Transitioning between cultures, educational expectations, and even changes in the weather is redefining the college experience for two students participating in the prestigious Killam Fellowships Program this academic year at Florida Polytechnic University.
Administered by Fulbright Canada, the program provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students in Canada and the United States to spend time as exchange students in the other country. The resultant academic and professional growth among participants is intended to benefit their home communities’ economic and professional edge.
Joseph Noble, a junior majoring in computer engineering at Florida Poly, spent the fall semester studying at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Gurjas Chalana, a fourth-year computer science student at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, arrived at Florida Poly in early January to begin his semester here.
“I did well, but it took some getting used to at first,” said Noble, who is from Tallahassee, Florida. “Some of the classes were in auditoriums with 500 people. It wasn’t so bad, but it’s nice to have the more personal connection of just being able to email or talk to your professors like you can here at Florida Poly.”
While at McGill, which often is called the “Harvard of Canada,” Noble joined the Youth Engagement through Engineering Program, volunteering to teach elementary-aged children about computer programming basics.
“Talking about something you know is fun, especially to someone who wants to be there and is willing to learn,” he said. “It was a valuable experience for me.”
Just as Noble returned to Florida Poly to resume his studies, Chalana arrived on campus from Carleton University for his own Killam semester.
“I always wanted a career in the United States and thought this was a great opportunity to build a history and network in the States under a prestigious fellowship,” said Chalana, who expects to complete his degree by the end of 2026. “I am excited about doing research, and the atmosphere here is entirely different.”
In addition to a dramatic contrast in weather and scenery, he was referring to the differences found Florida Poly’s small campus and classes, which he said offer an unexpected benefit.
“I go to a university with 30,000 to 40,000 people, and my computer science department is bigger than the whole campus here, but here I have access to so much,” said Chalana, who is originally from India. “It motivates you to show up and give it your best because, at a bigger school, you and your work can go unnoticed. Here, you can make an impact.”
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