Sixty Grade 10 and Grade 11 students from across the country are learning what it’s like to be a student at the University of Guelph.

The students are part of the Shad Canada program, a four-week STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) summer program.

“I absolutely have adored it,” Christopher Nguyen, a student entering Grade 11 at Milliken Mills High School in Markham said. “I love it. Every aspect is something new and fun. Specifically, I love how you get a university level of teaching, since they get professors from actual [University of Guelph]. So, you really get that full experience.”

During the month-long program, students stay in residence and learn like a university student.

“So, it’s STEM, plus the arts and entrepreneurship learning environment,” Purvi Patel, Program Director for Shad Canada at the University of Guelph, said. “They get exposure to all the different lectures and workshops and it’s a mini university experience for them. They’re living on campus. They’re here for four consecutive weeks, they’re on a dining plan.”

Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo are already part of the program, but this is the first time the University of Guelph has joined in. It gives Guelph the chance to show students its diverse programming, like the Ontario Veterinary College and the Bachelor of One Health Program.