Since arriving in the Ilam region of Nepal, it’s been hard to miss the sprawling hills of tea gardens. They line every hillside, and fill the views with lush, orderly rows of bushes. Tea is Ilam district’s primary export, and a key feature of the local economy.
When we arrived in Gorkhe, a village in Ilam, Nepal, we were greeted warmly by the village’s young girls in traditional dress, holding small bouquets. There was music, dance, and kind greetings exchanged by all. We walked up the street, passing the market vendors along the way. After having tea at the community centre, we were taken to our individual homestays.
During our stay in Gorkhe, we had the opportunity to visit the local elementary and high school, giving us the chance to interact with the teachers, administrators and students. The visit was organized by one of the teachers, Bishal. Our group got a tour of the school facilities while discussing the challenges faced by teachers and students to improve the learning experience in their region.
Research-intensive universities like the University of Guelph are a gift to society. These institutions attract the leading minds in their fields, addressing challenges and seizing opportunities to advance the understanding of pressing issues.
Their work is for society’s good. Where else would you find this sweeping range of talent under one roof? Nowhere.
Most scientists regard groundwater as a physical resource, a common compound quietly existing beneath their feet.
How do you feel at home in a new place? How to build community here? And how do you hold on to who you are while growing into someone new?
Those are huge questions for people like Shruti Chandrashekhar Nadkarni, who are working hard to navigate the often-invisible threads of belonging. But now, as a fourth-year international PhD student in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Guelph, Shruti’s journey is yielding results. She hopes her story offers hope for others facing challenges finding their way.
Naythrah Thevathasan, a Guelph native and a proud Gryphon, has achieved remarkable milestones in her journey as a health care professional. Her path reflects a deep dedication to pediatric care and public health, shaped by diverse academic experiences, a global outlook and factors in her own home.
Guneet Kaur’s academic journey started with a deep dive into biological sciences, exploring how living systems work at a fundamental level. This sparked an interest in applied genetics, where she dug deeper into how cells function and interact. But just understanding wasn’t enough—she wanted to take it a step further and start designing and modifying biological systems. That curiosity led her into biochemical engineering, where Kaur now uses her knowledge to manipulate cells, including microbes, to create bio-based products.
As a South Asian, it is no surprise that Bollywood has been an integral part of my upbringing. From vibrant musicals to emotionally charged dramas, Bollywood films have been a source of joy and a bridge to my cultural roots. As one of the largest and most influential film industries in the world, it continues to shape the identities and experiences of millions.
The lack of South Asian representation, be it in media or growing up in the UK, was not obvious to me until I moved to Canada when I was 10 years old. I lived in a suburban area in the UK near London, where culture was not something that was talked about very often.