June 20, 2024 - International and domestic students alike are familiar with Alice Aol, Student Coordinator with the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO) and her infectious personality. Alice is a third-year student who has spent her short time in Canada celebrating culture and creating a sense of community for herself.
After graduating from high school in Gulu, Uganda during the pandemic, Alice started her studies online at Laurentian before moving to Sudbury for in-person classes. Pursuing higher education in Canada was important to Alice. “Back home in Uganda, it is not common for a girl to finish high school or university. Seeing my fellow Africans here and also aiming to finish school is what motivates me to keep going.”
Reflecting on her time in Sudbury so far, Alice said, “Just one year is enough to feel like Laurentian is home.” Coming from a larger city, Alice was excited to live in Sudbury, a community she describes as calm and connected. Alice is looking forward to exploring the natural beauty of Sudbury more this summer.
The relationships she has developed with her professors and friends from her classes motivates her each day. “Being far away from home is challenging. Laurentian is a very diverse school where I am able to meet other people who have the same type of beginnings, where we are coming miles away from home to a completely new place. Meeting new friends has helped me a lot and I want to contribute to making this experience away from home brighter for others as well,” said Alice.
Alice has made connections with other students through her role as a Student Coordinator with the EDHRO. As Student Coordinator, Alice collaborates with events and programming on-campus.
Alice took the lead in planning many of the Black History Month events at Laurentian, such as surprising the community with a dance flash mob during the Cultural Day event. Kayla Deschatelets, EDHRO Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support Coordinator, says that Alice’s contributions were instrumental in the success of the celebrations. “Alice has been a real asset to our team. She is friendly and helpful and always willing to take on a passion project. She truly contributed to the success of Black History Month on campus,” said Kayla.
In March, Alice helped with the planning of Holi for the Laurentian community. Holi is a Hindu celebration of color and spring. “Students came to us at EDHRO saying they missed home and wanted to host an event celebrating Holi. We all worked hard to coordinate the event and a lot of people showed up. They loved it,” said Alice. She says that she is proud to be a part of a community that celebrates and appreciates diversity.
Alice is a natural fit with the Laurentian University’s African Caribbean Students Association (LUACSA), which she has been a member of since arriving at Laurentian. LUACSA’s goal is to create a home for students who are far away from home, while also providing opportunities for students to explore the different countries, cultures, and backgrounds in Africa and the Caribbean. “LUACSA is not only for African and Caribbean students, it is a community for people to gain knowledge from others and bring knowledge from their own,” said Alice.
Now an executive member of the LUACSA team as Communications Executive, Alice has assisted with many successful LUACSA events, such as movie nights showcasing African or Caribbean culture. “To me, being in LUACSA allows me to share my ideas, to talk about home freely, to learn more from my fellow peers, and see another country from another person’s point of view,” said Alice.
An outgoing leader and advocate, Alice has found her place within the Laurentian community and continues to improve the quality of life for her fellow students on campus.