Testimonials: Learners from Care

Hear from students who have been where you are. These students share their highlights and takeaways from their time at Laurier and offer advice for youth in care who are considering Laurier.

Troy

Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminology and minor in Philosophy

Highlight / Takeaway from Time at Laurier

Hi, I'm Troy! I've been in care since I was 12 years old. I graduated from Laurier in 2019, with an Honours Bachelor of Arts majoring in Criminology and a Philosophy minor. I currently work as a dispatcher for the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police. I love my job and the people I work with. I enjoyed a lot of things at Laurier, and the major lesson I learned was how to put myself out there, growing my confidence and leadership skills.

Advice for Youth in Care Considering Laurier

If I had a piece of advice for incoming students, it would be to get involved! Find something you can volunteer for, a group to join, start your own! Look for ways to make Laurier a place like home, not just a school, and it'll make everything easier. Best of luck!

Elizabeth

Bachelor of Social Work, Laurier; Master of Social Work, University of Toronto

Highlight / Takeaway from Time at Laurier

One highlight and takeaway from my experience at Laurier Brantford is being involved in the student community and student experience. I attended the Laurier Brantford Campus which was a unique experience because it’s a smaller campus in comparison to the Laurier Waterloo campus, amongst other characteristics, however, being involved in the student community had a significant impact on my overall post-secondary experience. My involvement in the student community and extracurricular activities were beneficial to my well-being (i.e. self-esteem, self-care, skills, etc.) and academic performance, while it also allowed me the opportunity to connect with and learn from different people (i.e. students, professors, community, etc.) within the Laurier community. I believe experience is the best teacher as it provides us with invaluable knowledge and understanding of ourselves and others, that can only be gained by being involved. My involvement in the Bachelor of Social Work Association, World University Service of Canada, Leaf Cultural Exchange, and Black Student Collective to name a few Laurier student groups taught me a lot about personal perspective, culture, and values and how they are shaped by life experience. As we continue to adapt to a virtual learning environment, it may feel difficult to get involved and connect with others online, but through your time at Laurier, you can explore and create experiential learning and networking opportunities that can be life changing.

Advice for Youth in Care Considering Laurier

If I could offer one piece of advice for other youth in care considering Laurier University or any other post-secondary institution, it would be to, first and foremost, be proud of yourself, be proud of your growth and your commitment to higher education. Take this opportunity to smile knowing that you will continue to flourish. Your success and resilience are inspiring and the efforts to support you in higher education are available and continue to be developed. It is important to research, ask questions and learn about the programs and initiatives available to you that may provide financial, educational, employment, and mental health supports. In your educational journey, don’t be afraid to reach out to prospective school’s student service coordinators and ask how they can support you as a youth in care/ former youth in care.