Ruqaiya Rahman came to UTM from Bangladesh, drawn by the campus's business offerings and a promise of financial support. When she arrived, she did not know how to use the local transit system or where to buy groceries.
Her roommates helped first. Then her don and residence education facilitator walked her through the basics — grocery runs, winter gear, the things nobody puts in an orientation email.
I'm an international student, but UTM just feels like home away from home.Ruqaiya Rahman
Over four years she moved to the other side of that welcome, working in residence, the International Education Centre and Student Recruitment and Admissions — teaching newly arrived students the things she once had to learn on the fly.
Advice for the Next Arrival
Her advice to students unsure of their path: switching programs, she says, is entirely acceptable. She graduated in 2026 with a Bachelor of Commerce.
Reported from From early struggles to supporting others: How new UTM grad Ruqaiya Rahman found success, by Kate Martin (U of T Alumni News, August 20, 2026).
More from the original reporting: alumni.utoronto.ca/news/early-struggles-supporting-others-how-new-utm-grad-ruqaiya-rahman-found-success