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After more than 50 years of operation in the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC), the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) has moved to its new home in Mitchell Hall. To celebrate, QUIC is hosting an open house from Jan. 16-18, welcoming the Queen’s community to explore the new spaces and services on offer.

“Queen’s is currently home to approximately 3,500 international students, so it’s really exciting to unveil a fresh, new space that they can use and enjoy while settling into their new lives in Canada,” says Amanda Gray, QUIC’s newest International Student Advisor. “Since our soft opening in late December, both international and domestic students have been studying here, having team meetings, enjoying lunch, and making new friends. We’re excited to welcome even more students and staff during our open house.”

Located on the second level of Mitchell Hall, the new facility has a comfortable lounge for students to study or relax, a workshop room – the Ed Churchill Hall of Friendship – and a beautiful view of campus with lots of sunlight. There is also a kitchen and a ping-pong table.

“Not only is the new QUIC facility a great place for students to meet, work, and relax – it is also a place for international members of the Queen’s community to connect with programs designed to support them academically and socially,” says Arthur Chen, QUIC International Student Advisor. “We have a team of professional staff that is here to offer confidential advising and services on a range of topics, including immigration, health coverage, intercultural communications, English conversation, peer support, and more.”

To kick off the open house activities, QUIC will be offering a free lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All students and staff are welcome to visit, network, see the new spaces, and learn more about the services available. It will also be an opportunity to meet the centre’s new director, Sultan Almajil, who started in the role in early January.

“I am very excited to be here at Queen’s and look forward to meeting and assisting students from both here and abroad,” says Mr. Almajil. “As I was once a new international student to Canada myself, I know the flood of emotions that can go along with such a move. I also know how centres like QUIC can play a pivotal role in meeting people, honing your studies, and connecting with the community. I urge anyone from the Queen’s community to get involved with us, and come enjoy our new Mitchell Hall space.”

Mr. Almajil joins Queen’s from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where he served as the school’s International Centre Supervisor since 2016. Before earning a Master’s degree with a concentration in organizational change and culture at Royal Roads, he came to Canada as an international student to study at Thompson Rivers University.

Earlier this year, QUIC, in partnership with , introduced new programming and resources, with the establishment of a new Intercultural Academic Support Coordinator position. For more information on QUIC and the programs and services they provide, .

Located at the corner of Union and Division streets on the former site of the Physical Education Centre, Mitchell Hall was made possible through over $50 million in philanthropic support. The federal and Ontario governments also contributed $22 million to the project.

Learn more about Mitchell Hall and all of its current and future tenants, on the . The building’s formal opening ceremonies will be held on March 30.