As final exams get closer and the winter semester ends, Chartwells turned Humber’s E Concourse into a fun and magical place, surprising students with live street-style magic, food, and fun activities to help them relax.
The April 3 event, organized by Chartwells and Humber Eats, who provide food on campus, centred around a professional magician performing live street-style tricks for students.
“We were thinking of doing something fun that breaks the monotony,” said Harmanpreet Singh, marketing manager at Chartwells. “It’s the end of the semester, students are heading into exams, and we wanted to celebrate in a way that was light, fun, and required no effort on their part, just good vibes.”
Singh said Chartwells chose this specific performer due to a longstanding relationship with the artist.
“We’ve worked with them before at other institutions, and they’ve always brought a smile to students' faces," he said. "That’s exactly what we aim for.”
SIngh said the event featured themed food stations and interactive activities, aiming to recreate the feel of street magic with a modern twist.
“The goal was simple. Bring some nostalgia, fun, and a bit of magic before exams hit,” he said.
Sandeep Kachroo, resident district manager at Chartwells, said it's important to engage students in ways beyond food.
“This isn’t just about food,” he said. “It’s about thanking students for using our services all year and building relationships beyond the cafeteria.”
Kachroo said post-pandemic student engagement has shifted.
“During COVID, everything was online. We used QR tools and digital ordering systems, but now we want to connect again, face to face,” he said. “Events like this help us understand what excites students and how we can serve them better, both nutritionally and socially.”
Singh said it was tricky to work with outside vendors while handling their usual tasks.
“It takes planning to make it all work,” he said. “But seeing students smile and take pictures is the best reward.”
Chartwells funds events like these through an annual engagement budget allocated for student-centred activities.
“We’ve done events around Valentine’s Day, paint nights, and more,” Singh said. “Each one is different, but the heart of it remains the same, creating joy and community.”
As students enjoyed card tricks, caricature artists, balloon twisters, Dragon’s breath candy, and other activities while having snacks and snapping selfies, it was clear that for a few hours, stress took a back seat, and that might be the real magic.
