THUNDER BAY — It's move-in day for undergraduate students attending Lakehead University.
Both first-time and returning students are taking over campus residences to get settled in before the start of classes next week.
Shannon Foster, the director of resident services, said students come from all over the world.
"A lot of them are leaving their town for the very first time, and it's an exciting time. They're about to go into the different programs."
Hailing all the way from Helsinki, Finland, Johanna Joutseniemi is one of many international students moving in to Lakehead this year.
"[Helsinki] is quite big and I wanted to come to a smaller place so I could meet people and be with nature."
Joutseniemi said that everyone she's met so far has been kind.
"People are so polite and helpful and joyful and very nice."
Christopher Silver is a resident assistant who has been helping students, especially on move in day, for the past five years.
"I think moving day is a really good opportunity for fresh starts for everyone," said Silver.
"Whether you're someone who's coming back or someone coming here for the first time, you can kind of choose who you want to be and craft your identity.
"It's really exciting for us to be able to support that and nurture new students trying to better themselves and start their new adventure."
Silver said he's enjoyed seeing students grow through their time at Lakehead.
"I've really noticed that the people that you move in on move-in day, you can kind of see them grow throughout the years and it's kind of rewarding to see them grow and evolve as a person and see who they become years down the road."
To help students find housing, the university has partnered with SpacesShared, a website that matches students looking for safe and affordable housing with hosts who have spare bedrooms.
Foster said the website vets students applying for a room and also vets hosts offering their homes. He called it an intense process.
"They will ask you some questions, and then they will ask the student as well a number of questions, and then that's how they do their matches.
"They also have some staff that will help with any conflicts that might be present, as well as anything that might come up that might be able to help the two have a great partnership."
Previously, two residences were turned into office space. However, the university has turned the space back into dorms.
This provided Lakehead with room for 65 more students to live on campus.
This is also the first year LU will be offering double rooms to students, and it can increase those offerings in the future with the reconverted spaces.
Foster said there are approximately 40 students on the wait list for dorms.
