"I was privileged to captain the team and it was a really proud moment, representing my country.”
Name: Patrick Brandon Kwo
One of Patrick Brandon Kwo’s proudest moments – aside from winning a President’s International Scholarship of Excellence to York University – came when he captained the Mauritius national U20 soccer team in an international competition in Eswatini.
“I was privileged to captain the team and it was a really proud moment, representing my country,” Kwo says. “I got emotional singing the national anthem before the game. Overall, it was a great experience. You can see the level of competition out there and it motivates you.”
Kwo is studying finance and business economics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at York, but soccer is his lifelong passion. and he currently plays intramural soccer twice a week and works out in the gym to stay in shape.
“I’m hoping to join our varsity team,” he says. “I missed the tryouts this year because I wasn’t here in Canada yet, but I hope to try out next year. The team has a good reputation, so it will be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Kwo has discovered that sport is essential to maintaining balance in his life and isn’t worried that it will interfere with his studies.
“I balanced sport and studies all through high school,” he says. “It’s the balance I need and it’s beneficial for me to keep playing. My classes are manageable.”
Keeping his grades up is a requirement of the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence, which is awarded to incoming high school students who demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leadership skills. Kwo wanted to study in another country so he could have more independence. He has family in Canada and chose to come to York because there were opportunities for scholarships to defray the cost of university.
“I found out in April that I was awarded the scholarship,” Kwo says. “I was doing an internship and I received the email in the morning before I went to work. At first, I didn’t know how to react. I wanted to make sure it was real before I told my parents. I showed it to my mom and she was so happy; I was, too. I am very grateful to York U for this scholarship; it’s an amazing opportunity.”
Now that he’s here in Toronto, he’s settling into life in residence and on campus. He has made friends, including another winner of the scholarship; the two of them often study together.
“I like the campus; it’s nice and big,” he says. “I like the diversity of people from all over the world. I’ve even met a few other Mauritians.”
"Canadian culture is much more welcoming and inclusive than I’m used to.”
Name: Arsh Dharani
Arsh, who is studying financial and business economics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), wasn’t sure it would be possible for him to attain a full scholarship, because there was no response from York about the scholarship decisions until the very last, and his family kept encouraging him to make a decision quickly.
“I think I was destined to be at York,” says Arsh Dharani, who calls himself a “true international” student, since he was born in India, grew up in the Congo and went to boarding school in Kenya before coming to Toronto.
“I had always been interested in coming to Canada, since I have a lot of family and friends here. The York scholarship opportunities were really attractive because I wanted to be independent looking forward. I didn’t want to put myself into debt or financial pressure as I was starting my career.”
Arsh, who is studying financial and business economics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), wasn’t sure it would be possible for him to attain a full scholarship, because there was no response from York about the scholarship decisions until the very last, and his family kept encouraging him to make a decision quickly
“I remember asking my dad to let me wait just one more day and the email from York [awarding him a full scholarship] came at 3 a.m.,” Arsh says. “Life works in mysterious ways.”
Arsh was awarded a President’s International Scholarship of Excellence, given to international high school students who demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities and leadership skills. At his boarding school in Kenya, Dharani was a residential captain, in charge of 50 international students, addressing any issues they had and organizing activities to keep them engaged.
It’s a skill he hopes to hone at York where he joined the volunteer team at his residence, working with the residence dons. He plans to apply for a don’s position next year. He has also joined the Schulich Finance Club, another step along his path to becoming an entrepreneur one day.
“My big dream is to have my own firm and add value to people’s lives,” Dharani says. “When I’m older, I want to be able to lead huge companies. I want to start with investment banking, then look forward to having my own firm. I’m leaning toward specializing in finance, because understanding it is very important if you’re running your own business.”
Arsh has already been an entrepreneur on a small scale. A passionate chess player, he created a chess academy in the Congo to teach chess, both online and in-person, and eventually ran a tournament for participants.
“I love the game,” Arsh says. “It bleeds into real life a lot. As a chess player, you’re always making decisions fairly quickly and you can’t go back; you need to face the consequences. I always ensure to look at the board and attempt to make the best possible decisions in life.”
He plans to find a chess club at York, or, if necessary, start one. He’s certainly pleased to be here in Toronto.
