Meet your fellow classmate,
Chirayu

Ahmedabad, IN

Nathan Phillips Square

This picture was taken in Toronto, Canada, during my time as an International Experience Program student in 2024. Visiting Toronto City Hall with my friends after classes at Laurentian University was a proud and unforgettable moment for me. As an engineering student from India, standing there reminded me how education and hard work can create global opportunities. The trip gave me confidence, independence, and lifelong memories. This place will always remind me of my journey, friendships, cultural experiences, and dreams for the future.

2026 Incoming Class

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Premkumar

Ahmedabad, IN

Marriage Party Plot, and Kadi City

This place, specifically, is not as important in general terms, but I have celebrated many regional festivals here like Navratri and Holi with my family, which makes this place very significant for me. I visited it last for my cousin sister's wedding. It was a very emotional moment as I had many memories with her. Unfortunately, from now on, I might not be able to visit this party plot for any gathering, as I am coming to Lakehead University for MSc in Computer Science this September.

2026 Incoming Class

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Shivam

Vadodara, Gujarat, IN

The VNF (Vadodara Navratri Festival) Garba Ground Vadodara, India

VNF (Vadodara Navratri Festival) Garba Ground is special to me because it represents joy, culture, and togetherness. The Garba venue is widely known for hosting one of the largest and most vibrant Navratri celebrations in India. Every year during Navratri, this place comes alive with music, lights, and traditional outfits. Every year, I was really excited for this festival because I love to wear new clothes, kurtas, and traditional outfits and play Garba for more than 3–4 hours without feeling tired. One of my favorite memories here was dancing with my friends and family late into the night while surrounded by the vibrant atmosphere and festive spirit. The sound of the dhol (a drum or large drum), the colorful decorations, and the excitement in the crowd created a feeling I will never forget. This place reminds me of my roots, my culture, and the happiness of celebrating traditions with the people I care about.

2026 Incoming Class

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Anuj

Jaipur, IN

Jabel Jais, Rasl Al Kahimah, United Arab Emirates

I stood on top of Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE, with tears in my eyes. To others, it was just a photo at a summit. To me, it was proof that I fought my way back to life. Not long ago, I weighed 125 kg. I was obese, borderline high blood pressure, and pre-diabetic. The day I saw my medical reports, I made a promise to myself that I would change. I would lose the weight, reclaim my health, and celebrate by climbing Jebel Jais. The next six months tested me with painful workouts, cravings, exhaustion, and moments of self-doubt. But slowly, I changed. By the time this picture was taken, I had lost 30 kg. Today, I weigh 93. I didn’t just climb a mountain. I rose above the person who thought he never could.

2026 Incoming Class

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Víctor

San Salvador, SV

The Cathedral of Our Lady Santa Ana, Santa Ana, El Salvador

I'm standing right in front of the Santa Ana Cathedral in El Salvador, with a flock of pigeons taking flight behind me. Both of my parents are from Santa Ana, and I vividly remember them bringing me here as a child to play with the pigeons and enjoy the artisanal Salvadoran ice cream sold right at the entrance. I moved to the capital many years ago, but coming back to take this photo and seeing children still playing in the cathedral’s atrium, just like I used to, truly warms my heart. I see a reflection of myself in these kids, and I hope they can achieve their dreams too, just like I'm doing now.

2026 Incoming Class

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Breakthrough

Ibadan, NG

Makoko Community, Lagos, Nigeria

This is Makoko, a community in Lagos, Nigeria, where survival often comes before ambition. I live in close proximity, and in places like this, to dream is expensive. Many children learn to fend for themselves long before they discover who they want to become. When your environment constantly reflects limitations, hope begins to feel like a luxury. Despite those realities, I found the courage to dream and push forward against the odds. I refused to let my beginnings define my future. This moment is more than a personal achievement; it is proof that our circumstances do not disqualify us from greatness. Great things can come from small places. Thank you to Lakehead University for helping make this dream possible. “The job’s not finished yet” (Kobe Bryant, 2009). There is still so much fire in me.

2026 Incoming Class

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Yazgul

Baku, AZ

Icheri Sheher Metro Station in Azerbaijan and the entrance to the Old City

I grew up right there, behind those walls. After my mother moved abroad for a better life, I was 12 and I was depressed. I would sit in the arches of the fortress walls after school, looking out and dreaming of a perfect future. I also looked after my younger brother and walked him to school nearby. I used to buy him pens and cookies with my lunch money. Nowadays he tells me how much those small gifts meant to him and he remembers my love and care. Later on, my father took my brother and left the city, leaving me behind. My small world in the Old City, where I had found so much peace despite the struggle, felt so far away. Now, as an adult, I come here to meditate and find peace. Touching these stones and looking out from the top of the walls makes me feel proud of the woman I’ve become.

