Seven reasons why you should attend university in Toronto
Now that I’ll be entering my fourth and final year of the English program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), I’ve had a lot of time to explore Toronto. Before starting my first year, I was nervous about adjusting to an environment that is the exact opposite of my quiet suburban neighbourhood in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), but now I can proudly say that I consider the city to be my second home.
To help you decide if the city is the right fit for you, I’ve compiled my top seven reasons why I think you should consider attending university in the heart of downtown Toronto. With unlimited access to career opportunities, exciting events and places to explore, there’s something for everyone here!
1. Experiential learning and networking opportunities
Back when I was applying to university, I was immediately drawn to two things — TMU’s emphasis on experiential learning and its location. These provide students with direct access to professional development opportunities that will support them throughout their studies and into post-graduation.
Attending a university that is located in the middle of Toronto means that you’re surrounded by some of the biggest companies and businesses in the world. This opens up many opportunities for you to network with reputable employers at events like on-campus career fairs, chat with inspirational guest speakers during your lectures and build relationships with faculty members who come from industries surrounding our campus. Plus, depending on your program, you might also have the opportunity to enrol in a co-op or internship program that will allow you to gain professional work experience while earning academic credits simultaneously.
Ektaa, a fifth-year English student at TMU, is one of many students who have praised the co-op program for its ability to pair students with diverse work opportunities that suit their individual needs — all thanks to TMU’s central location.
“The Arts co-op program at TMU helped me find which types of jobs are right for me. Some jobs were traditional 9-5’s, while others were remote or more asynchronous. Finding which style works for you before jumping into the real hiring pool is so vital, and the co-op program really prepares you for these environments!”
Ektaa
Fifth-year, English
2. Diverse and vibrant cultures
Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, which means that you’ll have lots of opportunities to meet new people from diverse backgrounds. At TMU, you can join a variety of diverse student groups (external link, opens in new window) that will help you build long-lasting friendships and foster a sense of community right here on campus. You can also attend Cooltural, an on-campus event which offers a range of immersive experiences that celebrate the intersection of culture, language, food and the arts. If you’re interested in learning about Indigenous culture and history, you can attend one of TMU’s Indigenous events or take some time to explore all of the Indigenous art installations on campus. Keeping an eye on TMU’s website and following our social media accounts is the best way to stay informed about what types of exciting cultural events you’ll be able to attend throughout the year!
One example of the Indigenous artwork that you can find on campus is the Paisajes de Nosotros (Landscapes of Us) mural, which is located on the west-facing wall of Kerr Hall West at Gould Street and Nelson Mandela Walk.
3. Exciting events and festivals
Something is always happening in Toronto, so as a student at TMU, you’ll be provided with direct access to exciting nearby events and festivals all year long. During the summer, you can go on rides or try some unusual food items at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) (external link, opens in new window) , or if you’re a book lover, you can check out the Word on the Street Festival (external link, opens in new window) , which features the best selection of books and magazines in Canada. TMU is also the perfect place to study if you’re a sports fan since you’ll always have an opportunity to attend a Blue Jays, Maple Leafs or Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena (external link, opens in new window) or the Rogers Centre (external link, opens in new window) .
Many events and festivals in Toronto also offer experiential learning opportunities for TMU students. Last year, TMU Journalism students covered the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (external link, opens in new window) and interviewed actors, directors and other notable festival attendees. Other festivals like the Toronto Fringe Festival (external link, opens in new window) have also featured current students and alumni of TMU’s Performance programs, highlighting one of many ways TMU connects its students with valuable career-building opportunities. By studying at TMU in Toronto, you can have fun and gain relevant experience for your future profession!
From rides and games to live music and unusual food items, there's something for everyone at the CNE. Image Source: BlogTO (external link, opens in new window)
4. Accessible public transportation
Toronto’s public transit systems like the TTC (external link, opens in new window) and GO Transit (external link, opens in new window) will allow you to travel all over the city within a short period of time. This can be really helpful during the super cold and hot months! With a Presto card (external link, opens in new window) , you can hop on the train, subway, streetcar or bus and travel wherever your heart desires.
To get to campus, I take the Lakeshore West GO train to Union Station, and then the subway to Dundas Station, which saves me a 20-minute walk. But if you’d rather get some exercise, you can also try taking the PATH (external link, opens in new window) — an underground walkway network that spans more than 30 kilometres and is filled with lots of restaurants and shops for you to explore. Just make sure to pay attention to the signs so you don’t get lost!
5. Top rated cafés and restaurants
Another great part about studying in Toronto is that you’ll be surrounded by dozens of aesthetically-pleasing cafés and delicious restaurants near campus. I personally love to hang out at cafés that are close to TMU, such as Page One (external link, opens in new window) and Dineen Coffee Company (external link, opens in new window) . If you want to explore the city further, you can also check out some iconic food spots in neighbourhoods like Kensington Market such as Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos (external link, opens in new window) or The Dirty Bird Chicken & Waffles (external link, opens in new window) .
6. Beautiful scenery
Whether you’re admiring the city landscape from the top of the CN Tower (as long as you’re not afraid of heights like me) or enjoying the sun at Toronto Island, Toronto is known for its stunning scenery that will always be available for you to admire at any time.
One of my favourite scenic spots in the city is High Park (external link, opens in new window) , which is known for its beautiful array of cherry blossoms in the spring and is a 30-minute trip from TMU if you take the subway. Another great spot is the Harbourfront (external link, opens in new window) where you can admire the view of Lake Ontario, visit the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (external link, opens in new window) , relax at HTO Park or take a long walk along the boardwalk. This spot is approximately a 25-minute trip from TMU by subway and streetcar, and is the perfect place to visit on a weekend with your friends.
Image Source: CBC (external link, opens in new window)
7. Endless social media-worthy places to explore
Besides the city skyline, Toronto is full of many other cool photogenic places that you can use to brighten up your social media feed. My personal favourites are the stunning architecture in the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) (external link, opens in new window) and The Great Hall inside Union Station, which makes me feel like I’m in an episode of Gossip Girl. I also enjoy walking through the iconic Graffiti Alley (external link, opens in new window) , which is a three-block alleyway of street art located within the Queen Street West (external link, opens in new window) neighbourhood that is definitely Instagram-worthy.
Located in the AGO, Walker Court is the perfect spot to take some cool photos for your social media feed.
Even though it’s impossible for me to break down all of the advantages of studying in the city, I hope this list has painted you a clear picture of some of the awesome opportunities that Toronto has to offer. By becoming a student at TMU, there will be so much more for you left to discover!
Talk to you later,
Claire