I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend CAN-CWIC 2024. With approximately 500 attendees and a packed 24-hour schedule, the event was short but truly unforgettable. More than anything, the conference provided a great chance to network and connect with students from across Canada. The highlight for me was the meaningful conversations and shared experiences with other attendees; despite coming from different schools and provinces, it was clear that we all relate to one another in unique but familiar ways.

DAY 1

The conference kicked off on Friday evening, but my journey began earlier that afternoon. I arrived at the hotel in Toronto around 3 PM, just as several university shuttles were starting to arrive. A complimentary night's stay at a hotel with a fellow student was included in the event registration. While checking in, I met a few other students, and we decided to head to the conference venue together. Although out-of-province attendees were responsible for arranging their own transportation, we were fortunate to catch a ride with one of the university shuttles.

We reached the venue, York University, at 5 PM, where we checked in. With some time to spare before the opening ceremony, we were encouraged to mingle with the other attendees. It was so nice to see so many women in tech gathered in one place.

At 6 PM, the opening ceremony began, featuring a series of inspiring speakers. Each woman shared her unique story of endurance, perseverance, and empowerment. Their words resonated deeply with me, leaving me inspired to challenge myself and aim higher in my personal and professional journey. During the ceremony, SFU received a special shoutout for hosting the first-ever CAN-CWIC West, which livestreamed the speeches to students attending the SFU watch party in Vancouver.

Following the ceremony, dinner was served at 7 PM. It was a pretty cool experience, with multiple food stations spread throughout the room. Dessert was served later in the evening. Since there was no assigned seating, we were encouraged once again to mingle. I took this opportunity to meet even more incredible students, all of whom are doing great work in the tech field. Despite coming from different provinces and schools, it was reassuring to see how much we all share in terms of experiences and aspirations.

The evening wrapped up around 10 PM. Unfortunately, there was a small mix-up with the shuttle arrangements, so a group of us ended up splitting a few Ubers back to the hotel.

DAY 2

Saturday morning started bright and early. Breakfast was served at the venue from 7:30 to 8:30 AM, so along with a group of out-of-province students, we made our way to the venue via subway luggage in tow. Thankfully, the hotel was conveniently located next to a subway station, and York University has its own stop, making the trip relatively easy. Walking across campus to the conference venue gave us an impromptu tour of the beautiful campus.

Once at the venue, we checked our bags at coat check and grabbed a quick breakfast. The spread included pastries, fruit, and yogurt, which was a refreshing start to the day. Shortly after, we gathered for another round of inspiring talks. Similar to the previous evening, the speakers shared their journeys, filled with challenges and triumphs, further motivating us to pursue excellence.

The morning transitioned into workshops and lightning talks. I appreciated how the organizers scheduled these sessions separately from the career fair, which meant I didn't have to choose between the two. The workshops and talks covered a diverse range of interesting topics.

At 1 PM, we took a lunch break. We could choose from a selection of prepared meal sets, and a few of us found a spot on the top floor of the building. The view of the campus from there was beautiful, making it the perfect place to settle and chat.

The career fair began at 2 PM and continued until the end of the conference. While there wasn't a large selection of companies present, it allowed for better conversations with the company representatives. I appreciated the chance to ask questions and learn more about the opportunities available.

Before the conference concluded, I took some pictures at the photo booth-capturing a few final memories and said my goodbyes to the friends I had made over the two days.

While the conference had its moments of chaos, the overall experience was extremely rewarding. The opportunity to meet other students from across the country, hear from inspiring women in tech, and participate in workshops and career-related activities made it an event to remember. I left CAN-CWIC 2024 feeling truly inspired and grateful for the valuable connections I made.