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An Clachan is Gaelic for “small village”, and recently student residents of Queen’s An Clachan apartment complex celebrated the opening of a new Community Room that will allow for expanded programming that promotes connection and wellbeing.

The new space includes a larger kitchen, a spacious sitting area, games, arts and crafts, and a flexible open area for various activities.

Many of the 400+ tenants are international graduate students and their families who have come to study at Queen’s from more than 20 countries. Their transition to Canada, Kingston, and the university can be particularly challenging and complex. Community Coordinator Amy Okesola and resident Community Assistants work to create a welcoming environment and culture to help facilitate students’ smooth integration to the campus and local communities.

“We are excited to increase the amount, size, and types of programming we can co-create with the residents of An Clachan,” says Ms. Okesola. “We are planning new cooking classes and communal meals in the renovated kitchen, as well as screenings and presentations thanks to new projector equipment. We are expanding our drop-in hours, for students and family members to meet up, learn, collaborate, and connect with resources. We will also continue to partner with local agencies, including Immigrant Services of Kingston and Area and KEYS Employment Centre, to ensure we are offering holistic support to our students and families.”

Elham Yousefinejad, PhD’23, has lived with her son in An Clachan for six years. She says the expanded Community Room represents the unity and support felt among its residents.

“When I first arrived in this community, I was an international student without any friends or family by my side. It wasn't an easy journey, as I knew very little about navigating the system and surviving in Canada as a newcomer student,” she says. “However, An Clachan quickly became my first home and transformed into a centre of support, friendship, and inspiration. Here, I studied, played, laughed, and cried, and with each step I took within An Clachan, I discovered the true meaning of community.”

Serving as a place of welcome and engagement, the new Community Room advances the Sustainability and Stewardship pillar of the university’s new Global Engagement Strategy, as well as the Campus Wellness Framework’s “Places” area of focus.

“Community-building spaces across Student Affairs support our commitment to inclusion and wellbeing, and help enable all students to feel a sense of belonging,” says Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney, who cut the ribbon at the opening event. “I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone involved with this project, the An Clachan and Community Housing team, and our campus and community partners, who contribute to making An Clachan such a unique and welcoming place.”