Queer International and New to Canada Students Friday Social

Friday, Oct. 9, 6-8 p.m.

Global Learning Centre (Internationalization Office)

A place to just exist.

Every second Friday of October, November, February, and March, queer and trans international and new-to-Canada students come together in the Internationalization Office Social Room for dinner, conversation, and each other’s company. No agenda, no pressure to explain yourself — just a room where you can show up as you are.

Why This Space Exists

Being an international and new to Canada student is hard. Being queer is hard. Being both, at the same time, often means falling through the gaps between the two support systems built for each one on their own.

Coming out isn’t a one-time event when your family is on another continent. For many students, being open here can carry real risk back home — legally, financially, or relationally.
Isolation doubles. International student spaces often center a straight, cisgender experience. Queer spaces often center domestic students. Where do you go when neither fully sees you?
Your migration story shapes your queerness. Visa dependency, family contact, questions of return — these aren’t side issues, they’re the texture of daily life, and most programming doesn’t hold space for them.
If you’re also Black or racialized, you may be navigating racism within queer spaces and queerphobia within your own community — often without anywhere that holds both at once.

This isn’t a workshop. It’s not advocacy training. It’s a recurring, held space — because sometimes what people need most is simply somewhere to be.

What a Friday Looks Like

6:00–8:00 p.m. | Internationalization Office Social Room

Dinner is usually cooked by Arif, our staff advisor — cooking for people is one of his love languages. With enough notice, some evenings turn into a full potluck where everyone brings something to share.

After that, we follow the room’s energy. Some nights that means:

Board games
Queer movies or TV
Open conversation about life as a queer international student
Talking through queer news and issues from around the world
Reflecting on belonging, joy, desire, family, migration, and home

Feeling adventurous? Some evenings spill out into the city.

Come for ten minutes or stay the whole time! Newly out, questioning, loud and proud, or just figuring it out — you’re welcome here.

RSVP is not required but much appreciated: https://mun.yul1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OPZZ9VvFVwut26

This Fall & Winter: Our Pilot Season

We’re running four themed sessions to test this space and shape what comes next.

Month	Theme	What to Expect
October 9, 2026	Thanksgiving & Kickoff	A staff-cooked dinner, easy introductions, and gratitude for community — no agenda beyond that.
November, 13, 2026	Resilience	A community potluck and honest conversation about surviving distance, migration, and queerphobia — and what keeps joy alive anyway.
February 12, 2027	Alternative Valentine’s Day	A Valentine’s that isn’t just about romance — celebrating chosen family, self-love, and friendship, with games and a shared meal.
March 12, 2027	Being Black, Racialized & Queer	A dedicated space for the experiences of Black and racialized queer international students. Our closing session, with room for feedback on the pilot.

Who’s Welcome

Any queer-identifying international student — undergrad or grad, newly arrived or long-settled, out or private about it. You don’t need to prove or define your queerness to walk through the door.

A Note on Privacy

We know that for many students, visibility carries real risk — with family, with home communities, or with immigration status. This space is confidential: who attends and what’s shared here stays here. No photos or names are used in promotion without direct, individual consent, and no one is ever asked to disclose their identity to be included.

Presented by Internationalization Office

Event Listing 2026-10-09 18:00:00 2026-10-09 20:00:00 America/St_Johns Queer International and New to Canada Students Friday Social A place to just exist. Every second Friday of October, November, February, and March, queer and trans international and new-to-Canada students come together in the Internationalization Office Social Room for dinner, conversation, and each other’s company. No agenda, no pressure to explain yourself — just a room where you can show up as you are. Why This Space Exists Being an international and new to Canada student is hard. Being queer is hard. Being both, at the same time, often means falling through the gaps between the two support systems built for each one on their own. Coming out isn’t a one-time event when your family is on another continent. For many students, being open here can carry real risk back home — legally, financially, or relationally. Isolation doubles. International student spaces often center a straight, cisgender experience. Queer spaces often center domestic students. Where do you go when neither fully sees you? Your migration story shapes your queerness. Visa dependency, family contact, questions of return — these aren’t side issues, they’re the texture of daily life, and most programming doesn’t hold space for them. If you’re also Black or racialized, you may be navigating racism within queer spaces and queerphobia within your own community — often without anywhere that holds both at once. This isn’t a workshop. It’s not advocacy training. It’s a recurring, held space — because sometimes what people need most is simply somewhere to be. What a Friday Looks Like 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Internationalization Office Social Room Dinner is usually cooked by Arif, our staff advisor — cooking for people is one of his love languages. With enough notice, some evenings turn into a full potluck where everyone brings something to share. After that, we follow the room’s energy. Some nights that means: Board games Queer movies or TV Open conversation about life as a queer international student Talking through queer news and issues from around the world Reflecting on belonging, joy, desire, family, migration, and home Feeling adventurous? Some evenings spill out into the city. Come for ten minutes or stay the whole time! Newly out, questioning, loud and proud, or just figuring it out — you’re welcome here. RSVP is not required but much appreciated: https://mun.yul1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OPZZ9VvFVwut26 This Fall & Winter: Our Pilot Season We’re running four themed sessions to test this space and shape what comes next. Month Theme What to Expect October 9, 2026 Thanksgiving & Kickoff A staff-cooked dinner, easy introductions, and gratitude for community — no agenda beyond that. November, 13, 2026 Resilience A community potluck and honest conversation about surviving distance, migration, and queerphobia — and what keeps joy alive anyway. February 12, 2027 Alternative Valentine’s Day A Valentine’s that isn’t just about romance — celebrating chosen family, self-love, and friendship, with games and a shared meal. March 12, 2027 Being Black, Racialized & Queer A dedicated space for the experiences of Black and racialized queer international students. Our closing session, with room for feedback on the pilot. Who’s Welcome Any queer-identifying international student — undergrad or grad, newly arrived or long-settled, out or private about it. You don’t need to prove or define your queerness to walk through the door. A Note on Privacy We know that for many students, visibility carries real risk — with family, with home communities, or with immigration status. This space is confidential: who attends and what’s shared here stays here. No photos or names are used in promotion without direct, individual consent, and no one is ever asked to disclose their identity to be included. Global Learning Centre (Internationalization Office) Internationalization Office