She arrived in Winnipeg in August 2018 and began her post-secondary studies at the International College of Manitoba (ICM) before transferring to the University of Manitoba. Adjusting to life in a new country brought some surprises. “Growing up in a conservative country, it was surprising to see things like marijuana being legal or alcohol being allowed on campus,” Rihanah recalls.  

Even the everyday routines felt unfamiliar. Cooking meals from home often meant making trips to several stores for ingredients. Cultural norms around food, religion, and even parenting felt drastically different. “Back home, eating with utensils was considered fancy. Most people just ate with their hands,” she says. She also noted that being Muslim felt different here too. They way Islam is practiced and perceived in Canada doesn’t always match what she grew up with. 

Raihanah has lived in the St John’s College Residence for seven years and describes it as a key part of adjusting well in Canada. “Even though I’m living away from my parents, I don’t feel like a stranger here. The community is small, so you’re likely to walk past the same people often and make new friends.” 

Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Raihanah had to confront another reality of being Asian in Canada; discrimination. The rise in anti-Asian hate was unsettling. “I’d get long stares when people would walk past me, assuming I was Chinese,” she says. Strangers would ask offensive or ignorant questions like, “Do Chinese people really eat cats?” or “You’re Muslim, so where’s your hijab?” While initially uncomfortable, Raihanah now tries to ease the tension by responding with humor. 

When she’s missing home, attending events hosted by the now-combined Singaporean and Malaysian Student Association helps her feel at home and reconnected with her culture. 

To Raihanah, Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity within Asian communities. “Not all Asian cultures are the same,” she emphasizes. It was important to Raihanah that the different traditions and values were recognized as separate.  

Her advice for newcomers? Don’t isolate yourself. “Go out and make new friends. Even if you’re shy, show up to events, hang out in the dining hall, and eventually someone will come to talk to you. Staying home just makes you more homesick.” 

Like many newcomers to Canada, Rihanah’s adjustment wasn’t always easy. Many deal with the discomfort of culture shock, discrimination and hardship; however, many also find community. Sometimes it’s through communities that share your culture, and other times through those that simply offer support and care. At St John’s College, we strive to offer both. With our diverse community of residents, faculty and staff, we hope you’ll find your home away from home.

Here, you’ll find more than just a room; you’ll find a supportive community ready to make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. With 24/7 support through the Dean of Residence and the Don’s Program, you’ll never feel alone. The Don’s Program is led by five student leaders who oversee the residence and organize monthly events.

Why choose St John’s Residence?

• Furnished rooms so you can move-in stress free
• A weekly meal plan, including snacks on Sunday night and during exam periods
• A newly renovated kitchen for students to cook their favourite meals or snacks
• Housekeeping services and affordable laundry services
• A games room with pool and foosball tables
• Two dedicated student lounges
• Monthly events planned by the student residence council
• Access to St John’s college services, including the library, Daily Bread Café, lockers, college classrooms, and Chapel & Chaplaincy services.

St John’s Residence is home to students from around the world. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, we’d love to welcome you into our inclusive and vibrant community.

Learn more and apply today!
Find rates and additional information about St John’s College residence

Submit your application and start your journey with us

The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources student studying for his master’s in microbiology felt isolated when he arrived in Canada. He did not know what to expect but was excited to get started. 

“When I first arrived in Canada, I felt alone. I didn’t have any friends or know where to go on campus; I was just trying to figure out my way.” 

Since arriving in Canada in September 2023, Rei Shibue has stayed in St John’s residence, where he’s been able to be close to his classes and build friendships that have helped him find his home away from home.

“For the first while in the residence, I kept to myself. I didn’t talk much, ate alone in the dining room, and attended classes. Over the last year, though, that’s changed significantly.”

As Rei continues his studies in microbiology, where he is investigating microbes in the Arctic Ocean, he also finds his community in St John’s residence at monthly events and has become a residence don on the student support team.

“Attending events and getting involved in the residence has helped me meet some of my closest friends.”

“It’s the community I needed outside of class to feel like I’m home.” 

Looking to make a difference in the residence, Rei knew he wanted to get involved on the dons team to help students navigate the problems he once faced when coming to Canada.

“Being a don allows me to continue building relationships in the residence while giving back to the community and the students here.” 

As the dons prepare to welcome more new students into the residence in Winter 2025, Rei has found being a resident to be rewarding and fulfilling in more ways than he could imagine.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this team and community, which has given me so much.”

To learn more about St John’s residence, visit our website. 

To submit your application for Winter 2025 accommodations, contact our Dean of Residence.

The 2024 St John’s College art competition winner uses art to showcase the natural beauty he sees around him while producing it in the way he visualizes it.

“It’s the fulfillment and satisfaction derived from expressing my thoughts and views.” 

Since moving to Canada and finding his new home at St John’s residence, the School of Art student has loved bringing his imagination to life. As an artist who has published his work around campus, Valentine looks to not only showcase his work but also working towards his goal of building his own arts academy.

“This local exhibition is a chance for me to get my work out there and see other artists. My goal is to set up my arts academy here in Canada and back home in Nigeria where I can showcase my work, teach younger generations, and add value to my community.”

Upon arriving in Canada and settling into his art studies, Valentine has found his home away from home at St John’s residence, a small community on campus.

In a quiet place for studying and relaxing yet welcoming to students from across the world, the residence has become a place where Valentine has been able to grow into his own.

“It’s a friendly place for everyone where I’ve enjoyed meeting people on paint nights, excursions, and events around the city. What I love most is the clean and peaceful atmosphere.”

As Valentine prepares for his exhibition in October at cre8ery gallery and studio from October 1st through 26th, he is grateful for the opportunities ahead for his artwork.

