We conduct all our Peeps Squeak interviews outdoors. Due to extremely cold temperatures (notice we didn’t annoy you by mentioning the “polar vortex”), it’s taken us a little longer than anticipated to brave the outdoors to interview more peeps. Instead of checking in with peeps on their new year’s resolutions, we thought it would be more interesting to learn about peeps’ passions. What better place to do that than on the student campus at the University of Waterloo?
This Week’s Peeps Squeak location: University of Waterloo Campus
First year computer science student, Chaitanya, is thrilled to be a member of the Mars society. He is part of a robotics team that is developing a robot that will collect samples of soil on Mars to test for life forms. The first test runs on earth will be conducted in Waterloo in May before the robot is sent to a lab in New York for further testing.
Chaitanya, 19
Stanley’s dream is to be at the forefront of piloting a 60 GHz wireless communications system. The 23-year-old electrical engineering undergrad is currently placed with Blackberry but it’s his wireless communications research with the university that he believes will enable him to fulfil his dream. Current LTE technology is at 2.4 GHz, but Stanley is optimistic reaching 60 GHz is more than just a dream for him. Once reached, Stanley says networking capabilities will have “infinite possibilities.”
Stanley, 23
It’s not at all surprising to find tech enthusiasts at the university, the epitome of our technology triangle. We also found students whose passions are driven by music. Although Tariq is a fourth year political science major, he divulged that if money wasn’t a barrier, he would be a full-time travelling musician. Formerly part of the band Gusknuckle, a band name Tariq wasn’t particularly fond of, the acoustic and electric guitar player says he could spend hours listening to music and composing his own.
Tariq, 23
First year engineering student Gagan, played the trumpet in high school, but listening to hiphop and rap music are what keep the first year engineering student motivated. Right now, he’s just concentrating on making it through the mid-terms.
Gagan, first year engineering student
Xinran decided to leave China to attend the University of Waterloo because she thought it was the best for her field of study, computer science. Once she finishes university, the first year student plans to travel. Italy and Germany tops her list of destinations.
Xinran, 19
We plan to continue this conversation with peeps in uptown Waterloo. In the meantime, let us know what you are passionate about.
Peeps Squeak 