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Cathy Kim, originally from Korea, grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She first came to Ontario to complete her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University in Concurrent Education, which helped her discover her passion for education. This led Cathy to pursue a Master’s degree with LHAE in the Higher Education program, which in turn led her to pursue a PhD. 

Before moving to Toronto, Cathy connected with some of her friends from Toronto for their insight on neighborhoods, rentals, etc. She utilized Facebook groups and community cultural websites (e.g., Korean community websites) to find rental units, as she found these groups more approachable than housing websites. One challenge she ran into was apartment hunting from a distance, as many landlords required specific documents or wanted potential renters to attend viewings in person. But Cathy was able to overcome this by asking some of her local friends to view units in her stead and having landlords send additional pictures. 

After searching for two months for an apartment, Cathy found a rental in a large house. Although the location was convenient, living with both students and non-students created an unpredictable schedule so she decided to look elsewhere. Her second place was in Scarborough, which is a little far but Cathy did not mind commuting, as it provided her a chance to think before starting her day, and reflect afterwards. After a year or so of living in that area, she moved again to a spacious, furnished unit a bit closer to campus in a great neighborhood by the Beach. Although she is still commuting, Cathy enjoys the walkability of her neighborhood, the food options, and the proximity to transit. 

Cathy enjoys life in Toronto and in LHAE. The City always offers something to do or attend and she appreciates the community aspect of the Department. For example, Cathy is part of a WhatsApp group where her peers share academic advice and plan social events. 

Cathy’s advice for new students is to be open to making connections with those in the Department. This can be as simple as attending orientation or introducing yourself to someone while sitting in the 6^th floor lounge. According to Cathy, there is always something to learn from everyone you meet, and being on campus can help you create a strong network. 

In the summer, Cathy worked as a Research Assistant to assist with the cost of living. She encourages students to look for opportunities within their courses/with faculty at OISE, as there are many research positions available at OISE.

An internationally recognized leader in the area of LGBTQ2S youth homelessness, Dr. Alex Abramovich works closely with municipal and provincial governments to develop strategies that address the needs of LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness.

At OISE, their doctoral research investigated homophobia and transphobia in Toronto’s shelter system, looking at the experiences that LGBTQ2S young people have in the shelter system and how broader policy issues serve to create oppressive contexts for LGBTQ2S youth. In 2019, Alex was selected as member of  for Canada's Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Yoyo Zhang completed her first master’s degree in her home country of China. After graduation, she began working in the education industry with international students and this sparked an interest in studying abroad. Yoyo then completed her second master’s degree in the United States. It was during this time that she discovered an apt for research and decided to apply for a PhD.

Upon receiving an offer from OISE, Yoyo connected with faculty, staff and current students in the Higher Education Program to help her make a decision. She was excited about receiving a Graduate Funding Package from OISE, but was unsure if it would cover the full cost of living in Toronto. By cross referencing her own research on the cost of living in Toronto with the experiences of those she spoke with, Yoyo determined that the funding package would allow her to make the transition to life in Canada.  

In her first year, Yoyo lived in Tartu College and paid approximately $900 a month for a single occupancy room. She selected the Graduate House residence because it was close to OISE and within her budget. In her second year, Yoyo decided she wanted a larger place and through a friend’s suggestion, she moved to a co-op house for students near campus. These houses are subsidized for students, allowing individuals to rent at more affordable prices. Yoyo was pleased with her new space as it was larger, quieter, and had its own kitchen. Her space is also restricted to graduate students.

Ultimately, Yoyo finds the funding package liveable. She does find the summer a bit more challenging, however, as the funding package is paid out once in the Fall and once in the Winter. That said, Yoyo has successfully dealt with this by finding summer employment at U of T as a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant or at an external education company.

Yoyo is happy she decided to move to Toronto. She finds the city peaceful and not as overwhelming as other cities she’s lived in. She also enjoys the number of food options the city has to offer (especially when she is missing Chinese food), as well as its walkability/options for biking, and the summer weather.

Yoyo’s advice for incoming students moving to Toronto is to connect with folks currently living here for advice on housing, neighborhoods, etc. The Department is happy to facilitate such connections.

Emma Cheng, originally from Lindsay, ON is an MEd student in LHAE. Before moving to Toronto, Emma explored the cost of residence, joined Toronto housing Facebook groups, and spoke with friends who lived in the city. She settled on an apartment that she shares with two roommates. Her commute is approximately a 30-minute walk to work/campus.

Emma enjoys the walkability of Toronto, the number of food options from around the world, and the skyline at night.

Emma advice to students moving to Toronto includes the following tips:. First, if you can't arrange an in-person viewing see if you can access a video walkthrough of the unit you’re interested in. Next, make sure you meet your roommates beforehand to ensure you will be comfortable living with them. Lastly, whatever your budget, you will likely need additional funds if you want to really explore the city and take advantage of what it has to offer. You may also have to order items for your new place that you never thought of once you get settled in.