Our Mission
Welcome to our page, amplifying the real immigration experiences of students at TRU and beyond.
For many students at TRU Kamloops, immigration plays a significant role in their academic experience, but it is frequently more difficult than it seems. International students encounter a complicated system that includes lengthy processing timeframes, unclear student visa criteria, and ambiguity regarding permanent residency (PR), even if studying in Canada offers worthwhile opportunities. In the hopes of establishing a future in Canada, many students devote years of time, money, and emotional energy to their studies, only to run across obstacles like delays, rejections, or abrupt policy changes. Mental health and financial stability can be severely impacted by the strain of upholding legal status, renewing permits, and juggling academic obligations with immigration requirements. Beyond the success tales, immigration has a darker side that includes emotions of insecurity, exploitation, and false information. In addition to offering factual information and a friendly environment for TRU students navigating the reality of the immigration system, this webpage seeks to increase awareness of these concerns.
Latest Stories
Balancing Books and Paychecks: How Summer Jobs Shape the International Student Experience
The transition from winter classes to a summer job is an important and often challenging period for international students. During the winter semester, students are primarily focused on academics, managing assignments, exams, and adapting to colder weather, which can be especially difficult for those coming from warmer climates. However, when summer arrives, the focus shifts…
PHP Dialogues gives student work a platform beyond the classroom
Most student writing stays where it begins, in the classroom. At Thompson Rivers University, PHP Dialogues offers another path. The student-run publication, supported by faculty in Philosophy, Politics, and History, creates space for ideas to move further, beyond assignments, beyond grading, and into a wider academic conversation. Each issue is shaped by a team of…
Colour & Comfort: Celebrating Holi in Kamloops
On March 29, Kamloops gathered at Riverside Park to celebrate The Rang De Basanti 2026 Holi Festival of Colours. Hosted by the Kamloops Indian Club, the event went beyond just its bright colours, showcasing Indian culture through food, music, and dance, with live DJs energizing the crowd. The Hindi phrase Rang De Basanti – meaning…
New Country, New Opportunities: How International Students Can Thrive at Thompson Rivers University
By: Alfred Kahwa As an international student, relocating to Canada can be thrilling, but it can also feel daunting at first. Students have a fantastic opportunity to experience a different culture and environment while receiving a top-notch education at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). International students can successfully settle in and make the most of their…
Hidden in Plain Sight: TRU’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy
Walk across the Thompson Rivers University campus and you’ll find spaces for almost everything. Lecture halls for learning. Libraries for studying. Cafeterias for conversation between classes. But some places serve a quieter purpose. Tucked away on campus is the TRU Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, a space where students can speak with a chaplain, reflect, or simply take…
Defining Home: An Immigrant Perspective on Kamloops
The settler name Kamloops derives from the Secwépemc word Tk̓emlúps, meaning “where the rivers meet.” Beyond the literal meeting of the North and South Thompson rivers, Kamloops has long been a gathering place for many cultures and communities. Built on the unceded, ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation, Secwepemcúĺecw, the city has been home to…
Land Acknowledgement
Thompson Rivers University acknowledges the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
(Kamloops campus) within Secwépemc’ulucw, reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. TRU also acknowledges the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Tŝilhqot’in, Nuxalk, and Dakelh Peoples, on whose traditional territories we are privileged to live, work, and play. Through our work we are committed to incorporate Indigenous epistemologies, pedagogies and ontologies into our actions and understandings, supporting decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization.