White Oaks SS IB Alum wins bronze medal at International Geography Olympiad
Photo source: iGeo Bangkok 2025
Two White Oaks SS alumni, Raashid Azeem Ahamed and Aarush Behal recently took to the global stage as members of Team Canada for the 21st International Geography Olympiad (iGEO 2025) in Bangkok, Thailand. Competing against 179 students from 47 countries, the team delivered an outstanding performance, with Raashid securing a bronze medal.
The iGEO is the world’s premier geography competition for students aged 16 to 19. Participants face three demanding challenges: a written test, a multimedia test and an extensive fieldwork exercise.
For Raashid, the journey to the international stage began in the classrooms of White Oaks SS. He credits the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program and his teachers for providing the foundation necessary to compete at this level.
“I've always been interested in geography, but wasn't really aware of the existence of competitions like iGEO until my IB geography teacher introduced us to it,” Raashid said. “Academically, the fact that I was able to enroll in the IB program and study Geography within it at WOSS gave me thorough preparation for dealing with challenging and advanced material.”
The shared experience of two HDSB students making the national team also provided crucial support during the competition.
“One of my classmates, Aarush, also tried out and made the team, so having him as a peer encouraged me to go beyond my comfort zone,” Raashid said.
The event, hosted by Chulalongkorn University in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, offered the students an opportunity for cultural exchange beyond the academic testing.
“The care and hospitality of the hosts in Thailand was exceptional, as the event was overseen by the princess of Thailand,” Raashid said. “This environment allowed competitors from around the world to come together and realize we had more in common than we thought.”
Team Canada’s participation was supported by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). Earning a medal amidst such fierce global competition was a defining moment for Raashid.
“Academically, it felt rewarding to see months of preparation with my coaches and teammates come to fruition,” Raashid said. “On a personal level, while I think international competition fosters unity, I also believe it highlights what makes each of us unique. Representing Canada was incredibly humbling and made me realize our privileged position in the world. Earning the bronze medal evoked a sense of patriotism and belonging in something bigger than myself.”