“Canadian culture is much more welcoming and inclusive than I’m used to,” Arsh says. “People are very polite, even about small things like holding the door open, and there are a lot of ‘Thank-yous’ and ‘Sorries.’ It’s a beautiful campus, too.”
For now, Arsh’s goal is to keep his head down and work. He says would like to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity he has gotten and his focusing on increasing his network and connections with likeminded people. He remains grateful to the university, his parents, and his friends who have supported him throughout this journey.
"My dream is to make Mongolia a better country and York is focused on sustainability, so it was a good fit for me.”
Name: Bolormaa Khurelbataar
Most students from Mongolia looking to study outside the country choose Korea, Japan or the United States as their post-secondary targets, but Bolormaa Khurelbataar sought a different experience. “I dreamed of living in a happy country and I heard that both Canada and Australia were clean and happy, so I decided I’d focus on one of those two,” she said.
Bolormaa knew that she’d need a full scholarship to attend university abroad and began doing some research. She discovered that York had scholarships that would meet her needs, so she applied for the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence, a $45,000 award that is given to international students who demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leadership skills.
“My dream is to make Mongolia a better country and York is focused on sustainability, so it was a good fit for me,” said Bolormaa. “We are a classic developing country, and the world is developing so fast that we need to speed up our growth in a sustainable way.
“Starting from 9th grade, I competed in various type project proposal competitions leading my fellow classmates, including innovative ideas for improving traditional food, for better internet distribution in Mongolian rural areas, and an application that helps to develop better food plan for each individual. While I was researching these proposals, I learned about how important the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are, and that’s something for which York University is known.”
On the day she submitted her application to York, she had a technical problem with her computer, but she remained confident.
“I had a gut feeling that if I could fix the problem, I would get a scholarship.” Every day, she checked her email, hoping.
“No one in my family had been awarded a full scholarship to study in a big city,” Bolormaa said.
Given the time difference, Bolormaa received her acceptance email at 3 a.m.
“I started yelling to everyone to wake up, because I had big news.”
It was big news, indeed, for someone who had never left Mongolia previously to make the journey to Canada to study. It has been a bit of a culture shock.
“My whole life, I’ve lived in one place and was so confident, because I knew everything and everywhere,” Bolormaa said. “Here, I’m starting from zero. I was sitting on the bus and went too far because I didn’t know how to request a stop; I had to watch someone else do it. And, I’d never seen a subway before, but I now know where all the buildings are on campus and I’m having fun exploring.”
The diversity at York has also been an eye-opener.
“In Mongolia, there are only Mongolians, but it’s so diverse here that I was shocked. There are so many types of people in the world.”
Bolormaa is studying in the Bachelor of Commerce program at the School of Administrative Studies and is eager to immerse herself in university life. She has joined the Sustainability Club and hopes to elected as a first-year representative in her affiliate college, New College.
“I think I will go back to Mongolia, but, first, I want to explore how life works in developed countries,” Bolormaa said. “People here are so nice.”
"My grassroots work for communities in the Philippines has led me here… I hope to reach out to institutions at York like the Young Lives Research Lab and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research to see if they can offer help.”
Name: Qjiel Mariano
Qjiel Mariano is living proof that approaching endeavours with passion and commitment can lead to unexpected opportunities, such as a Tentanda Via Award scholarship to York University, thousands of miles from home.
Tentanda Via – the way must be tried – Awards reward student leaders/changemakers who are pushing boundaries by demonstrating commitment to progressive and sustainable development initiatives by making a difference, and Mariano certainly fits the description.
As a high school student in Manila, the Philippines, what began as a school project turned into a passion for improving the lives of impoverished urban dwellers. He volunteered at Manila North Cemetery, a spot where more than 10,000 families have created makeshift homes in the mausoleums with no electricity or running water. He assisted the children living there with their reading and writing, because many of them were having difficulties in school.
The project ended, but Mariano’s involvement did not; he returned frequently to lend a hand and he began advocating with politicians and diplomats to bring more attention to the community living in the cemetery's plight. Armed with the knowledge on improving literacy rates through publishing a storybook, he and his peers worked on Ladders to Literacy, collaborating with the cemetery’s children to create a storybook that measured literacy while teaching them about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This creative effort earned the group the prestigious 2021 ESD [Education for Sustainable Development] Okayama Award, a coup for students competing against projects created by municipalities and researchers.
