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Tea Time Talks

Join Tea Time Talks to explore cultural traditions, celebrate diverse perspectives and connect with fellow students in an inclusive environment. Sessions highlight important events and celebrations such as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Chuseok (Korean Autumn Harvest Festival), Diwali, Lunar New Year, Nowruz and more. We also dive into meaningful topics like identity, self-care, mental health and overall well-being.

Tea Time Talks gives you the opportunity to share your experiences, hear different perspectives and take part in open, respectful conversations. Together, we build understanding, strengthen connections and create a more supportive campus community.

Want to lead a session? Student clubs, organizations and campus partners are invited to lead a Tea Time Talks session with support from Founders College.

Upcoming Events


Tea Time Talk: Sip and Stitch with Caroline De Klerk

Date: September 28, 2026
Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: 305 Founders College

Caroline De Klerk will teach attendees two basic knitting stitches.

Group of students sitting around a desk talking

Information for Attendees

Learn about upcoming sessions, event format and how to participate.

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Collaborate with Us

Partner with LA&PS Colleges to plan a session and share your community, culture or lived experiences.

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Explore Previous Sessions

Browse past Tea Time Talks and discover the conversations that have brought our community together.

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Meet the Team


Evan Han

Evan spearheaded the inaugural 2025-2026 Tea Time Talks series and his hard work has laid the foundation for future successful talks. During the inaugural year, Evan skillfully balanced reaching out to clubs, developed robust workshops and created thoughtful and inclusive questions for discussion. Additionally, he oversaw logistical details, such as room bookings, photography and attendance. At every stage, Evan prioritized respect, inclusivity and knowledge mobilization. Evan’s hard work has been recognized by a wider community, and he has been invited to present Tea Time Talks at an upcoming conference. 


Lavina Sadhwani

Lavina provided the vision, mentorship and leadership that guided the inaugural 2025–2026 Tea Time Talks series from concept to completion. Throughout the year, she fostered meaningful partnerships, championed student-led dialogue and ensured that each session reflected the values of inclusion, respect and community engagement. As a Student Engagement Coordinator, Lavina balanced strategic planning with thoughtful mentorship, empowering student leaders to take ownership while providing guidance every step of the way. Her commitment to creating intentional spaces for learning and connection has established a strong foundation for the continued growth of Tea Time Talks. 

Previous Sessions

Since 2025 we’ve been working with collaborators to co-host Tea Time Talks. Find out who we’ve worked with to provide enriching experiences to the York community. We hope to work with you in the future!

March marked Iranian Heritage Month and Iranian Unity at York University (IUYU) presented information about Iranian culture, heritage and identity from their perspective. An important discussion about the role of culture and community emerged from the presentation, and attendees discussed how these factors shape a sense of belonging on campus.

At the February session, Holly Stacey from Student Counselling, Health & Well-being discussed how stress, pressure and expectations can affect our well-being. She also shared strategies for maintaining well-being and building resilience. Attendees had the opportunity to experience virtual reality games.

The January session highlighted the meaning of belonging and identity for students with various backgrounds and identities. Students discussed how the campus and space create inclusivity and shared their experience at York as students. 

The November session highlighted the meaning of Diwali through panel reflections, cultural stories, tea and sweet tastings and group conversations. Students discussed how festivals become sources of connection and identity far from home.

This session explored Chuseok, Korean’s autumn harvest festival through storytelling, traditional foods, panel questions and discussion around cultural identity for Korean students living in Canada.

This inaugural session centred Indigenous voices by inviting ISAY to lead a panel discussion on truth, reconciliation and Indigenous experiences in Canada. The session featured a land acknowledgement and a collaborative format that incorporated storytelling, panel discussions and guided conversations.

testimonials


Our club was honoured to participate in the Tea Time Talk on Reconciliation. It created a meaningful space for honest conversation, shared learning and connection across communities. It was also a positive step in terms of reconciliation at York. We are grateful for the opportunity to listen, reflect and continue supporting reconciliation in ways that are grounded in respect, relationship-building and ongoing action done in relational ways.

Indigenous Students’ Association at York (ISAY)




We truly enjoyed collaborating with the Tea Time Talks team. The planning process was smooth, thoughtful and incredibly supportive from start to finish. Sharing the story and cultural significance of Diwali in a community space had a meaningful impact on both our executive team and the students who attended. We appreciated how the format created room for storytelling, reflection, open dialogue and genuine engagement rather than just surface-level presentation. Our organization especially valued the welcoming environment that encouraged participants from all backgrounds to ask questions, share insights and connect through culture. Initiatives like Tea Time Talks are essential at York because they help students feel seen, celebrated and included, while also building bridges across different identities and experiences.

— Indian Cultural Association (ICA)


Questions?

If you are interested in collaborating with Tea Time Talks, or would simply like to learn more, contact Lavina, Student Engagement Coordinator, at lavinas@yorku.ca.