About the QueensEvents Student Initiative
I always heard about events after they happened...
When I came back from a full-year exchange, I had no idea what was happening at Queen's.
A lot of my friends thought I had transferred schools because I was gone for so long, so I didn't get invited to events on Facebook anymore.
It was winter in Kingston (yuck!) and I was having a hard time going outside, or even making it to my classes. I was experiencing depression, but I didn't know it yet.
I'm happiest when I'm outside
I'm outgoing, and I consider myself a life-long learner. In first and second year, I enjoyed going to speaker series and film screenings that I heard about through my department.
Turns out, if you know where to look, there are tons of events going on every week on-campus and in Kingston: a public lecture by an astronaut, my favourite band performing only a block from my house, a cross-campus Capture the Flag game, a round-table discussion with local politicians, a leadership camp, an open-call audition, a fashion show… and so much more!
What I've learned
My mental health improved once I started finding out about events. Your time at Queen's will be over before you know it, so there's no time like the present to try something new.
Sign-up for an event, and go to it! Taking the first step to register for an event is so important.
Every event I've ever been to has been amazing - the conversations I've had, the topics I learned about, the connections I've made... Every time I choose to go to an event, instead of staying home, I have an epic time!
Making Kingston feel like home
Starting QueensEvents.ca has changed my experience in Kingston for the better and it's also the main reason I decided to stay in the city upon graduation.
Once you see the side of Kingston that I see, I know that you'll love it too!
Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @queensevents or by email to queensevents@live.ca anytime. I'd love to connect!
Yours in events,
Sarah Witiuk, founder of QueensEvents.ca