Name: Phil Schwarz
Year of Study: 1st Year
Program of study: Specialist in International Relations, Minor in Latin American Studies
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Status: Single
College: Trinity College
Favourite part of frosh week: Getting to know the phenomenal and unbelievably kind upper years who managed to organize an incredible frosh week has been wonderful; it truly enhanced the overall welcome to the Trin community and made me feel as though I belonged.
First impression of frosh week: Ever since move-in day in frosh week, I loved the incredible atmosphere the leaders managed to foster. I knew from that moment onwards, Trinity was the place for me.
Expectations for first year: I anticipate working very hard with my fellow first years, facing challenges I’ve yet to encounter in my high school career and creating bonds in and out of the lecture hall.
A high school memory: Some of my favourite memories from high school are from the art department’s yearly trips to Montreal. We always visited the Musée des beaux-arts, the Musée des arts contemporains, and the Belgo Buildings, all of which hosted fantastic exhibits apart from their mesmerizing permanent collections. My favourite piece was entitled “This Situation,” by Tino Sehgal.
Aspirations: I aspire to acquire a position in the Canadian government’s foreign service, or a similar such position that would permit me to travel and visit places I would otherwise most likely not have the opportunity to experience.
Something you never expected about University and frosh week: I would have never thought as many people to be as accepting and warm as they were, which truly aided the transition between high school and university.
Clubs you found interesting at Clubs Fair: The TCVS, Hart House Camera Club, the International Relations Society, and Trin’s Finer Things Club are all clubs I found interesting and with which I foresee myself becoming involved.
Hobbies: I really enjoy running and photography in my free time, but those usually require me leaving my bed. My adoration for some cozy blankets, hot chocolate, and Netflix is borderline unhealthy.
Funny fact about yourself: I am unusually flexible and am able to put my feet behind my head and do the splits.
If you could be an animal, which one would you be and why? If I could be any animal, I would be a hedgehog because I would always be able to curl up inside myself and fall asleep.
What was the scariest thing you have ever done? The scariest thing I’ve ever done would probably have been coming out.
Something unusual that you really would like to do: I’ve always wanted to go skydiving! It would be a truly thrilling experience and I think it would be phenomenal to view the world from such a radically different perspective.