Meet your fellow classmate,
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

Meet your fellow classmate,
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

Meet your fellow classmate,
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

Meet your fellow classmate,
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