St. Mary’s University: Student life on campus

Best place for a nap: Second floor of the Patrick Power LibraryBest cheap lunch: Basha Restaurant on Inglis StreetBest hangover breakfast:Mary’s Place Cafe II on Spring Garden RoadFavourite campus food: Husky Burger at the Gorsebrook LoungeFavourite watering hole: NicheBest giveaways: Free razorsPerks: Everything is close byWhere to live: South EndBest place to study: The public library on Spring Garden RoadWorst place to study: The atrium and the first floor of the Patrick Power LibraryCoolest electives: Soccer: A History of Brazil; Culture of BollywoodMost notorious transit route:No. 29Best campus events: Therapy dogs dayOfficial school motto: ‘Age quod agis’ (‘What you
do, do well’)Best live music venue: Lower DeckBest spectator sport: HockeyMost original social event: Movie Night on the SMU field during Welcome WeekBest cultural event: International Night

PROFILE: Saint Mary’s University | Halifax, N.S. | Founded 1802

University Insider: Sehmat Suri, 21, Psychology and Marketing

The red-brick walls of Vanier Residence welcomed me to Saint Mary’s University. I had arrived in Canada three days before from the fiery 35-degree heat of summer in India. In my opinion, the 15-degree Haligonian fall felt biting. I was anxious about what this small school on the east coast of Canada could offer me, but I’ve since had any doubts cleared.

Making another country your home can be daunting, but the close-knit community of 7,100 students made the transition seamless. As a student living in residence, I can get an extra half-hour of sleep before class because it takes just five minutes to get from one end of the one-block campus to the other. The best part is that I don’t even have to go outside! Pedways are a blessing for individuals like me who start wearing their winter jackets in October. All of our buildings, except for three, are interconnected, so I can wear shorts to class in February if I please.

The relatively small student body means that professors, staff and students alike become familiar faces. Be prepared to say “Hi!” to a couple of people every time you walk down a hallway. A small population gives the advantage of manageable class sizes, so you have the utmost attention of excellent instructors. Every one of my professors knows my name and is happy to chat, whether it’s about my grades or the fireworks on Canada Day.
SMU offers the feeling of community living in a global setting. An internationally respected business program, one of the Huffington Post’s “Coolest Classes” and one of Canada’s most diverse student populations call SMU their home. All it takes is a taste of what the Huskies have to offer. Once you’ve had it, there’s no going back.

ExtrasSMU may be one of the oldest universities in Canada, but it has some amazing new things on the go—like having the world’s first Twitter-controlled observatory. Getting involved in any of the 100 societies is a fun way to get to know SMU. Residence Life organizes dozens of events annually to help students build a community in their new home. Those passionate about new cultures and languages can do a semester abroad through the International Activities Office, a French immersion program in Quebec or an archaeological dig in Italy. Whatever your interests, SMU’s got something for you to dip your toes into.

Local VibeHalifax, with its vibrant history and diverse culture, lies in the lap of nature. SMU is in the heart of the city, a 15-minute walk from the waves on the Halifax Boardwalk and a 10-minute jaunt from the woods of Point Pleasant Park. Haligonians feel deep pride in their food industry, so being a short bus ride from the restaurants and bars of downtown Halifax makes it easy to grab a delicious bite with your friends on the weekend. From Citadel Hill to the haunted church on Argyle Street, Halifax has interesting stories to tell.

The SkinnyCheck out DiscoverHalifaxNS.com for the lowdown.