SUSTAIN 3SS3 is unique in the fact that it provides students with a hands-on opportunity to be as creative as possible to create meaningful, sustainable change within our Hamilton community.

What stood out in this course compared to other courses you have taken at McMaster?
SUSTAIN 3SS3 is unique in the fact that it provides students with a hands-on opportunity to be as creative as possible to create meaningful, sustainable change within our Hamilton community. Compared to other courses I’ve taken at McMaster, this course was highly interdisciplinary and I found it to be really an enriching experience in learning alongside peers who came from such diverse academic backgrounds. When I first enrolled in SUSTAIN 3SS3, I remember being really excited to see what opportunities would lie ahead and what I would discover about myself in the process. Now that I’ve taken the class, this mindset was instrumental in helping me to discover more about myself and passions.

What was your favourite topic taught in class; what lessons will you take with you?
My favourite topic taught in class was learning the principles of Behaviour Change and Engagement. Prior to this lecture, I had a solid understanding of the importance of gathering opinions from a diverse number of audiences when suggesting or creating changes for the community. What I didn’t quite know was the “how”, as in how to actually engage and promote active participation of diverse audiences in an accessible and well-represented manner. The skills that I’ve learned in this one lecture has helped me tremendously in learning how to properly reflect on my actions and shape my ideas in meaningful ways.

If you could give any advice to a student interested in taking or enrolled in preparation for SUSTAIN 3SS3, what would you say?
Come into the course with an openness to step out of your comfort zone and explore new opportunities. The course provides students with numerous resources, workshops, and support but I found it to be the most rewarding and meaningful when you allow yourself to be vulnerable and seek new challenges. While pushing yourself out of your comfort zone might seem scary at first, I found that this will only helped me to better understand my passions and goals, and in the process I also gained a whole new set of skills that I otherwise wouldn’t have.

Sustain 3SS3 was a unique course that offers students a chance at collaborative approaches to community change that can be incredibly powerful in creating positive and sustainable impact.

Sustain 3SS3 was a unique course that offers students a chance at collaborative approaches to community change that can be incredibly powerful in creating positive and sustainable impact. In this course, students can learn how to work with diverse stakeholders, build partnerships, and engage communities in problem-solving. These skills are essential for anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in the world.