ÃÈÃÃÉçÇø

Over the summer of 2025, Laveeza Naeem, along with Yifan Zhang, had the opportunity to be Summer Interns at Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. My role was within Housing and Residence Life, where I supported updating various training modules from an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) perspective.

This international exchange initiative between the University of Toronto and Western Michigan University was established by Dr. Ramona Lewis (WMU) and Dr. David Kim (UofT). As part of her generous hospitality, Dr. Lewis welcomed us into her home for a wonderful dinner, followed by an opportunity to mingle and enjoy paddleboarding together. With Michigan’s abundance of lakes, we were fortunate to experience stand-up paddleboarding for the first time. It was not only a memorable outdoor culture experience in Michigan, but also a refreshing way to stretch our bodies and enjoy nature. 

What stood out to me the most during this experience was how the WMU team truly met us where we were in our professional journeys. They took the time to get to know us, welcomed us into important meetings related to campus operations, included us in team activities such as Juneteenth, and facilitated connections across departments through coffee chats that allowed us to explore the campus culture more deeply.

Coming into this internship with prior experience in higher education, primarily from my role at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC), I found myself reflecting on the similarities and differences between the two institutions. While both campuses support a comparable number of students, I noticed key distinctions between the Canadian and American contexts, from campus politics and student unions to the use of physical spaces, event policies, and much more. This cross-campus comparison not only highlighted differences but also created opportunities for two-way learning, where I could both contribute my own insights and learn from WMU’s approaches.

The biggest takeaway from this journey at WMU is, above all,a people-centered institution. By this, I mean that the culture extends beyond being student-centered, as it ensures that parents, staff, student workers, and even interns, like myself, are included, valued, and given opportunities to learn, contribute, and shine.

Laveeza Naeem

I had the opportunity to join the Study Abroad team at Western Michigan University. From the very beginning, what impressed me most was the team's openness. Rather than viewing me only as an intern, they welcomed me as a colleague, inviting me into staff meetings, office conversations, and informal discussions about the direction of study abroad programs. These experiences allowed me to appreciate the complexity of how global engagement is managed in higher education, from institutional strategy to the daily realities of advising students.

Coming from the University of Toronto, I noticed both similarities and differences. Both campuses serve diverse student populations, yet I came to understand that the US context presents unique dynamics, whether in terms of policy frameworks, student mobility trends, or the role of faculty in shaping study abroad initiatives. These comparisons encouraged me to reflect on my own professional development and deepened my appreciation of how institutional culture influences international education.

What I valued most was the strong emphasis on collaboration and mentorship. Colleagues consistently took the time to share their experiences with me while also encouraging me to contribute my own perspectives as an international graduate student from Canada. This exchange of ideas created a reciprocal learning environment, reminding me that global education is shaped as much by people and relationships as it is by programs and policies.

One of the most valuable lessons I gained from my experience at WMU is that professional growth thrives in an environment built on trust and inclusion. I left with the sense that I had not only learned from others but also made meaningful contributions to the team. This feeling of belonging, mutual respect, and sustained professional connections is something I will carry forward as I continue my journey in the field of higher education.

Yifan Zhang