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 At first glance motorsports can be viewed as a solo sport, just one driver vs. another. However, behind each driver lies a team of individuals all brought together by their love for racing. This is my community within motorsports.
Engaging in motorsports isn't your typical pastime, which made the discovery of my community and friends within it all the more significant. This shared passion demands considerable time and often results in packed schedules, leaving little room for socializing. Through this, I turned to the community I found within racing who share the same busy schedule that I do. We all put our everything into this sport and give up lots of time all for a common passion. The dedication we all pour into motorsports creates a bond that transcends friendship—it's a shared devotion to a common passion. Despite the sacrifices and time dedication, I wouldn't trade a moment spent with this community and getting to do what I love all at the same time. Another special aspect of being a part of this community is getting to share this experience with others who might have never known of such a community! Getting to bring friends and family into this experience allows me to grow my love for this community even more! I would never change a thing about choosing to spend my time with this community and getting to share this community with my other friends. Sharing and spreading my passion for motorsports fuels me for every race I get to partake in.
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 As I reflect on my journey from South Africa to Canada, one of the most transformative experiences I've encountered has been my time in architecture school. Beyond the realm of drafting tables and design software, architecture school has evolved into more than just an educational pursuit; it has become my community, a sanctuary where my passion for design intersects with a sense of belonging. Moving halfway across the world, leaving behind the familiarity of home, family, and friends, was a daunting prospect. However, within the halls of my architecture school, I found a diverse tapestry of individuals, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. In this melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, I discovered a sense of camaraderie that transcended geographical boundaries. The transition from South Africa to Canada was not without its challenges. Adapting to a new academic system, navigating cultural nuances, and grappling with homesickness tested my resilience. Yet, amidst the sea of uncertainties, architecture school provided a steady anchor. I found mentors who guided me through the intricacies of the profession and peers who shared my passion for design. What struck me most about architecture school was its inherent sense of collaboration. Unlike the stereotype of solitary architects toiling away in isolation, the reality is far more communal. Studio sessions became dynamic forums for brainstorming, critiquing, and refining ideas. Each project became a collective endeavour, with classmates offering invaluable feedback and support. In this collaborative environment, competition gave way to camaraderie, fostering a spirit of mutual growth and encouragement. Moreover, it served as a bridge between my past and present, seamlessly integrating my South African heritage with my Canadian identity. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant landscapes of Cape Town to the sleek skylines of Toronto, I found myself synthesizing diverse influences into my design ethos. In doing so, I realized that architecture is not merely about erecting structures; it's about storytelling, capturing the essence of a place, and fostering connections between people and their environment. But perhaps the most profound aspect of my journey has been the discovery of my community within it. Beyond the confines of academic discourse, I found lifelong friendships forged through shared passions and mutual aspirations. Whether collaborating on a studio project or unwinding over coffee, these connections transcended the boundaries of nationality, ethnicity, and language, uniting us in our pursuit of design excellence. In retrospect, my decision to pursue architecture was not merely a career choice but a journey of self-discovery. Through the lens of design, I found my voice, my purpose, and my community. Architecture school has been more than just a place of learning; it has been a catalyst for personal growth, cultural exchange, and lasting friendships. As I continue this odyssey of creativity and innovation, I am grateful for the sanctuary of my architectural community—a beacon of inspiration and belonging in a world of endless possibilities.
 The following Community Spotlight is written by William Flood, Events + Initiatives Director at Happy Human Project and proud resident of Halifax.
I found a unique way to connect with my community through my alter ego, Weatherman Will. My journey began with a fascination for weather forecasting and a desire to give back to the place I call home. Growing up in Dallas Texas, my interest in weather patterns sparked early on. I found myself captivated by meteorology and started experimenting with amateur forecasting as a hobby. Little did I know that this passion would lead me to something much bigger. One day, it hit me: why not turn my love for weather into something that could benefit my community? Weatherman Will was born. Through social media, I began sharing my self-made forecasts, tailored specifically for Nova Scotia, providing valuable weather information to fellow residents. It's incredible how quickly Weatherman Will gained traction in Halifax. People appreciated the accuracy and reliability of my forecasts, especially during critical times like snowstorms or hurricanes. I found myself becoming a trusted source of information for the community. It's humbling to receive recognition for my efforts and even being recognized at Boomers, a local bar in Halifax. But, what means the most to me is the unwavering support from my friends and members of our community who have been cheering me on every step of the way. Weatherman Will has become more than just a forecasting platform; it's a symbol of community spirit and resilience. I'm proud to have made a positive impact on Halifax residents. Halifax has found a community member dedicated to serving others through my passion for meteorology. Weatherman Will isn't just about weather forecasts; it's about bringing people together and making a difference in the place we all call home. Follow along with Weatherman Will on TikTok (@Weatherman_Will) and on Instagram (@Weatherman.William).  Hi, my name is My name is Maxwell Evans & I am a Happy Human Rep. This is my first year being in the Happy Human Project but I'm in my third year at Dalhousie & my second co-op term working for a media company in Toronto.
