The University of Guelph’s Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) has proudly hosted more than 30 veterinary medicine students from Mexico through a long-standing internship program founded by Dr. Ernesto Guzmán. These students, specializing in honey bee health, receive training in beekeeping and pathology while contributing to research projects in Canada.
The program began with four students, Silvia, Fabiola, Nidia, and Luz who are city girls from Mexico City. “They walked through the woods to get here every morning, covered in mosquito bites,” recalls Paul Kelly. “They worked hard and helped brighten our bee yard by painting hive boxes in fun, bright colours, a tradition that continues today.”
Interns work closely with HBRC graduate students, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Upon returning to Mexico, each student completes a thesis based on their work in Guelph, a key requirement for graduation. “Honey bee health issues are global,” says Kelly. “Sharing experiences with students from different climates and environments broadens our understanding and ensures our research has international relevance.”
Over the past 22 years, HBRC has welcomed 31 Mexican students, and 14 additional interns from around the world including Turkey, Cuba, Grenada, France, Chile, Iran, the Czech Republic, and the UK. This is in addition to numerous summer students from the University of Guelph and other Ontario institutions. Even though Dr. Guzmán approaches retirement, the HBRC remains committed to sustaining this meaningful exchange and the international friendships that have shaped it over the years.
