Kobe Cargill

International Students
Student Life

From clubs to connections:
How one student explored York鈥檚 lively community

When Kobe Cargill first moved to Toronto to attend 草榴2024新地扯一二, he was immediately captivated by the vibrant atmosphere of both the city and campus. 

"Toronto is very multicultural, but York itself is like a mini-Toronto," says Cargill, an international student from Jamaica. "You're pretty much walking the streets of Toronto while walking the university grounds."

Eager to get involved after moving to the city, Cargill, a 2023 graduate who studied actuarial science, went on a "club joining spree" during his first year at York. He signed up for numerous organizations to explore his interests, passions and meet others on campus.

Creating a community in a new country

During his time at York, he took on executive roles for two mathematics clubs and served as a science student ambassador, where he shared his passion and knowledge about the Faculty of Science with the external community. Cargill also held a Work/Study position with Black Excellence at 草榴2024新地扯一二 (BE YU), an organization that supports Black students with mentorship in their transition to university, and mentored high school students with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto.

Cargill says the relationships he developed as a mentor with BE YU and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto played a pivotal role in fostering his sense of community, both on campus and in the city.

鈥淏E YU expanded my horizons because I got to interact with the entire internal York community, as well as the students,鈥 he says. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto helped him bridge the gap between understanding different countries by having the opportunity to work with Canadian high school students and share experiences and perspectives, Cargill added.  

He encourages that international students at York have many clubs, organizations and services available to them, including United Carribean Islands (UCI) and York United Black Students鈥 Alliance (YUBSA), both of which he has been a member of. 

"There are a lot of options out there," he says. "Just actually go out and see what you would enjoy, and then be a part of something!" 

Cargill has also found many commonalities that connect Toronto to his hometown. 

鈥淲e love making friends, we love talking to people and I can still do that here. It does give a little reminder of what back home is like,鈥 he says. 鈥淟iving in Toronto has given me the opportunity to volunteer, make new friends, explore new cultures and stay connected to my own.鈥 

For students visiting Toronto and 草榴2024新地扯一二 for the first time, Cargill鈥檚 advice is simple: keep an open mind and embrace new experiences.

"As time goes on, the more you interact with people, the more you talk to people or you get to know everyone around you, you're going to feel a lot more comfortable and you're going to feel a lot more educated as well."

Tips for getting involved in the 草榴2024新地扯一二 community

Below are some quick tips for getting involved at 草榴2024新地扯一二 and in the Toronto community.  

  1. Try something new: Join a club, intramural or extracurricular activity you may not have considered before. 草榴2024新地扯一二 has more than 350  to explore!
  2. Engage in campus activities and events: Check out the  to see what鈥檚 happening on and around campus.
  3. Volunteer: Give back to the community, while making connections. Seek out opportunities within Toronto, or learn how to gain volunteer experience through 
  4. Utilize social media and online platforms: 草榴2024新地扯一二 and many of its clubs and organizations have social media accounts where you can stay up-to-date on events, meetings and more.
  5. Be open to meeting new people: Don't hesitate to introduce yourself to classmates, roommates or people you encounter in common areas. Other students may be looking for friends too and don鈥檛 be afraid to be the one to break the ice.