A graduate student at the University of Guelph is a lot of work, but it is very rewarding. My schedule was even more flexible now than when I was an undergraduate student, which is very important because you have to make time for everything. There are classes and seminars, research, meetings, Teaching Assistantship(s), mentoring, and readings happening constantly. If you plan things well, you can get involved on campus or have a social life, too!
I loved being a PhD student here. My advisors and labmates were all very supportive of my research endeavors. I enjoyed being in charge of my own research project.
Professors at the University of Guelph are exemplary in their professional acumen. Over and above this, there are plenty of opportunities, like Teaching Assistantship (GTA) and Research Assistantship (RA), for an international graduate student to help fund their studies.
My advice for prospective grad students is to reach out to people. When I was looking at the CDE program, I reached out to a couple of graduated students in different fields to talk about their experience in the program. This information was very valuable and helped me to make a confident choice. If you have any questions about the program or my experience please feel welcome to reach out.
Being a graduate student at U of G 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.
There are so many ways to pursue your passions and interests. I'd recommend that prospective grad students be certain that they are ready for the rigour and commitment required by graduate studies. Be open to new ideas, critiques, and other ways of seeing the world. Learn from your peers, students, university staff, and the wider community, in addition to your professors. Be generous with others and build community. Don't forget where you come from.
If you are considering graduate studies, I suggest that you take your research interests and see who on campus is pursuing something that aligns with them. Given the wide range of topics and fields of study here, I would not be surprised to see at least one other individual or faculty member engaged in some research that closely mirrors the interests of the student.
“As a U of G student I have taken part in many intramural sports including soccer, softball, football, hockey and volleyball. I have had great experiences, both as an intramural player and captain. The availability of such a wide variety of athletic opportunities for students is a great addition to the university.”