Mariano, by then a university student, was among those who presented the project to the ESD Forum and it was there that he first learned about York University. Okayama University works with York International in supporting York’s Go Global SDGs in Action Challenge, an annual program to empower York students and their peers around the world to take action towards the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a global lens and York International staff took part in the forum.
Intrigued by York’s involvement with the U.N. SDGs, Mariano researched the university and decided to transfer here to take advantage of its undergraduate program in global health in the Faculty of Health. Having worked with an impoverished community, he realized that there are many factors involved with poverty and wanted a wider perspective.
“I wanted to focus on a profession that solves the challenges of the world and global health offers more opportunities for a broader impact,” Mariano said. “I want to be a doctor and I am impressed by the medical schools in Canada where they add a layer of training in social equity and humanitarian aid that you don’t get elsewhere. In my undergraduate program I will get an understanding of health policies and they should be a good steppingstone to medical school.”
“I also have seen that York produces amazing Filipino graduates like Dr. Eileen De Villa, the medical officer of health for the City of Toronto, and Rowena Santos, the Brampton city councillor.”
“As Dr. De Villa told me, “To whom much is given, much is expected,’ and I see this as an opportunity to share my resources.”
Mariano is dedicating his scholarship to the residents of the Manila North Cemetery and his family, especially his mother, Dr. Jocelyn Mariano. “My mother would always remind me to do everything out of love -- and her work as an obstetrician in the Philippines made me witness the inequities to health access women receive, especially those living in remote communities.”
“My grassroots work for communities in the Philippines has led me here,” he said. “It moved me, and I hope to reach out to institutions at York like the Young Lives Research Lab and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research to see if they can offer help.”
Today, his work involves creating the next generation of youth leaders who live inside the Manila North Cemetery through the Street Smarts Fellowship. Together with involved stakeholders, they chose five youth to be mentored on ways to address the issues in their community.
“What I have learned so far in the Global Health Program is that we should be enablers and that the people living in these conditions understand what they need better than we do – which is why I created this initiative that I hope to incubate at York.”
"[Canada] is also a multicultural, diverse society and York University, in particular, has a diverse environment. I thought it would give me a broader perspective…"
Name: Chenyang Yue
With his medical degree from China in hand, Chenyang Yue immigrated to Canada and returned to university to prepare himself for a career in the Canadian health-care sector. He has recently earned an honours BSc in biology from York and is looking at professional school options, such as medicine or dentistry.
“I’m applying to medical school with dentistry as my backup,” Yue says. “I want to work in the health-care sector and I’m open to various pathways.”
Canada was Yue’s country of choice for pursuing his education because of Norman Bethune, a Canadian surgeon who worked there in the 1930s, treating soldiers and civilians during the Sino-Japanese War. His efforts drew praise from leader Mao Zedong in the form of an essay that immortalized the doctor after his death in 1939.
“I grew up knowing Dr. Norman Bethune as a hero, which is why as a doctor, I felt a deep calling to come to Canada, the place where his remarkable legacy was forged,” Yue said. “It is also a multicultural, diverse society and York University, in particular, has a diverse environment. I thought it would give me a broader perspective, and I wanted to be part of an institution that honoured Bethune’s legacy as a member of Bethune College.”
Yue’s major medical interest is in oncology and he has had the opportunity to do cancer research in Dr. Chun Peng’s lab at York, publishing papers with her team and his research group in China.
Once he arrived at York, Yue lived with family friends in Mississauga, making for a long commute and little opportunity to meet fellow students, especially once the pandemic lockdown began. He found that getting involved at York made all the difference. He obtained a work-study job with York International and assisted the team that organizes and supports student exchange programs. Being bilingual was a real benefit, because Yue was able to speak to international students from China in their native tongue.
“I wanted to use my experience to help other students and a second language helps,” Yue said. “I helped international students solve problems and told them about resources available at York. I also assisted with administration, promotion and social media.”
Yue also joined campus organizations. He was a science student ambassador for the Faculty of Science, doing community outreach to high school students and their parents. As a peer mentor, he helped first-year students deal with academic and non-academic issues, and as one of the Global Leaders for the Faculty of Science, he helped the faculty to internationalize its programs and met with delegates from partner institutions. Off campus, Yue volunteered at nearby Humber River Hospital.
