The Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies will be closed from December 16 to 20. In-person services will be available only by appointment. We will continue to be available online. To book an appointment please refer to our Contact Us directory.
Document submissions: please use the drop-box located outside our office.
Miriam Bart
Program
2018 Graduate – Rural Planning and Development, MSc (Planning)
Why I Chose Guelph…
I chose the University of Guelph because of the campus culture and my program. I visited the school prior to selecting it for graduate studies and was welcomed into the community by professors and students. I selected my program because the unique rural focus offered an approach to planning that I was not yet familiar with, but one that I understood to be critical due to increasing urban sprawl that is affecting rural areas and identities.
About the City of Guelph…
It is so walkable! I loved walking around the downtown, popping in and out of bakeries and discovering new stores.
Being a Graduate Student at Guelph…
Being a graduate student at Guelph was great. There were so many opportunities to get involved, meet new people, and engage in intellectual discussions. My favourite part was being a student in one of the four programs in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD). That provides students with a unique opportunity to meet others in related fields and discover common areas of interests.
My Future Plans…
I plan to begin the journey of becoming a Registered Professional Planner. Guelph has helped me reach that goal because the faculty arranged several interactions with professionals in the field. Additionally, I was elected as the first-year representative to the Student Liaison Committee with the Ontario Professional Planning Institute, which helped me gain insight into the broader planning community, including the five other planning schools in Ontario.
About Campus…
Guelph Campus is buzzing with creativity. There is a diverse range of style among students who seem to wear their passions on their sleeves. For instance, you never know what the Cannon will look like or what group will be advertising an upcoming event. It is so exciting to learn about all the topics that students care about while walking around campus. I think studying in this environment fosters a sense of creativity that has a positive influence on our research interests, extra-curricular activities and social circles.
Every day, someone will smile at you. This is something that is so special to have.