Anticipation and big dreams: Meet 5 new U of T students

Incoming students at the University of Toronto are excited for the challenges ahead – and for the many opportunities that will shape their experiences. 

From Halifax to Astana, Kazakhstan, they’ve each travelled their own path to U of T, but share a sense of anticipation as they begin their studies this fall. 

U of T News spoke to five new students ahead of the school year to learn why they chose U of T, what they’re most looking forward to and how they’re preparing for the journey ahead. 

Ioana Jora applied to the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing’s bachelor of science in nursing program because of its academic reputation, supportive faculty and hands-on clinical placements at leading hospitals. 

“I was especially drawn to how the content of the lectures and simulation labs directly aligns with the areas of specialization we'll be working in during our clinical placements,” she says. 

Originally from Romania and having lived in Waterloo, Ont., Jora completed a degree in biomedical science at the University of Guelph in 2024. When she was considering her next steps, a visit to U of T and the nursing faculty’s facilities “really sealed the deal,” she says.

She’s looking forward to building on her human sciences background and gaining real-world patient care experience. 

“My goal has always been to work in a hands-on capacity in health care, so I'm very excited to gain this experience in some of Canada's top hospitals through U of T's clinical placements.” 

Outside the classroom, Jora is eager to explore Toronto – walking, biking and tasting her way through the city.

Atharv Mahajan will be attending U of T Mississauga, pursuing a finance specialist degree – and possibly a double major in finance and theatre. 

His passion for theatre began in Grade 11 during a drama class assignment to perform monologues. From that moment, theatre became a way to find belonging.  

“Growing up, I moved across several countries and homes, and when I first arrived in Canada, I often felt isolated because of my accent,” says Mahajan, who moved to Halifax from Bangalore, India, where he lived until age 14. “Drama class gave me a place to express myself freely.”  

After relocating to Mississauga and exploring the U of T Mississauga campus, Mahajan says he knew it was the right fit. In particular, he appreciated the greenery surrounding the buildings and the kindness of the people he met – not to mention the opportunity to pursue both finance and theatre.

Looking ahead, he’s eager to meet new people and dive into campus life. 

“I believe people lead us to opportunities and I want to stay open, flexible and ready to be part of everything that comes my way.” 

Alina Zholaman, a Lester B. Pearson Scholarship recipient, is enrolled in co-op management at U of T Scarborough. She describes herself as a “tech enthusiast, robotics nerd and education advocate.” 

Originally from Astana, Kazakhstan, Zholaman says she chose U of T because of its strong commitment to “equity, diversity, inclusion, access and belonging.”

“As someone who always thinks about inclusivity when creating projects – whether that’s designing educational courses for students from vulnerable communities, tutoring kids with special educational needs, or helping create safe spaces for girls – this really resonated with me,” she says.

Zholaman has served as executive director of Kazakhstan Smart Space, a leading international tech initiative. She also coded artificial intelligence (AI) models for Green Basket, a food waste reduction app designed to cut household CO2 emissions – a project that earned her recognition on national television in six countries. In addition, she founded a volunteer-run initiative offering free tutoring for vulnerable youth. 

“I’ve always believed that if something doesn’t exist, you build it yourself.”

For Bryan Inibhunu, the path to medicine began in a high school science class. 

“[The] first time it clicked was realizing how every part of the body works together, and how even the smallest change in one area can affect the whole system,” he says. “That curiosity grew. I wanted to know how small changes in DNA could lead to different conditions, or how one tiny disruption in a process could throw an entire organ off.”

Now, Inibhunu is embarking on his academic journey to become a physician at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. 

He is passionate about equitable, holistic care. Through roles in research and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) leadership, he has seen how strengthening equity can change outcomes for patients. He also believes that rare diseases and underserved populations deserve more research attention. 

Suroor Mansouri’s decision to pursue a master of education degree in curriculum and pedagogy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) was shaped by nearly a decade of childcare experience and her work as an inclusion and support worker. 

In those roles, she saw firsthand how delays in government funding placed immense pressure on classrooms. It made her realize the importance of strong policy and systemic change. 

Born in London, Ont., Mansouri spent part of her childhood in Libya and has lived in Vancouver since age 13. After completing a degree in psychology with a minor in creative writing at the University of British Columbia, she sought a program that would let her pair theory with action. 

“Choosing U of T was an intentional decision: its emphasis on curriculum, policy reform, and praxis aligns perfectly with my goal of transforming these everyday challenges into meaningful solutions,” she says. 

Mansouri adds that conversations with professors and alumni further confirmed that the program fosters a community where meaningful change is possible.   

She says she’s excited to join U of T, “where students are generous community members, brimming with curiosity and passion for higher education and personal growth.”