From newcomer to local: My summers in Toronto

Toronto never fails to show up when it comes to summer! I have lived in Toronto for almost four years now, and every year, I look forward to this time of year! From outdoor movie showings to music gardens and walks around town, weekdays and weekends never feel dull. 

My first summer in Toronto looked very different from my summer today. Back then, I decided to get a part-time job while doing summer courses to lighten my course load for the fall semester. Often my days started at 8 am doing school work, going to work in the afternoon, and exploring Toronto with friends during weekends. In order to use my time wisely, I would do school work in the morning, cook lunch the night before going into work and start assignments a couple of weeks out to have peace of mind when hanging out with friends. I organized my work schedule so I could focus on school. The first week was a bit overwhelming, but as the summer went by, I felt that I had the time to do everything! 

My second summer, though, looked a bit different. I started a job at TMU in Recreation & Active Wellbeing, but that did not stop me from having fun. My shifts were shorter, so I would typically work in the mornings and have the rest of the day to myself, and that is when I got introduced to some of my favourite plans: 

Toronto Music Gardens! 

For live music lovers, this is a free experience that happens throughout summer, starting in June, with free performances by JUNO Award-winning Canadian musicians (external link)  and celebrated

local artists! Performances happen on Sunday afternoons by the waterfront. People bring their loved ones, pets and family to relax and find new artists or get a peek at their favourite local artists. After the performance, I like to take a relaxing walk alongside the waterfront. This is one of the best lazy Sunday activities!

The Beach! 

My favourite activity that makes me feel less homesick is going to the beach, and while Lake Ontario is not salt water, the experience is not diminished by this fact. Jump on a streetcar and 30 minutes away from Toronto’s downtown core, you’ll find yourself in Woodbine Beach! The water will be cold, but after a couple of minutes you won’t notice. Bring some food, umbrellas, towels and friends to make a fun day trip out of it! 

Toronto Landmarks! 

There are some activities that, as a newcomer to Toronto, you can not miss, like going to the iconic CN Tower. In my case, I reserved the first trip for me and my mom when she visited for the first time! We went up the elevator, and the views of Toronto were unbeatable. Another non-negotiable stop is Kensington Market, which is a neighbourhood full of culture, restaurants, coffee shops and vintage stores. I always leave Kensington Market with a little trinket. You can find yourself in local shops or trivia nights, making this the perfect spot for solo days or meeting friends. 

The best part of summer in Toronto is that no matter the day, there will always be some activity going on. If not, you can catch the streetcar to High Park and enjoy the long sunny days that the summer brings along or end your day catching the sunset at Riverdale East with an amazing view of the city’s skyline! 

Now, summer as a 4th-year student who is working a full-time job looks a bit different. Monday through Friday, I work as an International Student Ambassador. I work on a variety of tasks and projects, and lead campus tours where I show other students around the TMU campus and share my favourite stories from my student journey!  Some of my favourite summer activities include going to High Park and Christie Pits with my friends and bringing books, volleyballs, painting supplies, and snacks to spend most of the day outside in the sun! I like going to the movies at Imagine Cinemas on 5$ Tuesdays and watching something new for cheap. Toronto is full of options when it comes to summer activities!