In September 2023, Hakim Mokwena’s plan to study in Montreal was off to a rocky start. Having begun his immigration process late due to personal circumstances, the student from Botswana found himself in a race against the clock – a race he was losing.
“Starting the process late ended up really biting me in the butt when classes began. There’s a good reason ISS webinars tell students to apply early. I didn’t get my study permit until three weeks after classes started. Having to catch up was really intense,” Mokwena said. “After that experience, I would say the most important thing for prospective international students is to apply for your immigration papers early. Save yourself the stress and sleepless nights!”
Despite these initial setbacks, Mokwena has come to call Montreal his second home. In the two years since his arrival, the Finance undergraduate has not only found his place within the community – on campus and in the city – but has truly come into his own.
Making the most of university life
Mokwena’s move to Canada was no arbitrary decision. A recipient of the Botswana Top Achievers’ Scholarship, a prestigious scholarship sponsored by the government of Botswana, Mokwena took the time to diligently research universities and the cities that would help shape his future. He chose Montreal.
“I had looked into the best universities around the world and was interested in McGill’s Finance program, which has a great reputation,” he explained. “After I found the program, I looked up different YouTubers who go to McGill and I just started falling more and more in love with the idea of coming here.”
Campus life was as important as academics to Mokwena. Despite a challenging first few months, he was determined to make the most of his university experience, pushing himself out of his comfort zone to meet new people and create a support network away from home.
“I was a little more reserved when I got here since I arrived late and things had started already” he said. “After I decided to put myself out there, follow my hobbies, and engage in the different spaces at McGill, my life took a 180-degree turn. I met my best friend when I joined the McGill African Students Society. MASS’s events are opportunities for me to share a piece of my culture and myself, and to learn about others, their languages and foods. Queer McGill has also offered something I hadn’t experienced back home: a space for queer individuals. I’ve been able to meet a lot of people who are like me in that sense.”
‘I felt like this is really where I’m supposed to be’
Exploring the possibilities offered by life in Montreal had been important in narrowing Mokwena’s ultimate choice. He had built a picture of the city’s cultural events through Instagram and Facebook posts, eventually finding the Montreal Kiki Ballroom Alliance page. A regularly scheduled competitive queer ballroom event, Kiki Balls allow participants to compete in various categories, from voguing to runway.
“I went to my first ball about a month after I arrived,” said Mokwena. “It was a really special moment for me because this was the first time I’d been in a room with only queer people around. That gave me an immense sense of joy, and I felt like this is really where I’m supposed to be, like my move was not a mistake.”
Pursuing that joy, Mokwena has been practising to compete in the ball’s amateur portion, even being invited to join sessions with other groups or houses.
“It was my mission to see a ball when I first got to Montreal, and now I’m going to do my first performance at the end of this month!”
Looking toward the future
Mokwena points to the important role friends have played in the life he has built away from home.
“It can be difficult to mature and learn to be an adult, especially if your main support system is thousands of miles away,” he observed. “The best way to get over these challenges is to find other support systems closer to you. I have friends who are older than me and also from Botswana, but I’ve met new people through McGill’s clubs and events with whom I’ve built very strong, lifelong bonds.”
About to enter his second year at the Desautels Faculty of Management, Mokwena has an eye on the future, but hasn’t forgotten his home country.
“I’m really grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had at McGill so far,” he said. “I’d like to pursue my studies after my bachelor’s degree, hopefully at McGill. I’m planning to gain some work experience and then bringing that knowledge back home to Botswana.”