REVIEW OF Columbia International College BY Alum, Matthew Latief

(4.5) Overall Experience

When I enrolled at CIC, I thought I was just going to get a good transcript. What I discovered instead was that CIC became the place where I learned to trust myself. CIC is not perfect, but there is a heartbeat there: in the teachers who remember your name, in the dorm staff who check up on you when they notice you’re quieter, and in the peers who share meals and study sessions. What sets CIC apart is its willingness to treat students as complex human beings, not just numbers on report cards. The Total Care framework of academic support, residence life, and peer mentoring made me feel almost comfortable, even when everything felt new or overwhelming. I walked out not only with a diploma, but with habits and confidence that carried into university.

Looking Back

What stands out most to me from my time at CIC are the small, unplanned moments like night study groups in the dorm lounge, laughing over takeout after exams, and the sense that we were all in it together. Those friendships and quiet acts of support are what I remember most vividly. The academics mattered, but it was the people who gave it all meaning.

Current Perspective

Looking back now, I see CIC differently than when I was a student. At the time, I sometimes thought the strict structure was stifling. Now I recognize it as one of its biggest strengths. It taught me discipline and time management in a way I didn’t appreciate until I hit my first year of university and felt prepared when many others struggled.

Your Advice

If I could give one piece of advice to someone considering CIC, it would be to immerse themselves in the community. Don’t try to get through it alone. The academics can feel heavy, and the rules may seem strict, but if you take advantage of the support systems from teachers, dorm staff, and friends, you’ll find CIC gives you more than a diploma. It gives you resilience.

(4.5) School Leadership

I used to think the school leaders were like these distant figures who just sent out emails, but I was surprised by how often they actually showed up in the middle of our day. Mr. Chan, for example, would pop into the cafeteria and actually ask what we thought about the food, not in a “survey” way but like he really cared. Sometimes the rules felt strict, especially around curfew, but looking back, I see they weren’t just about control; they were about making sure hundreds of teenagers from around the world didn’t completely unravel. The leadership wasn’t perfect, but they were present, and that made a difference.

(4.5) Teaching

If I had to describe the teaching at CIC in one word, it’d be “intentional.” The teachers weren’t just there to get through the syllabus; they really noticed when you were struggling. I still remember Ms. Davis in English. She would circle little comments in the margins of my essays, not just grammar corrections but things like, “This argument has potential to expand here.” Those small notes felt like conversations. On the science side, Mr. Singh’s chemistry labs were half learning, half comedy show. He had this way of dropping dad jokes while making sure we understood balancing equations. The dynamic was respectful but not stiff; you could joke with teachers as long as you showed effort. What stuck with me most was how they managed to combine rigour with warmth, something you don’t realize is rare until you leave.

(4.5) Academics

The academics at CIC were no joke. Everyone knew that the Total Care system came with a workload that could feel heavy, especially during Grade 12 when university applications loomed. What I appreciated, though, was the mix of structure and flexibility. The structure came from the clear expectations such as homework deadlines, progress checks and even tutorials. The flexibility was in how teachers adapted; if they saw the class drowning, they’d adjust the pace or offer extra help sessions. Students were competitive in the sense that we all wanted to get into good universities, but it wasn’t that deep. I remember late group study sessions in residence where people would patiently explain concepts to each other. That culture of helping while pushing yourself made CIC challenging, but in the best way, it forced you to grow without feeling like you were alone in the struggle.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars at CIC were surprisingly varied. You had the usual sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, but also clubs like Model UN, photography, and even a baking club. I joined the debate team, and while we weren’t winning trophies every weekend, it gave me a voice I didn’t know I had. Some activities were competitive, others were just for fun, but they all gave us balance outside the classroom grind.

(4.5) Students

What stands out about the students at CIC is how incredibly diverse the group is. In my dorm room alone, I lived with a guy from Turkey, one from Nigeria, and another from South Korea. Mealtimes felt like sitting at the UN cafeteria. The typical student was ambitious but also carrying their family’s hopes, which made for a unique atmosphere because we all took school seriously, but we also leaned on each other. The students who earned the most respect weren’t the ones with the highest grades but the ones who stayed grounded and helped others. I think back to my friend Aisha, who was brilliant in math but always took time to tutor classmates without making anyone feel dumb. That spirit of collective effort and shared struggle really defined CIC for me.

(4.5) School Life

Life at CIC was intense, but in a good way. The balance of academics, residence life, and extracurriculars meant your days were full from the minute you woke up to lights-out. Dorm life was honestly one of the highlights, sometimes crowded, sometimes chaotic, but full of those little memories like sharing snacks from home or pulling group all nighters before exams. There were definitely stressful times, especially during midterms, when you could practically feel the tension in the library. But the support system was strong. Residence dons checked in regularly, most teachers offered tutorials, and friends had your back. Overall, I wouldn’t call it “easy,” but it was meaningful. The busyness gave you purpose, and even the hard days felt like part of something bigger.

(4.5) Community

The CIC community went beyond just students and staff, as it felt like a web of connections that stretched across the world. Parents were welcome to be involved, but since most of us were international, it was often teachers and residence staff who became the day-to-day “family.” I remember Ms. Li, a residence supervisor, who always reminded me to drink water during exam weeks; little things like that mattered. Since graduating, I’ve stayed in touch with friends scattered across continents. It’s wild to open Instagram and see people I studied with now in London, New York, or back home running businesses. The alumni community isn’t formal like some schools, but it’s real; your CIC peers don’t disappear after graduation. That shared history of surviving those busy, packed days keeps you connected no matter where you end up.

(4.5) School Location

Hamilton isn’t the flashiest city, but it worked for what CIC was trying to do. We did venture off-campus to Jackson Square mall, to grab shawarma downtown, or to the waterfalls nearby, but for the most part, campus life kept us grounded. The neighbourhood felt safe, and having the city close but not overwhelming was actually a plus for international students adjusting to Canada.

(4.5) Admissions

I still remember sitting nervously in front of my laptop for the online interview. I thought it was going to feel like an interrogation, but the admissions officer was warm and curious. She asked about my hobbies, not just grades. The process had its stressful moments, especially getting all the paperwork sorted, but overall, it felt like CIC was trying to figure out if the school was the right fit for me, not just if I was “good enough” for them. That made a huge difference.

(4.5) University placement and counselling

The university counselling program at CIC was one of its biggest strengths. From Grade 11, they started talking to us about options, deadlines, and pathways, so it never felt like you were thrown in at the last second. My counsellor, Mr. Williams, was patient with my endless questions about Canadian universities, and he even helped me polish my personal statement when I was doubting myself. The process could be overwhelming because there were so many forms and timelines, but the staff genuinely guided you through it. The workshops about writing essays and preparing for interviews were especially helpful. In the end, I felt like I had the tools and confidence to apply broadly and realistically. Without that support, I don’t think I would have landed in the program I’m in today.