This summer, Yue's commitment to making a meaningful impact in healthcare continues as he remains an active volunteer at the hospital, which further solidifies his passion for serving the community and making a positive difference in people’s lives.
“If I can give back to the community and help people, that is my goal,” Yue said.
"[The Global Health Program] also expanded my view of health as I learned about the social determinants of health and how factors like system infrastructure, housing and the economy all have an impact."
Name: Essete Makonnen Tesfaye
As a high school student, Essete Makonnen Tesfaye realized that she was more interested in improving health-care systems than diagnosing individual patient illnesses but she didn’t know how to pursue that goal. Thanks to York University’s global health program, she discovered that a pathway existed.
“I heard about global health at York from recruiters who came to my high school and realized it was exactly what I wanted,” said Tesfaye, who was born in Ethiopia but grew up in Kenya and Uganda. “I didn’t even know it existed.”
Her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine, so Tesfaye applied to standard pre-med programs, as well as to York’s Global Health program. When she received both her York acceptance and a scholarship, she told her parents about her choice and came to Toronto for university.
“The program was exactly what I hoped and it changed my view of the world,” she said. “It also expanded my view of health as I learned about the social determinants of health and how factors like system infrastructure, housing and the economy all have an impact.”
While at York, Tesfaye also began working in residences, first at the front desk and later as a don. She loved her experiences there and discovered that her health studies were also applicable to mental health, which interested her. She also realized the importance of community and was drawn to community building. During her first year, for example, she was very involved with Multicultural Week, an event that brought diverse students together to showcase their cultures’ food, fashion, dance and sports.
“It was so wonderful to be engaged in that and learn about lots of different cultures and ways of being and living,” she said.
She also started volunteering off campus in an organization working to provide culturally specific mental health programming.
When the pandemic lockdown hit, Tesfaye was living and working in residence and being part of a community made the challenges easier.
“I was really grateful to be here during that shift,” Tesfaye said. “Leaders and professors took that time to think about the types of leaders/teachers they wanted to be and I saw a shift to more empathy, collaboration and kindness. It inspired me to be a leader, seeing that you can be a kind leader without compromising the quality of your leadership.”
Tesfaye also explored the research aspect of health at the urging of one of her mentors, assistant professor Oghenowede Eyawo, who urged her to get involved in research and learn more about global health outside the classroom. As a specialist in Global eHealth, she began working with Professor Lora Appel to see how virtual reality tools could help patients with dementia, stroke or acquired brain injury complete tasks of everyday living more easily.
“Dr. Eyawo and Dr. Appel both believed in me, helped my confidence, and gave me opportunities to learn and grow both in and out of the classroom. I would not have been able to make it without them!” she said. “I am also very thankful for my family’s support.”
Now that she has graduated, Tesfaye will be working as a residence life co-ordinator at York.
“I’m excited to be working in residence life and continuing to be at York,” she said. “This role gives me a chance to explore further what my passions are by taking a step back. I’ve been excited to see how community building ties in with health promotion. Whatever I decide to pursue afterward will be centred around community building and global health.”
"York was one of my top choices. Since coming here, I have fallen in love with the city and the campus and have had lots of opportunities to get involved."
Name: Svati Balaji
When her father accepted a technology job in the United States, Svati Balaji moved with her family from India to California to finish her high school career and looked toward attending university in North America.
“I was looking at schools in the U.S. and Canada,” Balaji said. “York was one of my top choices. Since coming here, I have fallen in love with the city and the campus and have had lots of opportunities to get involved.
“I really came to York not knowing what I wanted and now, I feel prepared for the next number of years.”
For the next few years, certainly, Balaji hopes to be ensconced in a residence/student life position at a Canadian university, something she discovered as an option during her undergraduate career working at a residence office and then as a residence don.
“I like helping students find their way and helping people is a value I grew up with, especially as the oldest sibling,” Balaji said. “It translated to a professional role. Working with students, and especially international students, warms my heart, since I can relate. I like helping smooth their transition to university.”
