Freezing temperatures and strong wind chills are taking a toll on international students at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., leaving many from warmer countries bundled up in multiple layers just to get through the day.
Environment Canada is warning of very cold wind chill values and advising residents to prepare appropriate winter clothing ahead of time.
Winter has brought serious challenges for Chantel Phiri, a Fanshawe student from Zimbabwe.
“I’ve fallen on ice and hit my head,” Phiri said, adding that she has also gotten sick during the colder months. “My immune system just isn’t used to it.”
Chantel Phiri, a Fanshawe student from Zimbabwe. XFM Reporter Melissa Ghanoum
“Who’s doing good in this weather anyways?” said Marwa Al Ali, a student who moved to London from Lebanon, as she stood outside in the wind.
Al Ali said adjusting to Canada’s winter has been one of the biggest challenges since arriving. Back home, she said, winter feels very different.
While London sat well below zero, temperatures in Beirut were around 14 C, nearly 30 degrees warmer.
A phone screen shows the temperature in Beirut, Lebanon, with Marwa Al Ali seated in the background at Fanshawe College in London, Ont.
This year marks student Kimberly Moonassar’s first winter in Canada, after arriving from the Caribbean last August. Monassar said “I wear, like, three pairs of socks in my boots, and gloves, but my fingers and my toes are still cold.”
Kimberly Moonassar, left, with her friend Sandra Dwumah. XFM Reporter Melissa Ghanoum
Aya Badia, a nursing student from Egypt, said the cold has been a shock, especially coming from a desert climate. “Back home, people go out at night because of the heat during the day,” Badia said. “People don’t wear jackets or hoodies.”
Aya Badia, a nursing student from Egypt at Fanshawe College.
XFM Reporter Melissa Ghanoum
She said the cold has affected everything from driving to getting to class, making already long days more challenging.
Local students are feeling the impact as well.
“It’s the worst. The cold feels more intense than in past winters,” said Savana Meyers, a child and youth care student “Five minutes outside and you’re getting frostbite.”
Students navigate snowy sidewalks near the bus stops at Fanshawe College in London, Ont. XFM Reporter Melissa Ghanoum
Here’s a look at the rest of the week forecast
Wednesday night: Flurries ending overnight then mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Wind west 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 16. Wind chill near minus 23.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. 40 percent chance of flurries early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Wind becoming west 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. Temperature steady near minus 14. Low minus 23. Wind chill minus 20 in the evening and minus 30 overnight. Risk of frostbite.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of flurries. High minus 13.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of flurries. High minus 9.
Sunday: Sunny. High minus 7.
