LI You, a doctoral student from the Graduate School of Sport Sciences, went on a study abroad program at University of Toronto from May 2023 to August 2023. This program was sponsored by the Top Global University (TGU) Program. Mr. LI conducted research activities of his disseration research plan and received supervision from Professor Simon Darnell, who is an expert in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) and Social Science Research in Sport, at the University of Toronto.
Please read about her experience below!
Ⅰ. About the travel support
Thanks to the AY2023 Travel Grant of Health Promotion Unit Top Global University (TGU) Project – The Joy of Sports and Exercise, I was fortunate to be supported to visit the University of Toronto (UofT) for the summer session from May to August in 2023. The TGU funding helped arrange the round-trip between Tokyo and Toronto and subsidized the housing expenses for three months of my stay in Toronto. It also covered the Visa application fees, academic incidental fees, student health insurance in Canada, as well as the commuting costs between airports and my residences.
- Flight view over Alaska
- The flight route
Ⅱ. About University of Toronto
The University of Toronto (UofT) is a prestigious higher-educational institution in North America and worldwide, ranked #21 in the 2024 World Top Universities ranking and #5 in sport-related subjects ranking (QS). Located in the Great Toronto Area, UofT currently maintains three campuses including the St. George campus in downtown Toronto, the Mississauga campus and the Scarborough campus. As a public research university, UofT hosts more than 15 academic units of divergent disciplines, including the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE). Initially founded as the King’s College in British Canada in 1827, UofT partly inherits the collegiate university system, featuring 11 highly autonomous colleges at the St. George campus, such as the well-known University College. The St. George campus is also famous for its beautiful nature, historical architecture, and adorable squirrel inhabitants.
- University College
- Trinity College
- Front Campus Field
- Campus squirrel
Ⅲ. About studying at University of Toronto
My studying abroad was admitted through the International Visiting Graduate Student (IVGS) program and accommodated at the Centre for Sport Policy Studies of KPE at the St. George campus. This research unit is renowned for their scholarly contributions in the fields of sport sociology, physical cultural studies, gender and political studies in sport, as well as sport for development and peace (SDP). Under the supervision of Professor Simon Darnell, who is an expert in SDP and social science research in sport, I was offered a great opportunity to hone my research skills and improve my doctoral study on SDP in China. Prof. Darnell regularly arranged in-person meetings with me so that I could receive feedback and advice on research design and writing, paper publication and collaboration. He also introduced me to fellow professors and graduate students in the research unit which helped me expand my academic network. In addition, I took advantage of Toronto being in a major transit hub in North America to attend several international academic conferences, including the North American Society for Sport History (NASSH) 2023 convention in Washington D.C. and the 2023 World Congress of Sociology of Sport (ISSA) in Ottawa.
- With Prof. Simon Darnell
- With Kawashima-sensei and Waseda group at NASSH 2023
- With the legendary sport sociologist Prof. Jay Coakley at ISSA 2023
- My presentation at NASSH 2023
Staying at the St. George campus was a marvelous experience in terms of studying, socializing and playing. The university provides students with leading facilities and support, including more than 30 libraries on campus equipped with enormous collections and cutting-edge technologies, in which students can find spaces to study and access a variety of academic resources, not limited to only books and productivity software. Fitness and athletics are also a major part of campus life here, which is well manifested by the three major fitness facilities (Athletic Centre, Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, Hart House Fitness Centre) that offer diverse and inclusive opportunities for drop-in sports and exercises, intra-mural competitions, and inter-collegiate varsity games at the elite level. The KPE would also organize monthly recreational activities, not least the hikes series partnered with Let’s Hike T. O. which are open to UofT students, mainly targeting newcomers, people of colour and young adults. With a valid student ID, these resources and activities were all available to me without extra cost.
- Emmanuel College Library
- Knox College Library
- Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
- Hike event to Toronto Islands
- Bruce Kidd Field House in Athletic Centre
- Preseason warm-up game between UofT and Harvard
Ⅳ. Life in Toronto
Sited by the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the largest and most populated city in Canada, well-known for its cultural and ethnic diversity, artistic and urban landscapes, as well as natural sceneries. Next to the St. George Campus is the Royal Ontario Museum famous for its abundant collections and bold exterior design resembling a crystal. For daily groceries and decent Asian and Caribbean food, the Kensington Market and Chinatown are just minutes away by walking from the west side of the campus. The entertainment district is also nearby where I went often for sightseeing, shopping and events. Moreover, as a huge sports fan, I seized the convenience of living in downtown Toronto to go to several games, in particular the home game of Toronto Blue Jays against Los Angeles Angels, which was sold out because of Shohei Ohtani’s massive popularity. I also enjoyed visiting tourist attractions to catch great views and fresh air; Ontario Place, Toronto Islands and Niagara Falls are among my favourite destinations.
- Kensington Market-Chinatown
- A city view from Toronto Islands
- A home game of Toronto Blue Jays against Los Angeles Angels
- A home game of Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL)
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Niagara Falls
Ⅴ. To conclude
To conclude, my study abroad experience at UofT was enjoyable, eye-opening and fruitful. Despite the initial unfamiliarity and inconvenience, I settled in well and gained more knowledge, networks and know-how than I expected. I felt very privileged to have this invaluable experience of living and studying at a top university in a wonderful metropolitan city full of scholastic, historical, cultural and sporting distinctions. I would like to express genuine gratitude to my home supervisor at Waseda University, Professor Kawashima Kohei, and my host supervisor at University of Toronto, Professor Simon Darnell, for backing me up throughout. Meanwhile, this would not be possible without the continued support of the Graduate School of Sport Sciences at Waseda University, the Tokorozawa/Higashi-Fushimi offices, and the TGU team. Lastly, I believe this study abroad program has enabled me to be a more capable and versatile scholar, especially in cross-cultural contexts.