“Belonging is not just handed to anyone: it is built.”

“TWU may be known for its rich community, but for us commuters, that community can feel like something observed from the outside.”

Sitting in 45 minutes of rush hour traffic to get from Abbotsford to TWU, stressing over finding an empty parking spot and barely making it to class. This is often the daily routine of a commuter. As the semester goes on, the routine will start to feel more transactional than anything. TWU may be known for its rich community, but for us commuters, that community can feel like something observed from the outside. 

It should be noted that there are well intentioned spaces for commuters, such as the collegiums, chapel and TWUSA lounge. For example, the four collegiums located around campus offer a place to study, eat or meet other commuters. Past events, such as speed dating at the West Coast Collegium, are evidence of the effort being made by TWU students. However, these spaces lack something; they are a place to visit, not places to call home. Commuters use them as pit stops between classes. It is like having a layover at Toronto Pearson International Airport right before getting on your next flight. Although made with great intentions, these places do not carry a sense of home.

For us commuters, it can feel like the dormitories are where lasting memories are made. There students learn each other’s names, their favourite snacks and even the sound of their alarm clock! They are fortunate enough to have late-night conversations while sharing meals and even taking part in “dorm dates.” For us commuters, these moments are a little more difficult to come by. Names are forgotten, and meals are not so affordable. For instance, you can tell my name is Emma just by looking at the author of this piece. Do you know what I look like? Most likely not. After all, I am a commuter. Like many of us, I know how difficult it can be to feel truly connected to campus life.  

But where does this disconnect stem from? TWU has made many efforts to include commuters, and their efforts are greatly appreciated. Thus, I believe the real question arises when looking at the commuters themselves. It is easy to fall into the habit of arriving, sitting through a lecture and leaving. This mindset may be easy; however, it makes it harder to feel truly connected to campus life.  

Now this house may not feel like a home; but that is just a mindset. Belonging is not just handed to anyone: it is built. It is built by stepping outside comfort zones and choosing to engage. Ask for someone’s name and actually remember it. If you see someone from your previous class, go and say hi. Stop by the TWUSA lounge, the Mars’ Hill office, or the Pillar office and introduce yourself—we all love to chat! Better yet, join something!  

At times TWU may feel like a house for many commuters—a place to go. Thus, the real challenge is finding ways to turn such fleeting moments into real connections—to make the campus feel less like a house and more like your home.