Defining Home: An Immigrant Perspective on Kamloops

North Tower, on campus Housing at Thompson Rivers University. The first home for many international students in Kamloops. | *Amira Alam, Thompson Rivers University*

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 many people over time. Today, Kamloops continues to welcome people from around the world.

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) reflects this diversity. As of 2025, the university hosts 8,035 international students – online and in-person – who make up approximately 28 per cent of the student population. Students at TRU come from 118 different countries, bringing a wide range of perspectives, traditions, and experiences to campus.

With people arriving from so many different places, the idea of “home” can become complicated. Many students leave their families and support systems behind to pursue opportunities in Canada, often arriving alone and having to build a new sense of community and belonging. For international students and immigrants in Kamloops, defining home is not always straightforward.

International students at TRU, Lee Weber and Mohammadhosein Hasanpour, along with alumnus Imtiaj Hossain Chowdhury, shared their perspectives on what home means to them and how they experience life in Kamloops.

For Canadian readers, their stories offer a moment for reflection on the values that shape our communities. Cultural norms and everyday behaviours are noticed and experienced by newcomers. While Canada is often described as a welcoming country known for the kindness of its people, challenges remain. Many immigrants still encounter discrimination even as they pursue the opportunities that brought them here.

Immigrants bring vibrancy, knowledge, and culture with them. Taking time to acknowledge the neighbour beside you or the classmate sitting next to you can open the door to new perspectives. Conversations and shared experiences help communities grow stronger. The people interviewed for this story are individuals I encounter in my day-to-day life. Their voices are a reminder that immigrants are not outsiders to our communities — they are part of them.