We recently spoke with Tawana, who has lived at St John’s since 2019, serving as a Senior Don (RA) since Fall 2022. She moved from Zimbabwe to study psychology and learned about the residence through people from her program. In our conversation, Tawana recounted how from the moment she walked into the residence for the first time, she knew it felt like home. Tawana is one of several students who lived at St John’s during the ups and downs of the pandemic: navigating virtual classes, quarantines, and lockdown restrictions, and helping keep fellow residents safe as part of her role as Senior Don, all the while building close friendships that will last a lifetime.  

Brothers Bryan and Neil have likewise lived at St John’s through the pandemic, with Bryan having called St John’s College home for the past three years and Neil joining him in Winnipeg in January 2022. Coming from a small Ghanaian community, these two weren’t sure what to expect when they moved to Canada; however, it didn’t take long for both to jump headfirst into College culture by attending sporting events, getting involved in Residence and Student Councils, applying for scholarships and bursaries, volunteering to enhance their professional development, and enjoying delicious food.  

Speaking of delicious food and events, here are a variety of benefits residence students get as part of life at St John’s:  

• Single occupancy rooms where students can have their privacy and room wifi. 
• Our comprehensive all-you-care-to-eat meal plan offering 19 meals per week including halal meal plan. 
• Access to residence common rooms including our TV lounge and games room. 
• Access to scholarships and bursaries available only to College members. 
• Academic support, including advisory help and access to a dedicated residence study lounge.    
• 24-hour access to the College campus, including after-hours access to classrooms and meeting rooms for studying or working on group projects.   
• 24/7/365 interpersonal support and referral from a committed team of Dons.   

If you are looking for a place to call home as you study at the University of Manitoba this fall, apply now to St John’s residence. 

During our recent conversation, Raihanah (currently a fourth-year psychology student) spoke of finding a home in the residence community both as she’s worked towards her academic degree and during her three years as a Don. As she’s found her voice and become part of the community, she’s experienced the residence as a place where she could try new things and build life-long friendships. 

“The college residence has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and build leadership and community skills. I was nervous yet excited about what it offered when I walked into the college. From the benefits students receive at the residence, like the delicious Daily Bread Café food, accessibility to events and academic help, it’s an accessible accommodation for all students.” 

Living at St John’s college residence offers students more than just a place to live. Students are welcomed into the community through events, connections with staff, and the following benefits that come with your stay:   

• Weekly meal plan from the Daily Bread Café, including snacks on Sunday night and during exam periods 
• Affordable laundry services   
• Student council opportunities to build professional development   
• Access to monthly events planned by the student residence council   
• Access to St John’s college services, including St John’s library, Daily Bread Café, lockers, college classrooms, and Chapel and Chaplaincy services.   
• Dedicated lounge 
• Housekeeping services include cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, and garbage removal.   

Whether you’re an international or domestic student, everyone is welcome to St John’s college residence. In hosting students from all over the world, we are a diverse community that looks to bring people together to build community.   

For residence rates and information, click here to visit our website.   

To submit your application and join our residence, click here to apply!   

For more information about our residence, contact Matthew Bowman, Dean of Residence.   

1) PLAN AHEAD AND STAY ORGANIZED 

Moving into student housing can be overwhelming, and you want to be prepared, especially if it’s their first time away from home. Creating a checklist with everything you need to bring is a good place to start. To get started, here are some items we recommend: 

• Bedding   
• Room decor 
• Office items for your desk   
• Toiletries   
• Clothes   

Learn more about what to bring on our website.   

2) CONNECT WITH ROOMMATES AND NEIGHBOURS 

Living in the college residence allows students to build lifelong friendships with other students, whether it’s before or after move-in day, connecting with a member of the residence dons team of student support staff, or with other student leaders such as the co-presidents of the residence coucnil can help students begin to build those friendships as early as move-in day. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Our student leaders were once brand-new residents themselves, and are always happy to offer support, referral, and connection.  

3) FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH CAMPUS RESOURCES  

St John’s college and the University of Manitoba offer a variety of resources to help students succeed on campus. 

Exploring the college and university campus will familiarize you important places like study carrels, libraries, classrooms, University Centre, health services, and more. As a student in the St John’s college residence, you will also have access to, study carrels, library, academic support, scholarships and bursaries, student-led events, and leadership opportunities.   

To learn more about the University of Manitoba resources, view them on our website. Or drop by the General Office to ask for a copy of the campus map.  

4) UNDERSTAND THE MOVE-IN DAY LOGISTICS  

Moving into residence can feel chaotic with many students moving in on the same day. However, our dons team is trained to make move-ins as stress-free as possible. Your residence confirmation will contain lots of details about how to make the most of your move-in. Make sure you’ve read through it before you arrive and ask questions if anything feels unclear. Doing your part to arrive prepared ensures everyone gets moved in as efficiently as possible, leaving lots of time forgetting to know each other and exploring all the residence has to offer.  

5) EMBRACE THE EXPERIENCE  

Moving into student housing like a college residence is a new experience. Take it in with an open mind and positive attitude. Be flexible in adapting to new surroundings, lifestyles, and meeting diverse people. Don’t be afraid to try new things and ask questions. The Dean of residence is available and ready to help students.  

For more move-in tips and information, visit our current residents page.   

If students are looking for housing, St John’s college is immediately available for students needing housing for January 2024 and Summer 2024. Visit our website to apply. 

The first-year psychology student, currently in the Faculty of Arts, came to Canada last fall to the University of Manitoba, where she started her passion for learning about mental health. After 24 hours of travel to Canada, Grace felt at home at her college residence. Although it was late when she arrived, it took her no time to meet those around the residence, including the dons and residence council, who have quickly become some of her best friends.  

As Grace describes,

“The residence is a diverse and welcoming place. When I first came in, I could relate to the students because they have had similar experiences and understand what I’m going through.”    

 

Whether it be connecting around food, talking about classes in the dining hall, movie nights in the lounge, studying together, or just catching up on life, Grace is grateful for the community she has found at the St John’s college residence as she works to pursue her psychology dreams.   

As the Communications Director at the St John’s college residence Council and weekly volunteering with the CanU program, Grace is taking her university experience by storm as she works to develop her skills and abilities for her future career.  

“I love getting involved in any way I can to better myself and others. Learning new skills I can apply for my future career has been exciting, and I can’t wait to see where everything goes.”  

Outside of her volunteering and council work, Grace loves a movie night with her friends in the lounge while eating comfort food, which has become one of her favourite memories in college. This has become a time for her to connect with her friends, have a sense of home, and relax outside of a busy study schedule. 

Grace plans to work towards a PhD in psychology following her undergraduate studies, where she hopes to bring back her work to make positive mental health change in Kenya.   

The St John’s college residence has open rooms for students needing accommodation for the January 2024 or Summer 2024 semesters. Students can apply on the college website here.   

You can also learn more about the college residence benefits which all students receive.   ”

After coming from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tawana came to the University of Manitoba in 2019, where she founded the College’s Residence. In settling into a new life in Canada, Tawana felt at home when she walked into the doors of the College. Seeing the space she had in her room, quickly meeting friends in the food hall, and learning the opportunities available at the University, Tawana was excited for what was to come. Take an inside look into the college’s residence. 

“The rooms are quiet and provide enough space for all your belongings. It’s a great place to hang out after class, meet with friends, and chill out after a long day. Walking to class or anywhere on campus takes me under 5 minutes, which is convenient, especially in the wintertime when it’s cold and when I want to meet up with others on campus.”   

Since being in Residence for four years now, Tawana has loved the Residence events that are held every month for students. Some of her favorites include paint nights, movie nights, and exploring places around Winnipeg, including the BDI (Bridge Drive Inn), The Forks, and Human Rights Museum, to name a few. While visiting these places, Tawana has also taken up new activities, like skating on The Forks trail in the winter with fellow resident students. 

“Before coming to Canada, I had never skated, so having experiences like this is amazing. You get to meet people from all walks of life while trying new things together.”   

While enjoying all the fun outside the classroom, Tawana has also found success in the classroom with the help of study carrels, academic advisors, and other university resources. Learning how the university works through the First Year Centre and online resources, Tawana has found the on-site resources impactful to her experience.    

“Being close to places like the libraries, study rooms, and academic resources like advisors helps me succeed in my studies. I have an academic advisor I see when I need help in a course or career path, whom I met with in my first year and have been going to ever since. I can also study at any time of day in different places on campus that help me focus and change my studying atmosphere.”  

Going into her final year of studies, Tawana is sharing her Residence experience with new students coming into Residence by being involved in the Don’s Program. Following her undergraduate studies, Tawana looks forward to continuing her education in a master’s degree program.    

Learn more about our Residence Rates on our website. 

Apply to St John’s College Residence today. 

In coming to UM, Dharmil was excited to start this new adventure in business while doing his first semester online after travelling to Canada during the pandemic. After getting to Canada, Dharmil wasted no time getting involved at UM, where he found council work, extra-circular activities, and a co-op opportunity with the Asper School of Business.   

After his first year of classes at UM, Dharmil met the Communications Director of SJCSA, Sharaina Cottick, in an Asper marketing class. In working together for a semester, Dharmil learned about the community and benefits St John’s College offers, which he joined shortly after. A few months after joining the College, Dharmil joined SJCSA (St John’s College Student Association) as the treasurer to build his skills for his future career where he continued to meet new colleagues of the college and make an impact on student council.  

“Being a part of SJCSA has helped me learn new skills, apply what I’m learning in class, and meet new friends. From the events, scholarships, and friendships you build, the College has been a great place for me.”  

 

Aside from joining SJCSA, Dharmil has taken full advantage of the College community by applying for scholarships, joining in on monthly events, utilizing the study carrels as a quiet place to study, and meeting new people from other faculties within the University.     

