'The whole international student experience builds a lot of confidence': U of T Mississauga grad Mullai Sampath

Mullai Sampath (BA 2021 UTM), who will graduate this spring, wants to study education around the world. Photo supplied by Mullai Sampath

In her bedroom in her U of T Mississauga residence, Mullai Sampath (BA 2021 UTM) had a wall dedicated to photos of the places she went and people she met throughout her Canadian university career.

“I have always been passionate about photography, and have been experimenting with different mediums like film and polaroid recently,” Sampath says. “I had a wall of photos of all the lovely people I met since I’ve been in Mississauga. Through photography, I connected with a lot of others on campus who were into art. UTM was definitely a catalyst for my love of photography.”

Although Sampath packed up the wall of photos once the semester ended, “everywhere I go, the wall will go with me, and I hope to keep adding to it.”

Taking photos helped Sampath feel at home in a Canadian setting. Attending a Canadian university wasn’t originally part of her life plan, but it’s an experience the 2021 UTM graduate wouldn’t trade away.

“Once I came to UTM, I felt appreciated,” Sampath says. “It taught me to value what I have to offer.”

Sampath originally intended to earn a psychology degree in her hometown of Bengaluru, India. However, she decided she wanted to transfer in search of more experiential opportunities to complement her coursework. When her mother suggested she apply to Canadian universities, UTM sounded right to Sampath.

“UTM is a close-knit campus with lots of opportunities,” says Sampath, who didn’t hesitate to apply.

As she had hoped, at UTM, she discovered opportunities to broaden her experience, both in the classroom and on campus.

“I always wanted to study psychology,” Sampath says. “I’ve always liked working with people and set out to get a degree in psychology when I was in India. At UTM, however, I had the opportunity to add minors in sociology and education studies.

“I’m looking to do research in psychology and education; I’d like to take what I learn back to India to implement it there one day. Educational spaces can be transformational. It is central to who I am, and I think there is room for so many new ideas and reform.”

Outside of the classroom, Sampath became involved with student services, working with the Centre for Student Engagement (CSE) and its peer mentorship program. She initially worked as peer mentorship intern serving first-year students. The following year, Sampath was asked to serve as a team lead.

“The team was phenomenal and I had a wonderful time,” she says.

Her ties to CSE are so strong that Sampath will continue to work for the centre this summer – post-graduation – to deliver the EagleConnect program, an initiative that focuses on preparing incoming students for university life.

“I love working with students,” Sampath says, “and it’s fulfilling to take on a role previously done by someone who helped me prepare for university at UTM. I never expected to be that person.”

When Sampath first arrived at UTM, she was initially more of an observer than a participant.

“I’m shy and I thought that people would already have made their friends when I arrived in second year,” but she discovered that wasn’t the case. “Nothing was as rigid as I expected.”

By her second year on campus, she was busy working with CSE, volunteering as a residence community ambassador, serving with the Equity Outreach Network and participating in the Tamil Students’ Association, where she served as media director and documented many of the club’s activities in pictures. Sampath was also able to work on a research project with Assistant Professor Elizabeth Coulson exploring the impact of COVID-19 on students, parents and teachers in Ontario’s Peel Region.

“I feel that the whole international student experience builds a lot of confidence in you,” Sampath says. “You have to stand on your own two feet and take care of yourself.

“Now, I’d like to move around and look at education in other parts of the world, and I know I’ll have fun doing it.”

On June 24, 2021 at 12 p.m. EDT, U of T Mississauga will host an online event for the graduating class of 2021 on YouTube and MyMedia. Learn more about UTM's virtual graduation event and join the celebration.