University of Waterloo Speciality : Chemical Engineering
programme: Chemical Engineering

As a graduate student, I’ve realized that your experience here depends largely on how proactive you are. The university provides strong academic resources, research facilities, and a rigorous learning environment, but it does not “hold your hand.” You need to take initiative, whether that means reaching out to professors, managing your workload, or building your own network.

The academic expectations are high, and the pace can be intense. At times, it feels isolating, especially for graduate students whose experience is heavily shaped by their research group and supervisor. However, this environment also pushes you to become more independent and resilient.

This university is not necessarily comfortable, but it is a solid platform. If you have clear goals and are self-driven, you can gain a lot from it. I would recommend it to students who are prepared to take responsibility for their own growth and make full use of the opportunities available.