A Collegiate Holiday: Engaging with Students from Peterborough to Nepal
From decorating the Great Hall to festive virtual trivia, Trent’s Colleges are keeping students connected while staying apart (for now)
The holidays are all about connecting and having meaningful experiences together, just like the collegiate environment at Trent. Even though that looks a little different this year, the Colleges held virtual and in-person events helping students safely celebrate the season with their close-knit College community.
Online events gave students the opportunity to celebrate no matter where they are, including Simanta Panta, a first-year international student in the Biology program from Lady Eaton College who was able to join a festive trivia session from their home country of Nepal.
“In one word, the experience was just surreal,” said Mr. Panta. “I couldn’t believe that I was a part of a holiday celebration occurring ten thousand kilometers away. All in all, I had a blast and would definitely do it again!”
Other online events included a holiday sing-along, where students were given the chance to take the ‘virtual floor’ to dance and sing if they wanted to and an online holiday-themed gaming session.
“We wanted to plan the events to span different time zones to try and include as many LEC students as possible, regardless of where they are living and studying right now,” shared fourth-year Social Work student and College Ambassador Alicia Yon.
From the time-honoured tradition of decorating the Great Hall in Champlain, to creating ornaments in Gzowski to making holiday sweaters in Otonabee, in-person events helped students take a break from their studies and create with their fellow students.
“My friend and I came to this event, specifically the card making, and had a lot of fun,” shared Maria Pettifer, a second-year Arts and Science student in the Teacher Education Stream. “I haven’t been on campus much this semester, so I was grateful to be able to connect in person with other students.”
Learn more about Trent’s Collegiate System and the College experience.