Student Spotlight: Dharma Raj Dhakal
Dharma Raj Dhakal
Program
Second-year, PhD candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Environmental Focus)
Home Country
Nepal
Involvement with Western International
International Student and Western International Volunteer
Why I chose Western
I wanted to understand how education systems in developed countries differ from those back home. Western gave me the opportunity to pursue geophysics within environmental engineering, while also experiencing a broader, more collaborative academic culture.
My research focus
I study landfills and their environmental impacts using geophysical methods. My work focuses on detecting contamination in groundwater and soil, as well as greenhouse gas emissions like methane from landfill sites, in order to help engineer safer waste management systems. My passion for environmental issues started in childhood. In my village in Nepal, I joined a children’s “Green Club” where we collected plastics for recycling and campaigned against unregulated brick factories. Later, the 2015 earthquake in Nepal shifted my studies toward geophysics. Over time, I combined my love for environmental protection with my background in physics and geophysics, leading me to this PhD opportunity at Western.
Highlights of my Western Experience
I’ve attended many events such as the English Conversation Program, potlucks, Global Café, and tax workshops. These activities have helped me connect with the international student community. I also volunteered with the London Environmental Network, and I am a member of the RESTORE Lab at Western. The ability to take courses outside of my department has also been a highlight. For example, I’ve taken a GIS course from Social Science and a field course in Science, even though I’m in Engineering. This interdisciplinary approach wasn’t possible in Nepal or India, and it’s been a great learning experience.
My goals for the future
I hope to continue in education and research, either as a professor or postdoctoral researcher, or possibly working with NGOs in environmental advocacy and technology. Where I go will depend on opportunities, but I see myself as a global citizen open to working anywhere in the world.
My advice for new students
Don’t isolate yourself. Attend public events, explore student programs, and meet people—whether Canadian or international. Building friendships will ease homesickness and stress, and you’ll create lifelong memories.
Fun facts about me
I’m an introvert—I don’t usually start conversations with new people. But once someone approaches me, I open up and often become good friends. I also generate very little waste on a daily basis and I appeal to Western students to use the 3R approach, (i.e., reduce, reuse, and recycle), so that the waste load in landfills and the environment will be less.
