About QTSA
QTSA is an AMS-ratified club at Queen's University in Kingston, founded in 2025.
Our mandate
“QTSA is the only dedicated platform at Queen's University for Turkish culture, language and heritage, existing to celebrate Turkish traditions and build a social community for Turkish students and those interested in Türkiye. The Club takes its spirit from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who placed his trust in young people and held that the truest guide in life is knowledge. It is secular, forward-looking, and open to every Queen's student who wishes to share in it.”QTSA Constitution, s.2.1
Objectives
What we set out to do
- To celebrate and share Turkish culture, language and heritage through regular cultural, social and educational programming.
- To mark Turkish national days and commemorations.
- To build a social community for international Turkish students, Canadian-raised Turkish students, and students interested in Turkish culture.
- To foster cross-cultural dialogue on campus by collaborating with other cultural, academic and community clubs and with Turkish student associations at other Canadian universities.
- To provide members with professional development and networking opportunities.
What makes us different
A club for everyone
A cultural club, not a religious one
QTSA is secular and open to students of every faith or belief background.
Specifically Turkish
Türkiye shares history and cuisine with its neighbours, but QTSA celebrates Türkiye's own language, heritage and traditions.
Between two continents
Türkiye sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and QTSA reflects roots from both.
For everyone
International Turkish students, Canadian-raised Turkish students, and anyone curious about Turkish culture are all welcome.
Our story
History
- Fall 2025QTSA launched on Instagram on October 19, 2025 and held its Very First Gathering on Friday, October 24, 2025 in Ellis Hall, with more than 20 students.
- November 2025The first Executive Team hiring campaign ran from November 5 to 10. The founding team grew to 17 executives.
- Winter 2026Grizzly Night, Sunday Coffee, Bowling Night on February 22, and Sushi Night.
- March 28, 2026The first Anatolian Night at Le Jardin Mayla, our flagship end-of-year celebration.
- 2025–26 in numbers17 executives, and 33 members joined in the first year.
- Fall 2026A second executive team of 17, a full year of events, and ratification by the AMS.
Sustainability & inclusion
How we run our events
- Digital tickets and digital promotion.
- Decorations reused from year to year.
- Accessible venues where possible.
- Allergen information when food is served.