I was born in Toronto, Ontario, but moved to Oakville, Ontario when I was about 5 years old. Oakville is not the most diverse city in the world, being a wealthy & primary white city, but growing up there I noticed more and more diversity around me especially while finding my people and entering high school with a diverse friend group. When I arrived at Dalhousie during COVID-19, it felt like I was in a place with little to no diversity, even compared to my hometown and as I came alone at the time, I was very intimidated by how I would be treated differently or how I would feel being the only black man in the room for most situations I would have to encounter. And that is why I have decided to write down three pieces of advice for any minority who is currently at or planning on attending a PWI (predominantly white Institution). 1. Find your group I’m not saying to go and pick out every POC that you see in the crowd and try to be friends with them, just to find people that you feel comfortable with, you know has similar morals/values and that you feel like you can be genuine around. When I was in my first year finding people that I could 100% relate to was a rarity, especially since the only people I was interacting with were the people in Risley. I didn’t let this stop me from finding a good group though, as I made a couple of amazing friend groups and just decided to surround myself with positive people and positive energy which made way for my love for Dal and my friends to grow exponentially. 2. Join a club There are a plethora of clubs/groups that involve diversity, check them out! My first week I went to an outdoor party that was being held by BASA (Dalhousie African Students Association) and I met so many cool people that I 100% wouldn’t have met if I didn’t show up to the Event. Another great example was the meet in Greet held by the Black Student Advising Center where I met so many people who are now a friendly face around campus & always people, I can talk to wherever I end up seeing them. 3. Have fun! Go out! The good thing about Halifax is that we have some of the most fun nightlife available at a Canadian university. Meeting people is so natural, and you will see every type of race, culture and religion getting together to enjoy each other's presence & just have fun, every time I go out, I can find at least one person I connect with in some way whether its music taste or laughing at that one guy dancing like a crazy person. Try to go to parties to give that new friend group a chance or to meet some new people and find out what they're about. If partying isn’t your thing go play your sport or check out the Dal events; painting or movie nights. Every time I walk into the Dalplex to play basketball I feel right at home, like I’m dapping up my long-time homies I've been playing ball with for years. (If you ever see me next semester come say hi, I'll throw you on my team.) Well, that’s all I have for right now, if you need any more advice let me know, I can talk about this for hours. But now it's time for me to get some rest as I have a train to catch at 7:54 tomorrow morning, peace out.  Hey! My name is Bella Pagotto, and this is my third year being a rep for Happy Human! I am also in my third year at Dalhousie, studying a BSc in Microbiology and Immunology and Gender and Women Studies.
All my life, it has been important to me to experience more than just one thing. Jumping at trying new things played a key role in my confidence in feeling secure in the things I did (or didn’t) like. Through that, I developed a huge respect for important aspects of my life: family, friends, competitive sports, reading, music. One of the most expansive qualities of life that I felt such a groove in was school. Not only was there a routine to school, but there was also promise. The promise of finding out something you never heard of before, to do and be better. It was a way I can flourish and excel but also a way I can reflect on my growth as a person and who I can be for those around me.  Written by Katie Wuotila, Happy Human Rep. Post pandemic, in university and potentially nearing your graduation date, it is almost impossible to feel like you have everything under control in your life. Comparing yourself to others, diving into the deep hole known as social media and constantly being questioned on what you want to do after graduation all can make it feel like you have no idea what you’re doing.
I felt like this after covid restrictions phased out of our university life and things started to go back to normal. The pandemic allowed me to hide from questions posed by the future and once it faded away, the amount of control I had over my daily life went with it. Once I settled into the regular chaos that is known as university, I quickly realized that I needed to understand that I was not supposed to have it figured out and life was supposed to be messy. Additionally, reading about other people’s experiences made mine feel much less chaotic. These books educated me on some important life topics I had not lived yet and comforted me that others had much crazier introductions to adolescent life than I. Here are 5 books you should read if you have no idea what you’re doing (which is ok).  Hello! My name is Agatha Rose Joseph, and this is my second year being a part of Happy Human Project! I am a Happy Human Rep and am in my third year of Computer Science at Dal. I landed in Halifax last fall, excited to be in a new city and atmosphere. Although the first few weeks were busy and exhilarating, I soon started to miss home and my family and all the fun I used to have with my friends back home. Over time, I've made new memories here, and Halifax feels like my second home. I'd love to share a few of my favorite places and things to do in Halifax if you're looking to study, stroll or eat. I was always hesitant to try new cuisines, but when my friend convinced me to try sushi, I fell in love with it and Japanese cuisine. Sushi Jet down on South Park Street has my heart with its ambiance, food presentation, and kind staff, and to top it all off, they have an all-you-can-eat option with delicious sushi and more for an affordable price! If you're looking for a place to run outside or even take a stroll, I highly recommend Point Pleasant Park, which is perfect for listening to music with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. Another place about 12km away from Halifax is Herring Cove, which I finally visited during the reading week right before sunset. The short walk from the bus stop to the cove was so serene, and I was in awe watching the waves roll in, sitting by the rocks. I'm always looking for cafes with decadent pastries that I can also study in, and one of my favorites is Creamy Rainbow, close to Park Lane, which has the cutest and most flavorful macarons and pastries. They have a calm ambiance making it a perfect spot to get some work done. If you're in the mood to go biking, rollerblading, or roller-skating outdoors during the summer or ice skating in the winter, do check out the Emera Oval, which is the largest outdoor, artificially refrigerated ice surface East of Quebec City. They offer free equipment rentals and offer skate and speed skate programs.   