A political science student from India has recently completed a UWindsor research internship exploring the role of religion and politics on a global scale, thanks to a program that gives international students summer research opportunities in Canada.
Yashasvini Rajeswar was in Canada as part of a Globalink Internship offered by Mitacs, a not-for-profit research organization that manages and funds research and training programs in partnership with companies, the government, and academia.
Under the direction of expert mentor, political science professor Roy Amore, Rajeswar’s project, The Interface between Religion and Politics, focused on Hindu nationalism in India, though the project's global scope allowed her to learn about the political climate in countries around the world.
"It has been very interesting to study themes pertaining largely to India based so far from home," says Rajeswar. “The distance definitely helps the perspective and seeing India through a non-Indian academic lens has been a very interesting experience."
She says the internship has also provided her with the richest academic experience of her education and has helped cement her desire to pursue a PhD in the future because her project has strengthened her belief that more study needs to be done on the subject.
Dr. Amore says Rajeswar has proven to be a hardworking, skilled researcher with helpful contacts back in India.
"I am confident that someday I will read articles and books written by her," he says.
Amore encourages other faculty members to apply to mentor Mitacs research interns, saying it is a win-win situation for both the intern and the researcher.
Read Rajeswar's story on Mitacs' website.