Celeena's #MyCrewYU

This is a photo of our student blogger Celeena.This blog is an archived post written by Celeena during her 3rd year in the Environmental Management stream.

 

 

 

As an international student from Trinidad, coming to Toronto alone was definitely a challenge in first year! Moving from the warm tropical islands to fall-type weather (which was the coldest I’ve ever felt at the time) was one thing to adjust to, as well as adjusting to a new environment, living by myself which meant cooking, cleaning and doing my own errands, and generally adjusting to a whole new culture. I was also unsure about what program was the right fit for me. These are the people and experiences that have helped to shape who I am today- this is #MyCrewYU!

The one thing that really helped me settle was the York U Residence Life Staff! I lived in residence in my first and second year at YorkU and the Dons (An upper year student who is in charge of each floor) as well as the events they planned allowed me to become comfortable in this whole new world. This is where I met many of my close friends who really helped with the big adjustment to a new place.

Celeena and a group of residence students in formal attire

York U Pond Residence Formal in my second year.

When I came to university, I really wanted to understand a different approach to environmental issues. I have always been interested in nature and how humans are effecting the natural world. In the past I have had mainly a science-based foundation (physics, math, chemistry), but I always felt like this was not the right fit for me. I was still trying to figure out what I really had a passion for. What spoke to me?

My first look into the BES program was through a first-year course called Intro to Environmental Studies which was taught by Professor Peter Timmerman. He really opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking of environmental issues: through learning about the law, policy, environmental ethical thinking, conservation of the natural world, the effects of climate change on society, and renewable energy.

A small group of students listening to a TA in a forest

Field work for Intro to Environmental Science- a first year course in FES.

This was a major factor in what led me to switch into the BES program.

Upon realizing that I wanted to transfer to the BES, the Faculty’s Student Success Coordinator, Ann Tsirgielis (who is the sweetest person!), also helped me to make my decision by guiding me through what sorts of courses I would be taking, the different streams and certificates offered, and career profiles from past graduates! If it weren't for Ann's patience and understanding, I don't know if i would've made the right choice! (But of course, I did, thanks to her.)

Through more courses about environmental policy, management, and renewable energy that I took with Professor Mark Winfield, this allowed me to see clearly that I wanted to explore my options in the environmental policy field and the implementation of renewable energy systems like solar and wind energy. This was important to me because I've never felt so interested in a course before, so it was kind of a big deal! It made me think "Wow, I can really see myself enjoying this field".

Since I was a transfer into the Faculty of Environmental Studies, I did not know many people which is why I looked to get more involved with the Faculty. The community feel of FES has given me the opportunity to meet with so many great people! When I started working with Ann and other students as a Peer Mentor, this led me to meet the great Recruitment and Communications team - Lily Piccone and Alison Ozog. With this interaction I started working more in depth with the faculty and got to experience the amazing events, like the Change Your World conference. This was an event where high school students are given the opportunity to learn more about environmental advocacy, education, and participate in field work! I have also began to work on my own project regarding environmental careers, something I did not think I would ever get to do in university!

Aerial shot of the Change Your World conference

Change Your World Conference.

Opportunities like this really allowed me to open up to things like public speaking, writing, project management and many other qualities I never thought I would get the chance to learn so early in my life. All I've ever really known is that you go to school/university, just for the sake of going to school. Here at York however, it has been so much more than academic learning for me! The diversity of people and the enormous amount of resources and opportunities you have at your finger tips makes it easy to have the best university experience of your life. This in addition to the people here at York U have truly moulded me into the type of person I've always wanted to be. It makes me even more excited for the future!