Hello everyone! My name is Cameron Perfitt, and I am a happy human representative this year. I am halfway through my third year at Dalhousie, pursuing a double major in Sustainability and International Development Studies. While this degree has taught me so many applicable aspects of how to be more sustainable in various interconnected ways, this knowledge has also come with an unfortunate side effect of being constantly surrounded by the need for more sustainable practices; eco-anxiety. Eco-anxiety is generally a form of anxiety surrounding the health of our environment and the adverse consequences of climate change, which have the power to alter our way of life drastically. While very nice, this specific form of anxiety in which has been given a lot more research in research years and is becoming an ever-important topic, especially for young people being exposed to the climate crisis and its real-world effect on our lives, whether that be through entering into the environmental sector for the first time, or even just scrolling through Instagram and news articles and seeing the worsening natural disasters around the world, including Hurricane Fiona in which happened last month. While I was fascinated and excited to learn about climate change and sustainability in a holistic way that I had not been taught in high school, I felt a lingering message: "It's up to me to fix climate change, and time is running out." With this renewed and heightened sense of climate anxiety, I changed every aspect of my life drastically. I became involved in activist groups, changed everything I purchased to zero waste, and ate only local, sustainable, and plant-based foods. However, mid-way through the second semester, I began to feel intensely burned out, like I was sacrificing my mental health and energy for the climate crisis, which only seemed to be worsening with our politicians continuing their business as usual. There must be a way to feel that I am making a tangible difference without completely exhausting my mental resources and seeking to do just that. I realized that something had to change. I started talking to various friends within my sustainability and international development studies classes. As a result, I found comfort in knowing I wasn't alone in feeling this way, using these conversations to release the feelings I had bottled up, and finding common ground with my friends. These conversations made me realize that having a sense of community and support was the best remedy to combat these intense feelings of eco-anxiety while also making me feel, for once, it was not just an uphill battle that I had to face alone. In the second semester of the first year, I began regaining my desire for organizing and activism. I eventually joined the local campus group, Dives Dal group, joining their weekly meetings, and gaining a new perspective on effective activism. This time, I was able to, but this time with a more cognisant view which showed me that it is essential to balance caring for a climate change action and letting it consume you. I began finding a passion for climate action and making a difference in a cause I care about deeply with a team that is equally as passionate and, most importantly, equally understands the importance of stepping back and taking time for yourself when needed. Another meaningful way I could reignite my passion for climate justice in a healthy and balanced way was through my reconnection to nature. As a kid, my family was very outdoorsy, often going on weekend camping trips and making time every day to spend some time walking around the nearby trails around my home. As I grew older and sports and school began to take precedence, I started spending more time outside and inside gyms, cars and libraries. While I was able to get by this way in high school, University I realized the importance of getting out. Following my burnout in my first year, I was determined to point to a pleasant park and appreciated the smell of the trees and the ocean air and how that was able to add a sense of renewal, focus and gratitude for everything in my life. While temporarily relieving my stress from study and paper writing, it also reminded me of what is at stake if we fail to protect and preserve our environment and how those impacts would affect us.
 Hello, my name is Allie Morrison and I am going into my second year of Kinesiology at Dalhousie . I have recently joined the Happy Human Project in the spring as a Happy Human Rep.
As we know, the past couple of years have been a very stressful and challenging time due to Covid lockdowns and the inability to see your friends, family, etc. I was greatly affected by this and noticed I was not enjoying my time in lockdown and was very unhappy. However, little did I know, this was an eye opening experience. I realized although we can’t see each other, we always have the outdoors. My family and I would make an effort to go for local hikes. We enjoyed this free time together that we may not have had otherwise. After restrictions were loosened we went on hikes around the province. There are many beautiful places in Nova Scotia and it really gave me the chance to realize how amazing this province is. This really helped me get through the stress of Covid lockdowns. It also made me realize that this is a great way to cope with all of life’s circumstances. Being outdoors is a great way to reset your mind. I carried this on throughout university, however, it is much more challenging to go on hikes while busy at school. I decided to try and be active and get outside or go to the gym when I could because this was a great way to take a break from school and relieve the stress and pressures of studying. Although lockdowns were awful it gave me time to reflect and realize what things I took for granted. Now I’d love to share these trails and adventures with my friends so they can have the same experience as well. |