The postdoctoral student is currently conducting a two-year project studying metal(loid) sequestration by soil mineral-organic matter associations. His interest is understanding how to stabilize metal(loid) and carbon in the soil environment under global climate change, with a specific focus on the interaction between contaminated soils in Cobalt, Ontario, and Trail, British Columbia. 

Upon moving into St John’s residence nearly nine months ago, Xinyang was excited about this new journey, which has opened him up to new experiences and friendships along the way. His supervisor referred him to the residence, and Xinyang shares his experience about the welcoming environment he felt upon arrival.

“I felt the friendliness of the residents the moment I walked in. It’s a diverse culture. I love it here; it’s comfortable.”

With the friendly atmosphere and a short walk to everything on campus, Xinyang benefits from the flexibility the residence provides, allowing him to balance his studies, work, and personal life.

“Staying in residence, a short walk to my office and around campus, provides me flexibility. I can eat and study all in the same place while enjoying the community around me, which has allowed me to relieve the research pressure.”

As Xinyang continues working on his post-doctoral studies, he hopes to continue challenging himself through deepening his research in global environmental issues.

To learn more about the benefits of staying in St John’s residence, visit our website.

Fall 2024 applications are open; apply today.

The St John’s college events coordinator and faculty assistant knew it was time for a new home, which was when he moved to Canada from Ukraine.

Arriving at St John’s residence in July 2022 is where that new life began as he worked in the Daily Bread Cafe, serving our community around campus through catering events and in the kitchen. 

“With the support of the government, it made my move to Manitoba easier. It felt like home and had great support for Ukraine fleeing war.”

Since moving to Canada and building his new life, Ivan is excited to grow in this new opportunity as he supports the events throughout the college in the upcoming year.

“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished since coming here, and I’m excited for this new role and what’s ahead to continue building the life I want.”

To learn more about our event spaces and opportunities in SJC, visit our website.

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. 

Coming from faculties across campus including, arts, science, university 1, health sciences, and engineering, our ambassadors look to share their SJC experiences to students around UM. 

With the goal of connecting with new and returning students at St John’s, ambassadors will engage with our fellowship, alumni, and broader community around current student life activities at St John’s College. Whether it be the benefits of college student membership including, scholarship opportunities, friendships that last a lifetime, or study spaces, students have a place to belong at SJC.  

Each of these aspects holds true for our ambassadors as they reflect on the most valuable aspects of their own experiences leading up to the new academic year.

Eniola Odeleye – Faculty of Science

“A greater sense of community and purpose. I’m excited to build my passion for volunteering.”

Yinka Odeleye – Faculty of Science

“The spaces we have access to, and the scholarships have allowed me to succeed in my studies.” 

La-Tonya – Faculty of Arts

“Wonderful and supportive staff who will support your academic needs and listen to you and any concerns you have”

Grace Okunnu – Max Rady College of Medicine

“The food at the Daily Bread Cafe is delicious. I’ve benefited from the many scholarships that are open to all students of all backgrounds.” 

Sabrina Stokotenly – Faculty of Science

“The friendships I’ve made here are special and ones that I’ll keep forever.” 

St John’s College is also please to welcome Mehak Kaur and Adam Kupiak to the ambassador team. 

To learn more about the SJC student ambassador program, visit our website. 

Jasmine spent a year in an Indigenous military program in Ontario. Upon completing her program and getting accepted to the University of Manitoba, an advisor at the Indigenous Student Centre on campus recommended to Jasmine to live in St. John’s Residence in her preparation for first year.

“The Residence welcomed me with open arms, and it has given me the space and support to realize and evolve into the person I want to become while also letting me focus on my studies in a way I wouldn’t be able to if I lived off-campus.”

St John’s Residence became a home to Jasmine, and over the course of her undergraduate degree she has stayed.

“The staff and community have allowed me to feel safe and secure with a sense of home away from home. I have gained a lot of self-confidence and learned a lot about myself in my time living in St. John’s Residence.”

Now in her fifth year as an Indigenous Studies major, Jasmine looks to graduate next spring with aspirations of making a difference with contributions to Indigenous voices, rights, and education. 

“I want to use my studies to help boost Indigenous people up, create more opportunities, and make a difference for Indigenous success. I know I’m an ambitious person who wants many things, but I can’t help but want to achieve them all with the education I’m learning.”

Jasmine looks forward to seeing her aspirations realized with her post-secondary education. She hopes that with all her endeavors and efforts that she will be able to meaningfully give back to the communities that she has been a part of, including but not limited to the youth, students coming into St. John’s Residence, and her community up north.

To learn more about the residence and its benefits, visit our website. 

Travelling from Africa to pursue nursing, Fatoumatta started her journey off at University 1, where she found St John’s to help her academically and meet new friends like Hamidou, one of the St John’s Residence Don’s. 

“Coming from a small place in Africa, I wanted a small community not just to meet friends but to succeed academically, and St John’s is that place for me.”  

Being an international student, Fatoumatta felt supported on campus. As she got comfortable, she quickly found that diversity was embraced at St John’s College, which made her feel at home.   

“It’s a welcoming place for everyone, no matter your background, who you are, or where you come from; everyone is accepted here. It felt like second home to be with the welcoming staff, endless opportunities, and academic support they provide to help me get through my studies.” 

As part of her experience at St John’s, Fatoumatta has benefited from the scholarships and bursaries, which were more than just financial support for her and her family.   

Receiving the Dance Memorial Bursary last year allowed her to continue building the life she wants for herself and her family, including buying fresh groceries for the holiday season and continuing her coursework to get into the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.  

Learn more about our student membership and its benefits on our website.