YouAlberta
By now you probably know about all the fun and literal games that await you at Green and Gold Day (and that sweet, sweet Hoodie Sale), but Green and Gold Day is also a time to celebrate and reflect on the role you play in the U of A community. It’s hard not feel proud when you’re donning a U of A sweater and cheering on your peers in the parade or the dodgeball game.
In honour of Green and Gold Day on September 13, 2019, our new 2019–2020 YouAlberta Team shared their thoughts about their own experiences as part of the U of A Community.
“The community at the University of Alberta is like no other. I’ve been at this University for the last five years and I honestly think of it as my second home. It is a place where I immediately felt safe and comfortable. This community is inclusive and I feel like I belong. Being part of this community means supporting one another in good times and hard times, welcoming newcomers into the community, and being proud to be part of this community!”
- Azra
“The U of A community is a vibrant and exciting space that I feel motivated to contribute to. I love being part of a community that values integrity, innovation and critical thought, aspects which make me feel a strong sense of pride to be a part of the university community. On campus, some of the most meaningful experiences have been with professors and instructors who have encouraged and supported me throughout my degree in ways that extend beyond solely my academic future and contribute to my personal development. I hoped to gain both a community of knowledge
and of exciting opportunities on and off campus, which I feel the U of A has given me.”
- Anusha
“I recall the first semester on the University of Alberta as a mix of overwhelming excitement and nervousness. The best part was that regardless of which part of campus I was, I would always find unique, diverse individuals that I could share a laugh with. Now that I am nearing the end of my time at the university, I feel a sense of appreciation for the small things that made my experience memorable. Whether it was joining a student group like the Health Sciences Students’ Association or sitting on the council for SU, I started to see how each of these experiences helped shape who I am today.
Green and Gold day helps reinforce the university’s impact on each and every one of us. One particular event I would recommend students to attend is the Green and Gold Day parade. The parade is full of energy, colour, and music that draws people in from all over campus. It’s about bringing people together regardless of their backgrounds, and reminding everyone that we are one.”
- Sandy
“I started studying at the U of A in 2018, and ever since that day I’ve been a part of a whole new journey towards discovering myself. As an engineering student, I’ve not just explored my passion for computers but also I’ve discovered my writing, tutoring, and leadership interests. And this is what I expected when I became a part of the U of A: to discover myself. Being a part of the U of A community has made me understand who I am as a person and it has made me work towards who I want to be. The community has given me numerous opportunities to explore myself, work on myself, and connect with different kinds of people. I cherish being a part of the U of A every day.”
- Gurbani
“Being part of the U of A Community was not something I was too concerned about when I first started university, but has become a very important part of my university experience. The U of A community has become a place where I am free to be myself while also sharing my university experience with amazing individuals that definitely make 8 am classes a little easier. When I first started at the U of A, I was both excited and anxious about meeting new people, but thankfully the community here is extremely welcoming and I now feel a strong sense of camaraderie with my peers. While I have not participated in Green and Gold day in previous years, this year I am looking forward to stepping out of my shell and being a part of the celebration!”
- Francine
“Being a part of the U of A Community means not only making life-long friends but also being challenged to do incredible things. It means developing relationships with professors who push me and challenge me to become a better academic and a stronger person. I had hoped, when I was first starting my undergrad, that I would get a taste of what real researcher was like. In my second year I won a research grant to work with a professor on a project I developed. This allowed me to experience what my field could be like as an academic and to develop a relationship with one of the professors in my department. It was extremely hard (I had to learn a language in 6 weeks!) but it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.”
- Laura
“ In my first year as an undergrad, seven years ago, I hoped to learn more about people and how I could help them. Being part of the U of A community through being active with my department and with campus mental health advocacy groups, helped me to achieve that and more. I also learned about myself and how to care for myself through that process. Most importantly, I forged lifelong connections with friends from class, volunteering, and with my professors as well. As a current graduate student, I’m involved with both graduate and undergraduate initiatives because I want UAlberta students to also have the opportunity to create those deep connections during their time here. I’ve always enjoyed stopping by the Green and Gold Day while wearing a fresh Hoodie Sale sweater.”
- Alex
“I graduated from a very small high school, there were around twelve of us in most of my classes. So, naturally, being part of the U of A community makes me feel like I am finally part of something big. At the beginning of my student career at the University, I found it overwhelming to figure out how to get involved (there were so many options, it almost seem like too many), but when I figured it out it was the best feeling ever. For me it was research! I started to volunteer in a psychology lab and everything just clicked, I was actively contributing to a field I was interested in and meeting people that shared similar interests.”
- Valentina
“To me, being a student at the U of A means joining a community of inspired people. Each year I return to campus, I feel like I’m simultaneously at home and queued up on a NASA launching pad. I never know what the year will hold, but I continue to meet people with wonderfully diverse goals and backgrounds. Joining clubs and associations across campus has helped me feel a sense of belonging and momentum throughout my degree.”
- Freya
For all the details on Green and Gold Day, visit the Green and Gold Day website.Green and Gold Day website.
What Green and Gold Day, or UAlberta, moments stand out for you? Let us know in the comments below!