Now going into his third year at the College, Dharmil has been a previous winning recipient of various scholarships over the years and a prime example of our community at St John’s College.   

If you are looking for scholarship opportunities, meet new people, and find a place to study on campus, become a St John’s College member on our website here.   

You can also learn more about our scholarships and bursaries here.

We caught up with Dean of Residence, Matthew Bowman, as the college looks to fill available rooms with January 2024 and Summer 2024 students looking for accommodation.    

“The college residence is a unique place in that we house students from many different countries who all have different life experiences. When they move into the college, they feel welcomed because of the other international and domestic students in the residence and how friendly the community is here.” 

In discussing the college experience with Matthew, it was evident that the residence was a place that supported students and wanted everyone to feel at home. With the 24-hour support through Matthew and the Don’s Program, students can feel safe and secure in the college residence while having a place to succeed in their studies.    

In our conversation with Matthew, he gave us insight into the college experience.   

“The Dons welcome students in on move-in day when they arrive at the residence. They help students get comfortable, show them around the residence, introduce them to the staff and other students who quickly become friends, set up their room with them, and then take them on a UM tour of campus. Following the tours and once students get comfortable, the Dons also educate new residence students about the opportunities that are available at the university for them regarding employment, student councils, and resources they can use.”   

As Matthew points out, the community of the residence begins on move-in day with the Dons. This Don’s Program is the face of the residence for college students, which is made up of five students who oversee the college after hours, help run resident events and keep things running smoothly in the residence. It is also used as a 24 hour student support team for students living in residence.   

It’s apparent in our conversation with Matthew that what students enjoy about residence is more than just receiving an education; it’s about building friendships for a lifetime.    

Apply to the St John’s college residence today!    

Click here for details, benefits, and general information about the residence.    

“Studying in a new country is exciting, but can also be overwhelming,” says Crystal Stewart, international transitions coordinator at the International Centre. “The International Centre’s Summer Welcome Sessions are designed to help prepare international students for life at UM and help acquaint them with Canadian culture.”

The International Centre has organized a number of sessions coinciding with UM’s Summer Welcome. You’ll find out all you need to know about the University of Manitoba, the International Centre, Canadian culture and the academic culture at UM.

There are also sessions focused on the international student health plan, renting housing in Winnipeg, and writing essentials for international students.

All the sessions will be held virtually on Zoom and pre-registration is required.

International Student Welcome Session
May 4, 9-11 a.m. OR June 2, 1-3 p.m.
Learn how to navigate the University of Manitoba, find out about student resources as well as supports for international students. Find out more about Canadian culture, communication styles and adaptation. The session will also cover academic integrity at UM and expectations regarding academic work.

Manitoba International Student Health Plan (MISHP)
May 4, 1-2 p.m.; May 9, 9 -12 a.m.; OR May 12, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn about your international student health plan – what it covers, how to access care and more. It is important to learn all about MISHP so that you know how your coverage works before you need it. The May 4 and 9 sessions are for new international students, and the May 12 session is for new or current international students.

Writing Essentials for International Students
May 5, 9-10:30 a.m.
Learn about specific study skills, practice with some writing examples and find out where to get academic writing support. This session is open to all new and current international students.

Renting Housing in Manitoba
May 5, 12:30-2 p.m.
Learn how to find safe housing in Winnipeg and learn tips to avoid rental advertisement fraud. This session is open to all UM students.

In addition, international students can take advantage of the following on-demand sessions:

• Money Basics for Newcomers
• Taking Care of Your Health and Wellness
• Indigenous History and Reconciliation in Canada

Visit the international student orientation web page for more information and to register for the sessions.

First Year Experience

No matter where you are in the world, International Student Orientation sessions are delivered online and are structured to help you be informed, healthy and successful. Some of the sessions that will be offered starting on August 18 include:

• a warm welcome to UM
• understanding and thriving in Canadian culture
• the Manitoba International Student Health plan and what it covers
• academic supports and writing essentials for international students
• finding part-time work while studying
• finding off-campus accommodation
• other resources on campus that are available to international students

In addition to International Student Orientation, you are also encouraged to participate in general First-Year Experience programming where you can connect with a peer mentor, get tutoring, engage in academic success workshops, get support for remote learning and connect with domestic and international students through student communities.

The International Centre

Many of the programs offered at the International Centre provide opportunities for international students to successfully transition to UM, learn across cultures, build relationships with other students, and thrive while studying on campus. Whether you are a brand-new student seeking information on how to find housing in Winnipeg, or a third-year student with questions about immigration processes, there is support available for you.

Resources available for new and returning students cover topics like:

• accommodation and housing
• academics
• online learning
• money matters
• living and learning in Winnipeg
• UM’s health plan for international students

Other supports available for International students include the Virtual Support Chat and Intercultural Experience.

For more details visit the International Student Orientation website.

Follow @umfirstyearcentre on Instagram for content specifically created for first year students, and @umstudent on Instagram to get a glimpse of student life at the university. UM Commons will be updated throughout the summer with information about upcoming programming.