Ten Things I Love about UPEI
Valentine’s Day was over a week ago, and while everyone was publicly declaring their undying love for people, places, and overpriced chocolates, it only felt right to acknowledge one of the most complicated relationships in my life: the one with my university.
Love shows up in different shapes and forms for me. Here at the University of Prince Edward Island, it shows up in friendships, supportive professors, and the sheer abundance of free food. And as much as I love it here, sometimes it’s the complete opposite. The 11:59 p.m. deadlines and Island winds strong enough to humble and make you question your entire existence will do it for me any given day.
It is a love story… just with more caffeine and tuition. So, here are ten things that I love, and occasionally side-eye about UPEI.
1. I love the small campus that makes you feel seen
With roughly 6,000 students, UPEI is small enough that some professors recognize your face, and sometimes your mishaps. Research shows smaller class sizes improve engagement and academic performance, and honestly, being known by name helps keep me more accountable.
2. I love that it is in a small town with big charm, and a tiny commute
Living in Charlottetown means your “long commute” is 15-30 minutes. I have friends in bigger cities who have to commute 2 hours every day. No subway delays. No traffic nightmares. Just vibes and the occasional wind that tries to humble you.
3. I love the wind. Yes, the wind.
P.E.I. winds have been essential to my character development. They will ruin your hair, your umbrella, and most times your mood, but they also make you feel like you survived something. Growth in every step.
4. I love how everyone is somehow connected
Coming from a city with well over four million people living there, I barely knew everyone on my street. In P.E.I. – and by extension, UPEI – someone you just met knows someone who knows you. The Island’s tight-knit culture creates strong social networks, which also means your business travels fast.
5. I love the community
There is a community here for everyone. About one-third of UPEI students are international, bringing global perspectives into classrooms and group chats. Regardless of your belief, values, demography, or hobbies, there is a group for you. If you have not found one yet, you probably haven’t looked hard enough.
6. I love the campus events that carry the semester
From club events to cultural showcases, campus events break up the academic grind. Research shows extracurricular involvement improves student retention and satisfaction. Translation: touching grass and crafts with your besties is good for you.
7. I love the library grind culture
The Robertson Library is where academic comebacks are born. We are halfway through the semester, which means you will start seeing more people rewriting essays, rethinking life choices, and discovering caffeine has alleged limits. I have only been to the library a handful of times, but I know I will always find at least one person who relates to my struggles.
8. I love that there are professors who actually care
At larger universities, you can feel like a number. Here, faculty mentorship is real. Studies consistently show that strong student–faculty relationships improve academic outcomes and career readiness, and sometimes they just help you believe you belong. Plus, they make for good references.
9. I love that Island life forces a sense of balance
P.E.I.’s slower pace, in a way, nudges you toward balance. You can study, work, and still see the ocean in the same day (if you are not burnt out yet). Coastal environments are linked to reduced stress and improved mental health. Science says the beach is therapy.
10. I love that the shared struggle builds community
Whether it is finals week, tuition increases, or group projects where one person disappears, shared challenges create solidarity. I read that students who feel a sense of belonging are more likely to succeed, and nothing bonds people more than collectively suffering through exam season.
So… is it worth it? Student life costs sleep, money, and occasionally your sanity. But it also builds friendships, resilience, and a sense of identity that is hard to replicate anywhere else.
At UPEI, the love–hate relationship is part of the experience. I complain about the wind, the workload, and the Wi-Fi, but I know when I leave, I will miss it. And honestly? That’s how I know it mattered.
