Are you an incoming first-year international U of T Engineering student? The First Year E-Buddy Program is here to support you with your transition to the Faculty and the University!
E-Buddies are upper-year engineering peer mentors who will provide support by answering questions about life at U of T Engineering, sharing their experiences, and providing information about campus resources. They will also provide informal programming and events to build community amongst international students, as well as provide support through structured workshops and events.
All first-year international* students are eligible to participate in this program. You will receive an email invitation to join the First Year Hub, which launches on Quercus in mid-June. We've gathered lots of great information in the Hub on Quercus to provide you with an overview of the supports and resources that are available to you as you navigate through your first year of studies as an international student.
The E-Buddy program is free for new U of T Engineering international students, and all workshops and meetups are free for registration.
*If you identify as an international student but are a returning Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, you are also eligible to participate in the E-Buddy program. Please reach out to the First Year Office (firstyear@engineering.utoronto.ca) for more information.
2026 E-Buddy Team Bios
Alice Gao (she/her) | Year 3, Engineering Science
Hi everyone, my name is Alice, and I am a third-year student studying Engineering Science at U of T. Outside of school, you will find me in design teams and exploring Toronto with friends. One of my favorite activities is going to Toronto islands during exam season! I also like to draw and 3D print during my free time. I am really excited to be part of E-Buddy this year and share my experiences of transitioning into university. From navigating the TTC to choosing courses, I am here to share what I learned. Can't wait to meet you, and help make that first year a little less scary and a lot more fun!
Vian Dhanda (he/him) | Year 2, Computer Engineering
Hello everyone, my name is Vian, and I'm studying Computer Engineering at U of T. Originally from India, I know firsthand what the big transition to studying in Canada feels like, and I'm thrilled to join the E-Buddy team to share what I've learned with first-year international students. Outside of class, you'll usually find me tinkering with personal coding and hardware projects, following Manchester City, or camped out on the 13th floor of Robarts (especially once midterm season hits!). First year throws a lot at you, but whatever you're nervous about, whether it's navigating courses, finding your footing in the city, or just managing the workload, chances are I've been there too. So reach out anytime, I can't wait to meet you all!
2026 E-Buddy Workshop & Event Schedule
Information Sessions
These sessions will be led by staff members from the First Year Office and U of T Campus partners, such as the Centre for International Experience. These sessions will aim to share important information for new students.
Community Meet-Ups
These online sessions will be led and facilitated by your student mentors. This is a space for you to meet with your peers before classes start while learning directly from upper-year students!
Regional Group Advising Sessions (August)
Led by the First Year Advisors, Intercultural Learning & Experience, these sessions will provide information about program expectations, course planning, academic policies, and most of all, the opportunity to connect with classmates from similar regions!
Schedule coming soon!