Noor Rahmeh

ACE students prepare to Paint the Town Red

Nicolle Wahl

On July 1, as Canadians don red-and-white outfits and prepare to celebrate the 150th anniversary of our nation, more than 200 international students will move into residence at UTM—then spend their first evening in Canada at the Canada Day 150 celebrations in Port Credit.

The students are part of the summer Academic Culture and English (ACE) program, which brings students with conditional acceptance to campus for eight weeks over the summer to improve their English proficiency.

ACE provides intensive immersion in English Canadian language and culture, and at the end of the program, students can complete the internationally-recognized International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

Noor Rahmeh is a residence don and program assistant who works directly with the ACE students. Rahmeh, who is going into her fourth year in the management specialist program, is originally from Dubai, and this is her own first experience with Canada Day celebrations.

“I’m excited to dress up in red and white and see everyone celebrating. I really love Canada—now that I’ve lived here, I want to stay here.”

After a welcome BBQ at residence, Rahmeh and the ACE students will travel to the Paint the Town Red Day celebrations at Mississauga’s Port Credit Memorial Park, where they can experience Canadian fare like beaver tails and poutine, listen to live music and stay for the evening fireworks.

“We wanted the students to have this experience to make it a more welcoming environment where they are immersed right into it,” says Rahmeh. “Everyone’s getting Canadian hats, so we’ll all feel like a part of the celebrations.”