Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1214508
ALUMNI PROFILES FROM THE CLASS OF 2015 22 Garima Karia '15 French Civil Law, built on the foundation of Roman Law and Napoleon's Civil Code, is a system based on written, codified laws, whereas English Common Law is based on custom, usage and precedence. Where these two uniquely different styles of law converge is where you will find Garima Karia. Garima's parents, originally from India, wanted their daughter to have a high-quality French immersion education, as they believed it would offer her more opportunity as she grew older. Entering TFS at Grade 4 as an Intro student, her teachers almost immediately sparked a passion in the young girl. Garima still fondly remembers her Grade 5 teacher, Ms. Kirsten Makinson, who "introduced [her] to social justice issues for the first time," a passion that continues to mark Garima's journey to this day. As she progressed through the grades, Garima increasingly became involved in many school activities, such as Model UN and debating. Garima attended McGill University for arts and science upon her graduation from TFS in 2015, eventually switching to arts with Wrien by: Sean H., Level V student a major in political science and history. In addition, she broadened the scope of her studies by pursuing several other subjects, such as economics, gender studies and policy making, a decision she credits to the focus on interdisciplinary studies fostered by the IB Diploma Program. Described as a "communicator extraordinaire" in the 2015 Grad Booklet, Garima has lived up to the characterization, continuing her advocacy work in many areas, including as the representative for Eglinton-Lawrence in the 2017 Daughters of the Vote conference. In her speech, she advocated for increased accessibility to French immersion for families with low incomes and other barriers, recognizing the vast opportunities a high-quality French immersion education can provide. Carrying on the bilingual spirit fostered at TFS, she is currently pursuing a bilingual law degree at McGill's Faculty of Law, where she will earn both her Common Law and Civil Law designations, hoping in the future to practise international trade law in an organization like the WTO. We are all excited to see what the next years will bring this bright and hopeful alumna. ENTRE NOUS