The U of M International Centre’s (IC) Meet the IC event on Jan. 7 highlighted winter clothing and community support for new students.

Crystal Stewart, the IC international transitions and intercultural program coordinator, shared that the centre always holds this event at the beginning of the fall and winter terms. “We invite all students, but specifically new students, to come.”

Stewart explained that the event goes beyond introductions. It educates students about winter clothing and available resources. “We have all of our winter clothing on display so that we can teach newcomers how to dress properly for the winter,” she said.

A key feature of the event is the winter clothing library, a donation-based program run by the IC. “We rely on people to donate good-condition winter clothes, and then people can shop for free,” Stewart explained.

During the event there were demonstrations of how to dress for cold temperatures, emphasizing layering, wind protection and proper footwear. “Layering is really key. You can always take off layers if you’re too hot, but you can’t add them [while you are out],” Stewart stated.

The display included examples of base layers, thermal shirts, ski pants, jackets, gloves, mitts, scarves, boots and hot hands. Stewart stressed the significance of windproof and waterproof materials, explaining that the wind can make cold temperatures feel harsher. Pointing to thinner outer layers designed to block wind, she noted insulation alone is not always enough. “Although [thin ski pants] won’t give you the insulation and the warmth, it’s still helpful to block the wind, because a lot of the wind chill can be really cutting,” she explained.

Gloves were another major focus. “You want to get something waterproof, or my favourite is the wool-lined leather exterior gloves,” Steward said.

Budgeting was also included in the conversation. “You don’t need to have a $1,000 Canada Goose jacket to be warm enough for this weather,” she said. “If you can’t afford the one you want, look for it on Facebook marketplace, get it used.”

Fopefoluwa Ikufisile, a student volunteer, said he was “helping new students navigate and understand the things they’re going to encounter as a new student.”

Ikufisile wanted students to know how important communication is. “It’s very good to ask questions, don’t keep it to yourself […] and also make friends” he said.

Thakshila Perera, another volunteer, said her own experience as an international student motivated her to help others. “I joined the International Centre as a volunteer for the first time, and so I’m here to help new students [by] describing my winter experience,” Perera explained.

Perera, who is in her fourth year and is from Sri Lanka, said, “When you come here, it will be a nice experience [to] prepare for the winter.”

Stewart explained that Meet the IC is just one of many events offered by the IC. “We started off with orientation on Monday, and we have events every single day for the next couple of weeks and over the next month,” she said.