PhD. in Environment and Sustainability – University of Saskatchewan

I am Inés Sanchez-Rodriguez, I am from Colombia. My former schools are the National University of Colombia and Pedagogic National University of Colombia. Currently, I am PhD. student at the University of Saskatchewan. I am undertaking the PhD program in Environment and Sustainability, with a focus on hydrological computational modeling. My goal is to develop a computational model for infiltration in frozen soils. I firmly believe that computational modeling and its collaborative development are an opportunity to better Water resources management. Open Collaboration is my life philosophy. When I am not working on my research or other duties, I enjoy my bike, art movies, mindfulness practices, and science fiction literature.

1. Why the University of Saskatchewan?

Three main reasons led me to apply to this University: 1. The PhD program goes beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplinary programs, and it addresses environmental and sustainability challenges with regional, national, and international significance. 2. This PhD program is known to attain the students into a deep understanding of sustainability concepts, while we are designing and implementing our own original research. 3. The support of the Global Institute of Water Security and The Global Water Futures Program. Without a doubt, my professors, including my supervisor, are at the top of hydrological research.

2. Did you receive any scholarships to help fund your studies?

Yes, I did

1. If so, can you tell us more about the scholarship you received?

My supervisor leads a project that belongs to the Global Water Futures project. My tuition and live expenses come from that fund.

3. How was your experience as an International Student?

It was excellent, I was able to learn not only from the Canadian culture but also, I learned from my colleagues that come from several places in the world. As a multicultural country, Canada’s context offers you the opportunity to go beyond imaginary boundaries.

4. How was student life like on and off-campus?

Life inside the campus is comfortable. I worked at my office inside the lab, and I shared the space with my research team. The university has several facilities to enjoy your free time.

Regarding social life outside the campus, I would like to mention that Saskatoon is not a big city and is known for its extreme weather. Despite this, in Saskatoon, you can find several events (as the Jazz festival in summer) in addition to the social activities that people, in general, are always organizing. To be honest, as a graduate student, your time is valuable; in my opinion, Saskatoon city has the perfect balance to keep proper time management.

5. Any advice for future candidates that would like to come to Canada to do their graduate studies?

In my mind comes up several of them, but I would summarize them into three:

Firstly, if you are working in water management research, come to the University of Saskatchewan! Usask is in the university’s top world on this topic and it is the best in Canada. Secondly, do not be afraid of wintertime. It’s true! It is challenging, but the right clothes and nicely friends make your life comfy. Thirdly, enhance your discipline. Before your landing in Canada, it will be great for you if you start creating good habits (time management, workout, cooking, hobbies, and so on). A good discipline will keep you focused on your goals and enjoying the adventure.

Luis Carlos Luque-Moreno, PhD en Ingeniería Química y Bioquímica en la Universidad Western. “Decidí hacer mis estudios doctorales en Western University, debido a que encontré un apoyo sin precedentes para estudiantes internacionales, y porque el departamento tiene áreas de investigación directamente enfocadas en mi campo. Lo que más disfruto de Canadá son sus paisajes y en especial el invierno. En cuanto a London, es una ciudad que cuenta con muchos de los servicios de una gran urbe, pero con distancias mucho más cortas. El ambiente del campus, junto con las personas innovadoras y listas a ayudar me permitieron completar mis estudios en un laboratorio con equipos de última tecnología, y rodeado de grandes investigadores.”

“I chose to come to Western because the university offers an innovative graduate program in Hispanic Studies and the best research opportunities to its students. I love London, Ontario because it is an open and diverse city that reflects the multicultural spirit of Canada.

Western University has given me the opportunity to introduce innovations that impacted my ways of teaching. Furthermore, my graduate program offered the opportunity to develop and transfer new knowledge about Hispanic world. The purpose of my research is to determine how fictional texts stimulate realist reading production between its receptors. Through the analysis of both, fictional works and criticism, this study provides a better understanding of how the circuit of literary communication affects the perception of Hispanic cultures.

I had an opportunity to work as a GTA and GRA. These experience at Western had an influence on my teaching skills and encouraged me to apply new ways of teaching and research strategies. Western provides students with professional development opportunities such as the Advanced Teaching Program offered through Western Teaching Support Centre. This program allowed me to develop the practical skills necessary to teach my own courses.

The University provides a diverse environment and offers the possibility of the encounter of many cultures from all over the world to construct knowledge. I encourage other international students to live experiences in the environment of Western’s campus that offers a research innovation and excellence in many of its academic fields.
I feel proud to belong to Western graduate community, because our community have an impact on international academic circles.”