A Semester of Growth: My Journalism Exchange in Toronto
Toronto, the city of endless horizons and infinite stories. I remember stepping off the plane in August, the humid summer air wrapping around me like a welcome embrace. I was excited, of course, but also nervous — a German journalism student about to begin an exchange semester at TMU Creative School. What would it be like? Would I find my place in this sprawling metropolis? Looking back now, as the semester draws to a close, I can say with certainty that these months in Toronto have been nothing short of transformative.
The Beginning: Shy Steps into a Bold City
I’m not the loudest or most outgoing person — shyness has always been a companion of mine. Moving into HOEM on Jarvis, the bustling student residence I’d call home, felt intimidating. Yet, HOEM had this infectious energy that made it impossible to retreat into a shell. It wasn’t just a place to sleep; it was a hive of connection, creativity, and, most importantly, community.
HOEM hosted events that drew everyone out of their rooms. The most memorable one I attended was a karaoke evening in September. Singing (and rapping) have always been secret hobbies of mine and in the past helped me several times to overcome social barriers. Standing under the spotlight, microphone in hand, my shaky rendition of Eminem´s classic“Lose Yourself” was met with cheers and applause. For the first time, I realized this wasn’t just a group of strangers sharing a building — it was a family in the making.
After a while I also discovered the RAM AND THE RYE Pub, which is the official student Pub of TMU. Every Wednesday Night, after my swimming workout, I went there to perform at the Open Mic. In the beginning I just did karaoke songs, but in the end I even managed to come up with my own lyrics and melodies, forming a band with my good friend Faiyaz.
Adventures Beyond the Classroom
Life at TMU was a whirlwind of academics and exploration. My courses were as challenging as they were eye-opening. Reporting Sports taught me how to turn the chaos of a basketball game into a compelling narrative, while Reporting on Race opened my eyes to stories often overlooked in mainstream media. Through that class, I had the opportunity to discover “Little Jamaica”, a small, but wonderful district, where you could feel kindness and cultural pride like nowhere else. In the end, I was even offered to pitch my heartfelt story to a newspaper like the Toronto Star. The courses on Law & Ethics Journalism and Queer Media gave me tools to approach sensitive topics with respect and accuracy — skills I know I’ll carry with me into my career. This study experience did not just let me grow as a journalist, but as a person as well.
But the semester wasn’t just about classes. Toronto itself became a classroom, and every day was a new lesson. HOEM organized field trips that were as enriching as they were fun. In October, we visited High Park. As we walked beneath the canopy of golden leaves, the crunch of autumn underfoot, I felt a connection not just to nature but to the people around me. It was a day of easy laughter and deep conversations — the kind that builds friendships.
Later that month, we explored the Art Gallery of Toronto. Wandering through the exhibits, I marveled at the works of Indigenous artists and contemporary visionaries. The beauty of Toronto's art scene left an indelible mark on me, inspiring me to approach storytelling with a broader, more inclusive perspective.
November brought another highlight: a trip to the Royal Ontario Museum. From ancient dinosaur fossils to intricate First Nations artifacts, the museum felt like a treasure chest of stories waiting to be told. Standing in front of the towering skeleton of a T-Rex, I couldn’t help but feel small — not in a diminutive way, but in awe of the vastness of history and the narratives it holds.
One of the reasons I chose Toronto in the first place was because of its big sports culture. Later in my career, I intend on becoming a sports journalist. So it was almost a duty to visit the big stadiums here in Toronto. In August, I had the opportunity to see the Blue Jays live in the Rogers Centre and I was somewhat of a lucky charm for them - although the season has not been great so far for the Jays, they ended up winning this game. The atmosphere was absolutely stunning. As a European, I was honestly impressed seeing the North American fan culture live for the first time.
In October I attended a game of Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls. The game ended in a bad way for Toronto, as they lost 1-4 in the end. But for me, it was a great experience again just attending a live soccer game (a sport that I love, by the way) and embracing the sports culture of Toronto.
Growth Through Connection
For someone as introverted as I am, making friends has never been easy. But Toronto, and particularly HOEM, seemed to have this way of breaking down walls. My housemates came from all over the world — Switzerland, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Brazil, Canada itself. Every evening, the building buzzed with life. We cooked together, exchanged music and stories, and even debated everything from politics to pop culture.
One friend I’ll never forget is Umar, whom I became friends with from the moment we first met. We bonded over our love of fighting sports and spent hours discussing our dream projects – me as a writer, him as a fighter. Umar pushed me out of my comfort zone more times than I can count — including convincing me to try boxing myself and joining our own “HOEM Fight club”, where I met many new friends as well and gained a lot of self-confidence.
And then there were the quiet moments. Late-night chats on the upper floors of the building, where the Toronto skyline glittered like a thousand stories waiting to be written. Those moments reminded me that even in a city as big as this, you can find intimacy and connection.
Farewell, For Now
As December rolled around, the reality of leaving began to sink in. Toronto had become a second home, a place where I’d not only learned to be a better journalist but also a braver person. I think back to that shy, uncertain student who arrived in August and marvel at how far I’ve come. I’ve stood in front of a room singing off-key, made friends from across the globe, and found inspiration in the art and culture of one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Leaving HOEM on Jarvis feels bittersweet. It’s more than a residence — it’s been a stage for some of the best memories of my life. From karaoke nights to field trips, from shared meals to solitary moments of reflection, every experience has contributed to my growth.
As I pack my bags and prepare to return to Germany, I carry with me not just the skills I’ve learned at TMU but also the stories and connections that have shaped me. I leave Toronto not just as Paul, the shy journalism student, but as Paul, the storyteller who’s ready to embrace the world with open arms.
And who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll return to this city that taught me so much. Until then, I’ll cherish every memory and look forward to the next chapter of my story.