荔枝视频

International House, one of the residence buildings at the 荔枝视频, is now home to a welcoming and inclusive space where first-year students can decompress between classes, connect with peers, learn about resources, and build a stronger student community. 

The First Year Lounge, developed by the First-Year Experience Team from the , in collaboration with Residence Services, opened on Jan. 23, just across from the Campus Service Centre.

For Tomi Ogeye, head of the First-Year Experience Program, the space addresses a longstanding gap in the first-year student experience. "(One of) the reason(s) first-year students don鈥檛 stay on-campus, once they鈥檙e done with classes, is because they don鈥檛 have a safe space to go that will accommodate their needs," Ogeye says.

Originally a bistro, the First Year Lounge serves as a third space for first-year students besides home and studies residence and library, as a response to student feedback indicating a need for more dedicated on-campus space. The space features various seating areas, a ramp for accessibility, and a small kitchen space where students will have access to a microwave and a refrigerator for their food. 

That sense of comfort was immediately noticeable to students exploring the space on opening day. First-year biomedical sciences students Joanne and Emily remarked on the lounge being a comfy space with big windows providing natural light, making it feel open. They also admired the decor and kitchen area and remarked that it feels like a nice place for students to gather.

Others saw the lounge as a place to unwind and socialize. Josh, another first-year student studying business, said he could imagine it being 鈥渁 really nice place to chill (when it鈥檚 not this crowded),鈥� adding he would 鈥減robably come here again with my friends.鈥�

Beyond being a quiet place to work or recharge, the First Year Lounge will host student facilitators at various times Monday through Friday during the Winter term. These upper-year undergraduate peers are available to share insights from their own university experience, help guide first-year students to relevant resources, or simply offer a friendly, familiar presence. The lounge will also host Unwind, a drop-in social event designed to help first-year students connect with one another and build community at the 荔枝视频.

Be it a space for when students need to relax between classes, heat up lunch, meet new people or just take a break from the day, the First Year Lounge opens another door towards being a part of U荔枝视频 community.

First-year students are open to drop in, hang out and make the most of this new space in International House (located by the Dining Centre).