I really enjoy my professors. I remember my sister telling me it’s a university, it’s not like high school where teachers take interest in you or care about you like that. But I found that my experience with these Lakehead professors and every single professor I’ve had this year, it’s been different. They actually care, they actually want to see me succeed, and it’s really touching to me. I’ve also enjoyed being a peer mentor. I’ve met new people, people that are from places close to where I’m from as well. It's been fun!

I found that Orillia is a city of art, which connects to my program. Before the summer holiday, I came to the campus and visited the downtown of Orillia. I felt that it is a suitable place to study. I enjoyed my time in the museum. I also learned many skills which I did not know before, for example in photography, and I have been able to practice my language skills, too. In the future, I would like to do something related to photography. Therefore, this kind of university experience has helped me. In the future, I would like to go to see the world.

I joined the men's varsity soccer team and had a lot of fun with the squad. Since a young age, I have been into sports, soccer in particular. I played soccer at a high level in India, and I was able to join the varsity team when I came to Lakehead. Sports have always been a crucial part of my life, and I still continue to play soccer after graduating. For others, it might be recreation and an attempt to stay active, but my reason is completely different; I got involved in sports because of my passion.

The multicultural environment in Canada has broadened my perspective making me more open-minded and appreciative of diverse cultures and viewpoints and being an international student helped me develop my independence and resilience, which I see as a big thing. I made some great memories over here, and met some nice people. I feel like those moments you cherish them to the end. It’s a wonderful experience that can't be explained. 

I wasn't expecting my entire outlook on cultures to change when I came to Canada, but it did — completely. In one of the leadership programs I took part in, there were different international students coming together for certain projects. Canada made me a more diverse person. I feel as if I’m open to more points of views now, open to living and being around different types of people with different mentalities and cultures. I also had the chance to represent Lakehead in France for an exchange semester. That was a very, very big accomplishment for me, so I’m grateful for that!

When I was growing up, I wanted to pursue many careers. I wanted to do architecture first then I wanted to be a physician. Once I decided I wanted to be a physician, I kind of narrowed it down to biology. But when I came to Lakehead, with all the research done here, I fell in love with biotechnology. So my future plans are to join a pharmaceutical company using my major from Lakehead. University was harder than I had expected. I didn't fully understand how difficult it was to get here and all the challenges in the middle.

Something I will always remember about my time at Lakehead is the friends who became family. People in Thunder Bay are amazing and there is no question that Lakehead plays a vital role. I had my first job here, too. So many firsts! I was just 18 when I moved to Canada, so I had to learn a lot. My time at Lakehead definitely developed me in every way possible. If I could give advice to my first-year self it would be...don't be afraid to take chances. Be brave, and go in pursuit of whatever ignites your spirit.

The Field School opportunities offered in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management are unlike any other across Canada. Field school allowed me to sharpen my practical skills and knowledge acquired in classrooms and to learn more about different natural resource sectors and what career pathways they offer before I even graduated. We would visit conservation areas, forest industries, and meet with professionals from different energy sectors.

“In my Education programs, I have hands-on experience that I give me a chance to work at an elementary school. I was in charge of a group of grade 6 students. I can also apply many tips I learned from the courses I took to my placement. Studying at Lakehead and interacting with my classmates also give me an idea of how my future students will interact with each other.

Student in the Lakehead-Georgian Computer Science partnership program

"This program allows me to earn both a diploma and degree at the same time, so by the time some people have earned only a degree or a diploma, I will earn both. The smaller class sizes at Lakehead-Georgian mean that I get personalized help because the teacher-student connection is so strong. I am still in contact with my previous professors, and sometimes we even discuss projects or possible jobs."