I am Rhoda Ajadi. I am from Nigeria, my program is Economics and I love to watch movies for fun!
Moving to a new city can be exciting, but it can also take some time to feel comfortable, especially when you are still getting used to university life. Toronto is a big city with so many places to explore, but it is easy to spend most of your time around campus and miss out on what the city has to offer.
Our neighbourhood exploration trip to Chinatown and Kensington Market was a good opportunity for me to get out and to explore somewhere totally different from what I was used to and to also learn a lot more about Toronto.
Exploring Chinatown
We started our trip in Chinatown and the first thing I noticed was how incredibly busy the streets were. There were grocery stores selling fresh fruits, vegetables and ingredients I do not usually see in other stores. There were also so many restaurants and small shops along the streets. I even got to try a churro for the first time!
Walking around the neighbourhood gave me a chance to see a totally different side of Toronto, and I realized that even though I had already spent a considerable amount of time in the city, there were still so many places I had not properly explored.
Checking out Kensington Market
After Chinatown, we visited Kensington Market, which had a really different atmosphere. The area was full of colourful murals, small independent shops and some really interesting businesses.
I really liked how the neighbourhood felt more relaxed, and there was always something to catch my attention as we walked around. It was nice to explore an area that felt different from the busy streets and shopping centers I was used to seeing.
Food was a really big and exciting part of the experience. We all got to see different food options and to also try food from various different cultures. The thing I found most interesting was how many different kinds of food were available in such small area! It made me realize that experiencing different cultures does not always mean travelling to another country; we can do it in the comfort of our city, too.
My key takeaways
Another thing I enjoyed was spending time with other students outside the classroom. University can sometimes feel like it is all about attending lectures, completing assignments and studying for tests. Having an activity like this gave me the chance to relax, talk and get to know others.
Activities like group neighbourhood explorations are really helpful for students who are still adjusting to university and trying to find their place in a new environment.
Now, I also liked that we could explore both neighbourhoods without needing to spend too much money. There were different shops to look around, affordable food options and a lot of things to see just by walking through the streets. As university student, I know very well that finding fun things to do on a budget is important, and it was nice to realize that enjoying Toronto does not always have to involve spending a lot of money.
Overall, I just really enjoyed going on the exploration because it gave me a chance to experience parts of Toronto that I might not have visited otherwise. The trip also reminded me that taking the time to explore the city and spending time with other students can make the university experience more enjoyable. Since there are still many places in Toronto I have never visited, I would like to explore more neighbourhoods whenever I get the chance.
If you are looking for something fun to do, keep an eye out for upcoming neighbourhood exploration trips!