How I Built My Own Community – Seneca Taiwanese Student Association (STSA)
Everyone has a story, and so does every community.
Have you ever felt completely alone on campus – in a new country, surrounded by people – yet somehow still lost, out of place, and unseen?
This is my story: how I built a community and found a sense of belonging along the way.
A New Beginning
Like many others, I came to Canada with one suitcase, one backpack, and a heart full of hope. It was winter. The snow was unfamiliar, and so was everything else – the language, the food, the culture. Seneca felt huge, and I felt very small.
I didn’t know anyone. I wanted to make friends, but it didn’t happen. Everyone seemed busy. Some rushed off right after class; others didn’t show up at all.
Searching for Connection
People come and go on campus. Most connections faded after just a few conversations. I wasn’t looking for small talk – I was searching for a sense of belonging.
Then something unexpected happened. I fainted during an event and woke up in an ambulance. I had lost consciousness, and for a while, even the ability to speak. After being discharged, I was left with uncertainty and unanswered questions.
That moment changed me. I felt invisible – not just as a patient, but as a person. I missed home. Not just the physical place, but the feeling of being seen, heard, and understood.
So, I began searching for someone who shared even a small piece of my culture – not necessarily the same language, but something familiar.
The Spark
Taiwan – a small, beautiful island with warm and welcoming people. You might not know much about it, but if you’ve ever had bubble tea, that’s us.
In my first year, I met only one other Taiwanese student. She became a close friend, and that made me wonder: how many others like us were out there – scattered, disconnected, unseen?
So, I decided to try something bold. At the next new student orientation, I stayed until the very end and nervously asked the host if I could borrow the mic. I took a deep breath and said, “Is anyone here from Taiwan?”
At first, silence. Then… a few hands slowly went up. That moment changed everything. That was the spark.
Building from Scratch
Honestly, I had no idea how to start a cultural student group. I wasn’t sure I could even represent the Taiwanese community. I don’t speak Taiwanese and I’m not a native Mandarin speaker. But I felt a deep connection and a strong desire to do something meaningful for this underrepresented group.
There were hesitation and doubt – would anyone join? Would anyone trust me?
Still, I took a leap. I reached out to the Taiwan Embassy in Canada – officially known as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) – hoping for a bit of guidance.
To my surprise, an officer called me a few days later. “That’s a brilliant idea,” she said. “We’d love for Seneca to join our Taiwanese student network in Eastern Canada. Seneca will be the first college, joining universities like Toronto, York, McGill, and Waterloo.”
That gave me courage and hope. Soon after, I submitted a proposal and officially launched the Seneca Taiwanese Student Association — the first of its kind in Seneca’s 58-year history.
From One to Many
In the beginning, I organized small events across campuses entirely on my own — Newnham, York, Markham, and even King. (Peterborough was a bit too far – no shuttle!) Often, no one showed up. It was discouraging.
But I didn’t give up. I shared updates on Reddit, WhatsApp, Instagram, and LINE: class reminders, campus news, event info, and glimpses of student life. I even joined off-campus tours waving a small Taiwanese flag, hoping someone might notice – and know they weren’t alone.
One message at a time. One outing at a time. Slowly, people began to connect.
Our First Big Moment
By the second semester, we had nearly 100 members – mostly Taiwanese students – and for the first time, I wasn’t doing it alone. We organized our first major meetup.
We expected maybe 10 students. Then 20 came. Then 30. Then 40. The room overflowed.
That night, we played games, shared stories, and laughed together. It felt like a big family reunion – like coming home.
A Thriving Community
In under a year, we grew to nearly 200 members – not just Taiwanese students, but also others who love Taiwanese culture. We’ve collaborated with clubs, departments, and even local organizations and businesses.
What started as a simple idea became a thriving network of connection, culture, and friendship.
Today, the Seneca Taiwanese Student Association connects current students, alumni, and the local Taiwanese community. And this is just the beginning.
If You’re Still Searching
If you’re still searching for a place to belong – I see you. I hear you.
I hope this becomes the community for you, too – for anyone whose heart belongs to Taiwan or who simply believes in friendship without borders.
You don’t need to be an extrovert or a social butterfly. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to join us. This is a home away from home for you.
Building friendships takes time, but community makes the process easier. You can also explore how connection grows through student activities in “The Power of Connection“.
Media & Content Disclaimer
Media & Content Disclaimer:
All images used in this blog post are sourced from royalty-free platforms and are used for educational purposes. Content was created by the author and edited for clarity and originality in accordance with course guidelines.
Author: Caroline Cheng
Founder & President, Seneca Taiwanese Student Association
Student Ambassador, International Student Support Group