Wilfrid Laurier University

From nervous first-year students to international travel partners, Timna Habta and Mialy Rakotoharilala formed a friendship and found a sense of belonging at Laurier that carried them through their undergraduate degree studies. 💜💛

“I can honestly say that finding a friend like Mialy made my university experience,” says Habta. “Finding your people and your community can take time, but it’s worth the wait.”

Now, four years after meeting, they will cross Laurier’s convocation stage on June 18 as graduates of the Faculty of Arts, both with double majors in Communications Studies and Cultural Studies, and as best friends, connected by shared identity, experiences and personal growth.

The future friends’ first in-person connection came during an introductory Communications Studies course in January 2023. Habta, running late for class, recalled entering the lecture hall and looking for somewhere to sit. The students realised they were part of the same scholarship program and lived in Waterloo College Hall. The friendship continued to grow through the remainder of the winter term.

In addition to their classes and extracurriculars, Habta and Rakotoharilala secured part-time employment on campus as student communications and outreach assistants in the Faculty of Arts. Working alongside Crystal Shadwell, manager of student support and engagement initiatives, Habta and Rakotoharilala supported communication and outreach initiatives and shared their Laurier experiences with prospective students at campus open house events and the Ontario Universities’ Fair.

Habta and Rakotoharilala then had the opportunity to participate in an international exchange during their third year. In February 2024, they learned they would both be heading to the University of Limerick in Ireland the following winter.

Four months, eight countries and countless memories later, Habta and Rakotoharilala returned to Laurier’s Waterloo campus with new perspectives on school, life and themselves.

After convocation, Habta will assume the role of vice-president of government and stakeholder relations with the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, marking her entry into a career in education and student advocacy. Rakotoharilala is exploring graduate programs in film production to develop her skills in filmmaking and screenwriting, which she is passionate about.

Read about their Laurier experience: https://ow.ly/Msb250ZaBEz

Game on. ⚽🌍

Proud to host our global Lazaridis School of Business & Economics Sports Management MBA at BMO Field, Toronto's host venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in partnership with the Global Institute of Sport.

The Toronto-based MBA in Sports Management combines the Lazaridis School’s rigorous MBA foundation with specialized education in the business of sport. Positioned at the intersection of global sport, media, technology and live entertainment, the program is designed to reflect the rapid evolution and commercial growth of the international sports industry.

Good luck to all the teams as the World Cup begins and of course… 🇨🇦 Let’s go Canada! 🇨🇦