Vaidehi Gupta Receives 2022 Warren Gill Award

Learn more about Vaidehi in the Q & A below:

1.    Tell us a little bit about yourself.  Where did you go to high school/college?  What program are you in at SFU and what led to your interest in this program?

I graduated from Queen Elizabeth Secondary in 2019 and grew up in Surrey. I am a third-year Geography major at SFU also pursuing an Urban Studies certificate. My interest in geography sparked from wanting to know more about environmental issues and social inequities facing our world today. SFU has a range of geography courses to offer that cover concept of place and space; this has led me to find multiple courses that fostered my curiosity.

2.    Are you involved in any extra-curricular and/or volunteer activities and how do these contribute to your experience as a student?

Recently, I have gotten more involved with extra-curricular activities on campus. I have been volunteering with SFU TD Community Engagement Centre on their Book Buddies and Racing Readers programs. This has led me to gain more leadership and mentorship experience and given me the opportunity to engage with other SFU students. I also have recently started volunteering with a non-profit organization called Women Transforming Cities which focuses on impacting cities on a local civic system. Off-campus, I have had the opportunity to volunteer with other non-profits such as SPARK foundation which empowers the next generation of K-12, through life education programs. These activities have made me feel more connected to my studies and enabled me to make changes in my local community.

3.   What have you enjoyed most about your SFU experience so far?

SFU has given me the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects in which my love for urbanism and planning has developed. I have loved taking courses that focus on cities and their built environment, which has helped me grasp many urban issues that are facing our cities. Through my Geography and Planning courses, I have been exposed to a range of different perspectives on urban development. This has led me to pursue the certificate in Urban Studies that the Department of Geography offers.

4.    What have you found most challenging about the transition to university studies and how have you worked to overcome this?

When I first entered university, I was very overwhelmed by the workload that was presented in my first term. I quickly learned that my academic success was dependent on self-determination and hard work. My post-secondary education has made me realize that I needed to manage my time properly and balance my workload accordingly. Many assignments, deadlines, and exams pile up and so making a schedule for myself has been a key factor in overcoming the transition to university. That being said, I have also recognized the importance of taking breaks and making time for myself to mentally recharge in order to perform well academically. Finding the right balance that works has been crucial for my time at university.

5.  What have you learned and/or what skills/knowledge have you developed through your program at SFU?  

My degree in geography has led me to learn about a variety of topics – urbanism, cities, sustainability, social justice, GIS, and so much more! I have also been able to develop a deeper knowledge of these topics and critically analyze them throughout my courses. I have also found that geography is quite an interdisciplinary subject with human and physical elements that intertwine to cover a breadth of concepts. While critically thinking about these topics, I have also developed writing skills to put my thoughts into conversation with texts, films, and concepts covered in class.

In addition, SFU has also helped me recognize the importance of getting involved on campus and in my community. This has helped me become more aware of the issues facing my community on a local scale and has helped me apply my learning inside my classes to the “real world.”

6.  What advice do you have for future students in this program?

Though 4 years at university might seem like a long time, it goes by fast! My advice would be to take risks and get involved to figure out what you’re passionate about. SFU is such a large and diverse space and there are so many opportunities to connect with people, places, and organizations to make the most of your university experience.