YIP

WE HELP MAKE WORLD-CLASS TORONTO YOUR COMMUNITY Attend festivals including Hot Docs, TIFF, museum exhibits and one-of-a-kind shows.

Neighbourhood tours and cultural hotspots.

Cooking demonstrations celebrating different nationalities through food.

Cultural events such as Italian Day, Chocolate Making, Chinese Day and India Day.

WHAT YIP MEANS TO ME D. BRYANE (CANADA) Joining York, I was asked to join the York International Parents (YIP) group. Me? Why, I was born and raised in Toronto, how could I be international? A four-year stint in the UK qualified me! YIP has become my community and a source of many dear friendships. YIP members come from all walks of life: veteran expats; one year abroad; new to Toronto; never left Toronto; moved here 20 years ago. Everyone is open minded and enjoys learning about each others’ cultures and experiences. YIP has become such an important part of my life with so many friendships!

E. CARDILLI (ITALY) I am originally from Rome, but until 2015 I was living in Melbourne, so moving to Toronto was a big change. I immediately joined the York International Parents (YIP) and I found wonderful people who were there to help me and support me... I found great friends from all around the world! My experience was so incredible that I have decided to be more active in the group and help more parents just like me to have unique experiences and be part of a tight-knit community.

J. BRUNO (USA) Our family moved from the United States in 2013 with three teenage daughters, who quite frankly, were not excited about the unexpected move. We did not know a single person in Toronto, except for my husband’s new boss. The YIP community was a critical support system for me, not just in the practical aspects of a move to a new place but having a community of other parents that understood what we were experiencing. The YIP community was, and still is - 6 years in - a large part of my life. From socializing, exercising, and exploring this wonderful city - YIP was critical to my happiness in our move to Toronto.

N. NASH (CANADA) York International Parents is a real gem of a group which was started by York's expat community about 10 years ago as a coffee group. It provides an essential resource and support for newcomers who are unfamiliar with how things operate in Canada (think winter!). I am Canadian but lived abroad during my childhood and again with my husband when our children were young. I was so happy to have found this dynamic group and the friendships that it has offered.

R. ADORN-BROZA (ISRAEL) We were a new family joining the York School and I was looking to meet other parents. We've been in Canada 20 years but still consider ourselves "International".

With the York International Parents I found the community I was seeking. I've been learning and exchanging information that helps my kids in school and helps me support them better. I found friends to share generous hospitality, great food, and good laughs. Together we enjoy the treasures Toronto has to offer and the talents and gifts each of us shares with our community. It's been a real gem in our York experience.

S. ANUGOPAL (INDIA) I was born in India and grew up there till I was in my early twenties. Then I had the amazing experience of living in different parts of the world and building my family. York was the first place where I was assigned a buddy from school and that was surprising and awesome. My buddy introduced me to YIP. YIP helped me to settle down faster and explore Toronto better. It not only helped me to understand the school better but also got me some good friends to treasure.

S. BEDFORD (USA) When my kids enrolled in the York School, I wasn’t new to Canada or Toronto. And the move from States was not a significant culture shock. I spoke English. And I had long ago learned to cope with the winters and the metric system. I had found my home. But YIP, just like the York School, reminds me that my community is not my block or town, that we are all part of a global community. And experiences I have had thorough YIP and the people I have met have only made my life richer.

A. FAIR (CANADA) I am a born-and-bred Torontonian. I even attended U of T and have never lived outside the city. I joined YIP because I liked the idea of meeting new people and building my community within The York School. I believe that the more invested one is in their children's school, the better it is for the children and their emotional and academic health. What better way than to engage with other parents outside of the school at social events? With YIP, I've been able to meet and get to know parents in different grades throughout the school.

S. GUJARATI (INDIA) Apprehensive, not knowing what to expect I walked into my first YIP event late ! Today my exposure to this organization has been nothing but amazing ! Highly recommendable it quickly became center to our whole York school and Toronto new life experience, whether it was participating in parent meetings, coffee mornings, city walks, potluck lunches and many many fun events organized with a lot of initiative. I met some lovely friends and became instantly a part of this beautiful and warm community. Whether its getting to know what’s happening in my child’s grade or networking at large for various other resources, I had found my 'go-to' group and indeed was I grateful !! YIP for me is an assimilation of many minds and a confluence of diverse cultures, where you will always be welcomed for who you are !!

D. RAI (INDIA) Every move brings along its own challenges. Despite having lived in five countries across four continents, our move to Toronto came with its share of trepidation.

My first coffee with the York International Parents (YIP) instantly put me at ease. Over the past year, I have met a wonderful group of open-minded people from all over the world. In a short time, they have become my friends and confidantes, coffee and movie buddies. They have not only helped me discover Toronto but also make it my own. I am thankful to The York School for enabling such a helpful and close-knit community.

WE ARE PROGRESSIVE CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL URBAN & UNIQUE.