International students and new Canadians hit the ice for the first time in Cambridge
Canadian winters are typically long and frigid. But for many, it’s the best time of year to dust off helmets, sharpen skates and find the nearest rink.
Some international students and new Canadians in did just that on Friday, hitting the ice for the very first time through a free skating program in Cambridge.
“[It’s] kind of exciting to learn something that I feel like is so common here,” said University of Waterloo international student Hawa Patel.
Students embraced the Canadian cold by testing out a Canadian favourite.
“It was a bit scary but I think having someone there to just reassure me was really nice,” Patel said.
Naomi, second from the left, poses with her friend and YNCU volunteers following a free skating event for newcomers and International students at the Cambridge Sports Park on Jan. 27, 2023. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV Kitchener)
Among those getting their first taste of ice skating on Friday was Naomi, who moved to Canada from India in 2019.
“It’s good to embrace this Canadian culture,” Naomi said.
She made the move to Canada to attend Conestoga College. When she heard about a free skating program being offered to international students and new Canadians, she said she couldn’t pass that up.
“When you go to another country, it’s good to learn… I believe in a growth mindset and it’s very good to learn and grow and develop,” Naomi said. “It’s great to embrace Canadian culture, I love it.”
Teaming up with the Cambridge Sports Park, the free skating program called Motivate 2 Skate offers experienced instructors who outline the basics of skating.
“We’ve been looking for ways to welcome new Canadians to the community. So what better way than to introduce them to this favourite pastime and provide them with a judgment free zone to learn how to skate,” said YNCU communications specialist Hannah Johnson.
The free program was first offered in Sault Ste. Marie back in October and after a successful event with 25 people singing up the first day, YNCU decided to expand the program to other areas, including Waterloo region.
“We are very aware there’s a large population of international students in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area, so we decided to do this initiative here and, you know, really give them this new experience,” Johnson said.
Johnson is from Jamaica and said being a part of this program has meant a lot to her.
“It makes me really feel welcome and not so much of an outsider after making such a big move. So it makes me feel more comfortable to own that new Canadian title,” Johnson explained.
The program will run Fridays until March 3 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Cambridge Sports Park. More information is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
What we know about the suspect behind the German Christmas market attack
Germany on Saturday was still in shock and struggling to understand the suspect behind the attack in the city of Magdeburg.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Overheated immigration system needed 'discipline' infusion: minister
An 'overheated' immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Pope Francis reprimands Vatican staff for gossiping in annual Christmas message
Pope Francis told Vatican bureaucrats on Saturday to stop speaking ill of one another, as he once again used his annual Christmas greetings to admonish the backstabbing and gossiping among his closest collaborators.