I would tell any prospective grad students to visit the campuses they are applying to, and talk to students in their program(s) of interest! A major factor in my staying at Guelph was the campus community, and knowing that I would be supported throughout my studies in not only my academics, but also through the social atmosphere on campus.
I lived in Ridgetown as this is where my research was conducted. Although Ridgetown does not have much infrastructure in comparison to the City of Guelph, it has large acres of land for research in agriculture. I sometimes enjoyed a tour on the vast land with various research work going on. Personally, I think Ridgetown may be the town with the kindest people I have met, and I know the same is true for the City of Guelph.
“Since I immigrated to Canada from Bangladesh in 2001 I have been living in Guelph. I cannot think of a city better than Guelph. People here are very friendly and dedicated to making their city a better place Guelph has a nice blend of rural and urban atmosphere; it's not too big or too small.”
Drawing on my experience in academia and research, I would advise prospective graduate students to embrace challenges. When confronted with a difficult situation, tackle it directly rather than trying to avoid it. You'll often find that the solution emerges as you delve into understanding and addressing the challenge at hand.
Guelph is an amazing school academically and socially. You will be able to conduct cutting-edge research, surrounded by people who passionate, intelligent and supportive. There are so many social events and opportunities so don't be nervous to join clubs, teams or come out to social events!
Other universities feel like universities, but U of G feels like home. I love that the campus has trees, green spaces, and historic buildings combined with modern elements. Where else would you get to see a cannon regularly painted in the cover of darkness, or a bear statue dressed up for special occasions? The student community is also wonderfully supportive, kind, outgoing, and charismatic. U of G has a personality like no other school.
“When I was a graduate student at Guelph, I constantly challenged my own preconceived notions. I’ve was exposed to a variety of perspectives, which forced me to alter my thoughts on a wide range of subjects and forced me to think more critically. ”
People are very friendly and kind, and respect each other's culture. I feel like I am at a home away from home. There is not the rush and noise that you find in most cities. Life is…perfect here.
Being a graduate student at UofG is a wonderful opportunity. There is a fantastic support system here to help you progress and succeed in research, made up of faculty, support staff and other graduate students.
