Student Selena Lombardi (photo by Polina Teif)

Article by By Polina Teif and Lisa Lightbourn originally appeared in U of T Magazine, Winter 2026

Over two days in November, U of T Magazine’s photographers visited Hart House to get a sense of the vast range of activities that take place inside the century-old St. George landmark. Although much about campus life has changed over the years, one aspect remains constant: students connecting with one another and finding community outside the classroom.

Thursday, November 28

9:45 A.M.

At Hart House’s “Real Talk with Dave,” U of T community members gather over a hearty brunch for a conversation about the experiences of international students at U of T. Hosted by warden David Kim, the session features recent U of T Mississauga grad Salik Quereshi and PhD candidate Cecil Chikezie – both from Kenya – and law professor Mariana Prado. “It’s Kenya squared today,” Quereshi jokes as the group shares stories about navigating everything from opening a bank account to cooking for themselves. Real Talk happens several times a year on rotating themes, but the goal stays the same, says Kim: to listen, share and connect – and for guests to leave with new insights and a full stomach.

Jei Mikhail Bacuetes says the practical insights shared – even choosing a bank – reflected his own move to Canada from the Philippines and underscored how guidance on these everyday decisions can make for a smoother transition. “They’re as important as building connections,” he says.

For Asees Sandhu (BA 2024 Trinity), who came to U of T from India, the session highlighted how much international students have in common. “Each one of us is feverishly trying to connect with others and find pieces of home,” she says.

10:35 A.M.

After a workout at the fitness centre, fourth-year physiology and human biology student Brianna Civichino meets classmate Kent Winsborrow in the Arbor Room, where they grab a booth and catch up on schoolwork. Reopened in 2021 after extensive renovations, the lower-level room was redesigned with accessibility in mind – and to make it brighter, more modern and more comfortable. “I like it for its calm ambiance, great food and kind staff,” says Civichino. 

11:25 A.M.

Varvara Novopoltseva, a second-year master’s student in public policy, works on a 3D paper snowflake during this week’s Get Crafty session. An international student from Ukraine spending her first year in Canada, Novopoltseva says she joined the group to continue the experience from home of making things in the company of others. “I like the variety of techniques and the small time commitment,” she says. “It’s relaxing and stress-free.”

11:50 A.M.

First-year master’s student Javier Mencia Ledo, who competes in Olympic-length triathlons, swims at the 25-yard Hart House pool twice a week – drawn by the flexible hours, the natural light from the overhead glass and the chance to clear his head between classes and lab work. For Ledo, the pool is also a social place where he can train alongside friends from the U of T Run Club.

12:10 P.M.

Kaiser De Morgan, a second-year math student at U of T Scarborough, mixes cardio with the Hart House Fitness Centre’s weight-training equipment to stay fit, keep his blood pressure down and earn a few extra calories. “That’s probably the most important reason,” he admits. “So I can eat more.”

12:25 P.M.

Selena Lombardi works up a sweat on the Reformer during a lunchtime Pilates class with fitness coach Martin Phills – a weekly ritual she’s kept for nearly two years. A second-year master’s student in applied science and engineering, Selena comes to Pilates as a dancer, drawn to the way it builds proper body alignment. “Pilates has helped me develop greater body awareness and strength in my movement,” she says.

1:40 P.M.

First-year computer science student Muyuan Liu leans into the keys of the baby grand, recording himself as he practices – fast, forceful and full of drama – and allowing a few moments for a photo before returning to the music. Between classes and coding assignments, he’s one of many student musicians who take advantage of Hart House’s four bookable pianos, available in 60-minute sessions.

Friday, November 29

10:45 A.M.

Down in the basement, Kalan Subieta, a second-year computer science student, gets a long-overdue trim at The Hair Place, a long-time tenant of Hart House. For 25 years, stylist Patsy Lochan has welcomed generations of students into her four-chair shop, offering cuts (now $35) and a calm break from campus. As Elvis’s “Blue Christmas” plays, Kalan admires the shop’s “unique retro charm,” adding that it’s “cool to get a trim in a place with so much history behind it.”

4:20 P.M.

Bingfei Wang, a third-year Rotman Commerce student and president of the Hart House Chess Club, plays against Evan Moon during a club session in the reading room, where the group meets every Friday. Wang, who learned to play chess as a child from his father and has competed on U of T’s varsity team for three years, describes the game as “a pure battle of ideas” – one that rewards patience, creativity and learning from mistakes.

At a nearby table, first-year life sciences student Emir Eshberk faces off against a friend. Having learned chess from his parents, Eshberk keeps returning to the board – drawn by the slow, steady improvement he sees in his play and the friendships formed over games. As the club’s first-year representative, he helps run events and arbitrate tournaments. But mostly, he says, he does it as a way “I can continue having chess in my life.”

6:30 P.M.

Backstage at Hart House Theatre, second-year drama student James Higgins gets a clean shave from makeup designer Grace Cutrim-Beben before stepping into the role of Reverend John Hale in The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s 1953 play about the Salem witch trials. Still in jeans and a tank top, Higgins sips a Red Bull before beginning his warmups, and finding the posture and demeanour his character demands. Hale enters the play as a calm, respected community leader, James explains, “but he gets angry and stressed as he realizes the system doesn’t work.” Tracing Hale’s unraveling over the course of the performance has been “a good acting challenge,” he says. The Trinity College Dramatic Society’s production ran November 27–29.

7:30 P.M.

The Hart House Jazz Choir performs in the east common room under conductor Jeff Magee’s direction. The 20-member a cappella group – mostly U of T students – tackles a diverse repertoire spanning jazz, pop and R&B. The choir performs at city venues such as the Beaches Jazz Festival, but tonight is a free, on-campus concert with mostly friends and family in attendance.