2026 Incoming Class

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Fanfan

Xi'An, CN

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi Province

Also known as the Ci'en Temple Pagoda, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built in the third year of the Tang Dynasty's Yonghui era (652 AD). As the earliest and largest seven-story square brick pagoda of the Tang Dynasty still in existence, it has become one of Xi'an's most iconic ancient landmarks. From 2013 to the present, I completed my undergraduate studies in Xi'an and have since settled here with a stable job and life. This thousand-year-old pagoda has quietly witnessed my growth and transformation over the years.

2026 Incoming Class

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Chaitanyasinh

Gujarat, India, IN

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

This photo is so special for me as it is the first photo taken by the love of my life when we had our first trip together. My wife took this beautiful picture, and she also designed my outfit for the day. So, it is a very beautiful moment for me.

2026 Incoming Class

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Michael Gyimah

Akim Oda, GH

Bobokete, located in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal District in the Western Region of Ghana

This deprived community of Bobokete is meaningful to me because children in the community walk over 5 km to school; sometimes, the children feel reluctant to go to school because of the distance. I have been able to sensitize all the children in this deprived community to take their education seriously since it is their key to success irrespective of the distance. I have been going to this community to monitor and check out whether these kids are going to school or not. I have also taken the opportunity to sensitize every parent in the community as well, to take their children's education seriously. Farming is the only source of livelihood in the community. These children will become prominent people in future. So I think I have made an impact in these children's lives.

2026 Incoming Class

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Philipa

Kumasi, GH

University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana

This picture was taken on the day of my graduation, after I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering. It captures a special moment of me. This memory means a lot because it represents the culmination of four years of hard work, dedication, and everything I invested during that period. It also reflects the strong support of my family, especially my dad, who has been the main provider for us. I remember we had a small family gathering at the ceremony, taking pictures together to preserve the moment. Interestingly, this is one of my parent's favorite photo, it captures their first child in one frame. They love it so much that it is now framed and displayed at home.

2026 Incoming Class

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Ma Theresa

Philippines, PH

University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus

University of the Philippines (UP) is more than just a university to me. It’s where I first learned what it means to love my country, where I encountered my faith, where I met lifelong friends, and where my perspective on life was changed. Back then days were simple - we shared meals on the grass, played guitar, and sang songs until dusk. Studying here wasn’t always easy but UP will always be home. On weekends, the grounds fill with people on picnic mats and joggers trace familiar paths at night. It remains one of the few open spaces in my city where anyone can simply come. Manila’s urban plan is not blessed with parks; hence, amid the city’s hustle, this place feels like a sanctuary in the middle of chaos. I’ve come to truly understand a line from the UP anthem: "Though we wander to distant lands, the heart remains unchanged. Unchanged, it stays."

2026 Incoming Class

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Sarbjot Singh

New Delhi, IN

Taj Mahal, India

Standing before the Taj Mahal, I wasn’t just admiring its beauty, I was confronting my own unfinished story. The sky above was dark and uncertain, much like the phases I’ve gone through, where the path ahead felt unclear and the pressure felt heavy. Yet, right behind me stood something timeless, built not in comfort but through years of patience, sacrifice, and unwavering vision. In that contrast, I saw myself someone still in the process, still shaping purpose through struggle, still learning that real growth is never loud, but always consistent. What inspired me most was not just the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, but what it represents beyond it, the power of the human spirit to turn emotion into legacy. That moment became personal. It made me reflect on the silent efforts I put in every day, the discipline no one sees, and the belief I hold even when results aren’t immediate. This image captures more than a visit, It captures a mindset. A decision to stay grounded, to trust my journey, and to keep building with passion. Because just like the Taj Mahal, anything created with true dedication and spirit has the power to become something lasting, something greater than time itself.

2026 Incoming Class

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Yash

Vadodara, IN

Ahmedabad International Flower Show 2026, - Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

This photo was taken at the International Flower Show in January 2026. A wide variety of flowers were beautifully arranged to depict different Indian folk dances. The exhibition also featured a special theme inspired by a rocket, representing the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which added a creative and patriotic touch to the display.

2026 Incoming Class