Columbia International College - Review #6

When I reflect on my time at Columbia International College (CIC), what stands out most is how quickly I learned to believe in what I could achieve. CIC is unique in how it bridges cultures, expectations, and ambitions. I found that CIC didn’t just teach me courses,it also taught me how to navigate a new educational system, how to advocate for myself, and how to aim for university not as a dream but as a realistic goal. Something CIC did differently was the mentorship culture. Teachers and guidance counsellors noticed not just how well you did in class, but whether you were growing personally. I remember Ms. Lee telling me that university would demand more than grade scores, it would demand curiosity, resilience, and communication. That mindset shaped so much of how I engaged with my classes, friends, and extracurriculars.

The best thing that happened to me at CIC was proving to myself that I could succeed in a demanding academic setting while still being true to my interests and values. Getting accepted into the University of Toronto was a milestone and to know that CIC helped me get there is something I will always treasure.

If I could go back, I might have pushed myself to take more leadership roles earlier, maybe try organizing a club or volunteering more in first year. My advice to students entering CIC is don’t wait to start. The “extra” things matter because they build who you’ll become, not just what you’ll achieve.

What I loved most was how CIC wasn’t just about preparing us academically, but preparing us personally. I left with more confidence, better communication skills, broader perspectives, and friendships that stretched across the globe.

Take advantage of every chance, even when it scares you. Ask teachers for help and try something new. Your growth will come from being pushed, but also from who you let support you. One spot I always cherished was the quiet corner in the student lounge where I’d review my notes at night and reflect on my day. It became a calm before the storm of exams.

Academics at CIC in a way that pushed me to grow, not just to survive. The curriculum involved heavy workloads, essays, projects, and exams, but teachers offered support: extra help sessions, constructive feedback, and encouragement to explore topics I found fascinating. What I liked most was that CIC didn’t just focus on rote learning. We were encouraged to think about how and why. For example, when studying biology or psychology, I would often connect what we were learning in class to what I saw in the news or heard in conversations bridging theory with real life. That added layer made learning more meaningful and prepared me mentally for the jump to the University of Toronto.

While I wasn’t a high-performance athlete, I valued the athletics program for what it offered, a break from academics, a chance to build stamina and discipline, and a way to connect with peers outside classroom pressure. Participating in school sports or fitness clubs helped me reset during high-stress times. Pushing through fatigue, celebrating small improvements, those lessons translated into my academic work, showing up even on days I didn’t feel at my best and sticking with things when they get difficult.

Even though my own strength was more in academics than the arts, I always made space for art, music, or theatre in my school life. I attended performances, cheered on friends, and sometimes participated in creative projects. Those were moments where I felt inspired seeing creativity transform ideas into emotion and expression. CIC’s arts programs showed me that schools don’t need to have every student be an artist to value the arts. Just being part of the audience or helping behind the scenes built community, supported friends, and reinforced that expression matters.

The extra-curricular offerings at CIC gave me chances to test leadership, empathy, and teamwork. Being a volunteer or participating in student clubs taught me how to plan, how to communicate, and how to negotiate different viewpoints. I remember a particular event where I worked with classmates to plan a fundraiser. We had to coordinate with teachers, vendors, and student and we had to adjust when things didn’t go according to plan. That experience taught me resilience and that leadership often means adapting.

When I boarded or lived in student residence I saw how dorm life builds both independence and community. Waking up early, managing your own schedule, doing laundry, studying late, these are small things, but they shape character. House parents and peer mentors were crucial. On nights when I missed home, or when school pressure felt heavy, having someone to talk to, someone who’d check in, made a difference. Sharing common spaces and routines made a collection of strangers become friends and made CIC home.

Mealtimes at CIC weren’t just about food but they were a chance to connect. The cafeteria buzzed with conversation: classmates discussing assignments, plans for the weekend, or what they missed from home. For me, meals offered pauses. The variety of food was useful as there were times I missed certain dishes from home, but CIC made efforts to give international students options, which mattered. A good meal with friends often lifted my mood more than any break.

Located in Hamilton, CIC has the advantage of being close enough to big-city resources while retaining a manageable pace for students. On weekends, I’d explore downtown, visit libraries, take part in cultural activities, or go to cafes with friends. These escapes outside campus were important because they reminded me there was a world beyond the classroom, which helped me decompress and also stay curious about what was possible outside CIC.

My friendships at CIC came from shared experiences: late-night group studies, club meetings, cheering each other on in exams. I made friends from many different countries, backgrounds, and perspectives. Those friendships taught me more about culture, identity, and collaboration than any textbook. Also, social events like game nights, cultural festivals, club hang-outs were special. They provided balance, laughter, and honest connections that made school feel less like a series of obligations and more like a shared journey.