us too.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
I have to give credit where it’s due, the food at CIC was actually pretty good! The cafeteria offered meals that catered to different cultures, and there was always a vegetarian option. I really appreciated the flexibility in the dining schedule, especially during exam periods when my appetite was all over the place. My favorite meal was probably chicken teriyaki night and I’m still dreaming of the warm chocolate chip cookies they had sometimes in the evenings.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
Hamilton may not be Toronto, but it has its own charm. I liked how walkable everything was. Jackson Square was close by, and we’d sometimes head there on weekends for bubble tea or a movie. The city has a lot of hidden gems like the waterfalls and trails that surround it. Plus, being close to McMaster University made it feel like we were already part of the wider post-secondary world.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
Despite everyone being from different countries, making friends at CIC wasn’t hard. The shared experience of being international students away from home brought us together. Weekend trips, dorm floor events, cultural nights, they all created opportunities to connect. I now have friends from over 10 different countries, and we still talk regularly. CIC didn’t just prepare me for university ,it gave me a global network of friendships I’ll always value.
Read more details about Columbia International College on their 2025 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Columbia International College Alumni #1
Class of 2019
5.00 7/11/2025
Carlton University's electrical engineering program
Class of 2019
5.00 7/11/2025
Carlton University's electrical engineering program
What made CIC stand out to me was its Total Care Education System. At first, I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but over time, I came to appreciate how holistic it truly was. It. . .
What made Columbia International College truly stand out to me was the Total Care Education System and I don’t say that lightly. As a student living thousands of miles from home, I always felt supported. . .
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