Columbia International College - Review #12

When I think about CIC, the first words that come to mind are growth and independence. Coming to Canada at 16, I had to adjust quickly to a completely new country, language, and culture. CIC gave me the structure and support to do that while also giving me the freedom to discover who I am. Unlike other schools, CIC is very intentional about preparing students for university and adulthood, whether it’s learning how to manage your own schedule, being responsible for your studies, or navigating cultural differences in a very international community. One aspect that makes CIC unique is how much emphasis it places on building independence. You’re expected to stand on your own two feet, but at the same time, teachers, house parents, and advisors are always there in the background to guide you. That balance made all the difference for me.

The best thing that happened to me at CIC was discovering what I truly wanted to study. I came to Canada with the idea of becoming a doctor, but through my courses and my own self-reflection, I realized my passion lies in psychology and mental health. That shift was scary at first, but it has been the most rewarding part of my journey.

If I could do anything differently, I would have told myself to be more open from the start, to not be afraid of making mistakes or feeling out of place. My advice to new students is embrace the discomfort. The moments when you feel most challenged are the moments when you’ll grow the most.

What I loved most about CIC was the sense of possibility. Every resource, from the teachers to the extracurriculars to the residence life, was designed to help us discover who we are and where we want to go. CIC doesn’t just prepare you for university, it prepares you for life.

For incoming students, my advice is simple: take advantage of everything. Don’t just focus on classes—get involved in clubs, talk to your teachers, volunteer, and make friends from different countries. And if you’re ever feeling homesick or overwhelmed, remember that there’s always someone whether it’s a teacher, a house parent, or a classmate, who understands and is willing to help.

The academics at CIC are tough, but also flexible in a way that allowed me to explore my interests. I took courses in the sciences because of my initial goal to study medicine, but I also found myself drawn to psychology and human behavior. CIC’s teachers encouraged me to follow that curiosity instead of sticking rigidly to a path I thought I “should” follow. The teachers were approachable and always willing to sit down one-on-one to explain something more deeply. That individualized attention helped me maintain high grades, which later played an important role in earning scholarships and my acceptance to the University of Toronto.

Sports at CIC weren’t just about competition but they were about building community. I wasn’t always the most athletic student, but I loved how inclusive the athletics program was. Whether you were competing at a high level or just playing for fun, there was a place for you. Participating in physical activities helped me balance out the intensity of academics and kept me healthy both physically and mentally. It was also another way to make friends and connect with people outside my classes.

While I wasn’t heavily involved in the arts, I did appreciate how vibrant and diverse the creative programs were at CIC. I had friends in theatre productions and music groups, and I remember attending their performances. Watching them perform was always inspiring as it reminded me of how much talent surrounded me and how CIC encouraged students to shine in different ways.

CIC offered so many student-led organizations, and I took part in service-oriented clubs that gave me a chance to give back. Volunteering not only strengthened my university applications but also gave me confidence in navigating Canadian culture. One highlight was working alongside students from completely different backgrounds. We’d sit around tables, planning events or service activities, and I realized how powerful collaboration across cultures can be. Those experiences taught me as much as my classes did.

Living in residence was a huge adjustment at first, but it became one of the most defining parts of my CIC experience. Sharing space with students from all over the world forced me to become more adaptable and open-minded. At the same time, it also taught me independence like organizing my own routines, managing my studies, and making sure I was prepared for the day ahead. Our house parents were an incredible support system. They checked in on us, made sure we were doing well, and often became people we could turn to when we missed home. Looking back, dorm life is what helped me grow from being a teenager into a more self-sufficient young adult.

The dining hall was another central part of life at CIC. What stood out most was the variety of international food offered. Coming from Ukraine, I was nervous about adjusting to a completely new diet, but I always found something comforting to eat. Meals were also social time, a chance to sit with friends, decompress, and share stories about our day.

Hamilton was my first home in Canada, and while it’s not a big city like Toronto, it had everything we needed. I loved being able to explore the downtown area with my friends on weekends, trying new cafés, or even just going for walks. The proximity to Toronto also made it easy to visit a major city when we wanted a change of pace.

The social life at CIC is truly international. I met people from dozens of different countries, and that exposure broadened my worldview more than I ever expected. At first, I was shy and hesitant, but my peers were welcoming, and over time those friendships became the foundation of my life here. We celebrated each other’s cultures whether through festivals, food, or school events. That sense of global community made me feel at home in a country that was completely new to me.