Learning by Doing: International Students Cultivate Sustainability and Community
Sustainability is one of the core values at RRC Polytech, influencing the way students and staff approach learning, living, and leadership.
On June 25, 2025, close to 75 students from the Intensive English for International Students (IEIS) – Global Access program came together at the Notre Dame Campus for a unique mid-term event focused on land-based sustainability and service learning.
This collaborative initiative between the Global Access program, Sustainability Office, School of Indigenous Education, Landscaping and Grounds team, and RRC Polytech Students’ Association, provided IEIS students the opportunity to take action on RRC Polytech’s sustainability goals while practicing their English language skills in a real-world setting.
Beyond conversations and classroom learning, students used their skills to follow instructions, collaborate in teams, and reflect on their learning. This was the first time this event took place and has the potential to grow into an annual learning experience.
The event supported key objectives from RRC Polytech’s Sustainability Strategy, including fostering cross-departmental collaboration, expanding land-based learning, and enhancing sustainability education beyond the classroom.
Throughout the day, students participated in five engaging activities:
- Invasive Plant Identification and Removal: Students learned to identify and remove invasive species like Canada Thistle, helping protect native plant life on campus.
- Medicine Wheel Teaching: Guided by Elder Paul Guimond and Grandmother Janice Millar, students explored Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural teachings while caring for the land.
- Campus Clean-Up: Equipped with gloves and garbage pickers, students worked in teams to clean up the campus and surrounding community, reinforcing environmental responsibility.
- BioBlitz: Using the iNaturalist app, students documented local biodiversity, contributing to citizen science and deepening their connection to nature.
- Food Bank Clean-Up: Students organized and cleaned the campus Food Bank trailer, preparing it for the upcoming term and supporting food security efforts.
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