"I went to a high-school that was modelled on the British system, so there was lots of ivy and old stone and that kind of thing. I wanted something more modern, new and forward looking," says Dattoobhai. "A lot of my friends from Bombay were going to universities in the States like NYU. I'm a little different, so I wanted to do something different again and be away from the people I grew up with. I thought it would help me grow personally."

The third-year international student canvassed a number of US universities and visited York as well. He was offered scholarships to several of them but says it was York that ultimately caught his fancy. "I liked York's welcoming attitude toward international students. Its curriculum was multicultural and interdisciplinary. I don't think international students are as welcomed in the US. It's harder to share your culture there." Dattoobhai, who's studying communications and economics, says, however, he'll likely head to the US to do his graduate work, probably an MBA.

Dattoobhai says York made him feel more than welcome (he has lived on campus for three years in Bethune College). "Rez life is great. I've made a lot of friends. I'm glad I'm getting a different type of educational experience from my friends. The quality of Canadian education isn't well known abroad. So I promote it at home whenever I can."

FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT EBONI DAVID ARRIVED FROM OTTAWA ON YORK'S campus in first-year not knowing what to expect but found her home away from home - Stong College - soon became family.

"Residence life was such a great experience," says David, who now shares an apartment with a housemate on campus. "When I got here from Ottawa I was so sad and lonely and I remember the very first day people from my floor came and pounded on my door to get me to come down to Orientation activities. Within a week they were my best friends."

David, who is doing her major in kinesiology and a minor in psychology, hopes to pursue a BSc in nutrition after her BA at York. She has nothing but praise for York's "kin" program. "York has one of the largest programs. And I think the best thing about it is it's practical. I looked into similar programs at other universities and they didn't have the labs and practicums that York did."

When not busy with school and varsity rugby, David somehow manages to find time to hold down a part-time job 10 to 15 hours a week at York's Admissions and Liaison Office and volunteer at the Scott Mission in downtown Toronto. "I think I got my volunteer ethic from my mom. She was always into community service."

And what about her York experience overall? says David. "I'm glad I came. I've learned a lot about life from people here - residence dons, fellow students, my roommate, professors. Maybe the most important thing I've found is that I realize that I enjoy my own company too. My four years here have been really excellent! "