Ideally, Balaji would like to work for a few years before returning to university for a master’s degree, either in science education, viewing it through an equity, diversity and inclusion lens, or in student affairs.
“It’s yet to be determined,” she said.
Balaji understands the challenges that international students face and is passionate about helping them. Although her family was in California when she began studying at York and later moved to British Columbia, she couldn’t visit them once the pandemic hit and travel was restricted. York International assisted her throughout with any immigration questions that arose, but she largely relied on her friends for comfort.
“My friends were a big support system,” she said. “They are my chosen family after going through four years together. I was also lucky that my best friend is a first-generation Canadian and offered to be my second family. I had an open invitation to dinner and for winter breaks.”
In her science studies, Balaji focused on science education and pedagogy, rather than a career in medicine or a laboratory. She was in the first class permitted to undertake collaborative theses; she and classmate Jacquelina DaSilva were the first pair to pursue a science education question. Using surveys and focus groups, they pinpointed where changes needed to be made in a genetics course to support learning and to counter common but inaccurate genetic essentialist thinking processes. The pair presented their findings at York’s Teaching in Focus conference, Western University’s science education conference and Dalhousie University’s teachers’ conference.
“We came up with our own question, and it was very cool to be invited to present our findings,” Balaji said.
She has also worked as a researcher for Professor Tamara Kelly, the Faculty of Science’s Pedagogical Innovation Chair in Science Education. Recently, she will be working on collaborative research projects with University of Toronto Scarborough educators to determine what a sense of belonging looks like in STEM classes. She has also been involved in collaborations with other universities through the Canadian Consortium of Science Education Scholars.
“I am very grateful to Professor Kelly,” she said. “She helped me put into perspective what I might want to do with my life.”
For three years, Balaji also served as a President’s Ambassador, one of a group of York student leaders who met with York President Rhonda Lenton and other administrators to provide student input on a variety of issues. This past year, Balaji worked in the president’s office as a special project assistant, organizing the President’s Ambassadors program.
“It was an action-packed year,” said Balaji, whose duties also included recruiting volunteers for Congress 2023 on campus. “Working with students blends all of my interest together; my studies and co-curricular activities informed each other and combining both worlds is cool.”
"As a Black international student, I felt that York exhibited real diversity and an authentic sense of belonging"
Name: Issa Abdi Jamaa
York graduate Issa Abdi Jamaa is eager to apply the valuable lessons he has learned about leadership and governance during his time at York University to the professional world.
Jamaa arrived in Canada as a teenager for secondary school before attending university. After exploring various Canadian universities, he selected York University as his choice due to its academic excellence and a vibrant multicultural and diverse community at the Keele campus.
“As a Black international student, I felt that York exhibited real diversity and an authentic sense of belonging,” Jamaa said.
York University offered him the opportunity to study economics, where he excelled, earning an honours BA, graduating summa cum laude. Jamaa was also a member of the Dean’s circle of student scholars at the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS).
Jamaa's talents extended beyond academics; he cultivated a diverse skill set by seeking out challenging campus employment and interesting extracurricular activities. Through these experiences, he honed his research and analytical abilities, developed sound political acuity, demonstrated strong leadership skills and polished his public speaking and relationship-building capabilities. In addition, Jamaa gained valuable knowledge in areas such as finance, event planning and project management.
“I always had a passion for economics, politics, good governance, and being involved in my community,” Jamaa said. “In terms of personal growth and development, I gained a lot, learning more about the public education sector, policies governing the university, leadership and cross-cultural understanding.”
As soon as he landed on campus, Jamaa jumped into governance activities, starting with the Economic Students’ Association. During his first semester at York, he was elected to the student government of Vanier College Council (VCC) as director of finance, then vice-president, academic & external affairs. A year later, he was elected as VCC’s president and orientation chair.
For more than four consecutive academic years, Issa served as a designated student representative on the LA&PS Faculty Council. In that role, he advocated passionately and consistently for students, focusing on the needs of racialized, first-generation and international students.
“Through careful and strategic intervention in collegial discussions in Faculty Council, for example, I challenged the tendency to treat international students as income generators on one hand, and social and cultural challenges on the other, arguing that both positions are problematic,” he said. “In turn, I encouraged faculty, staff and the dean’s offices to recognize the humanity of all students and I worked hard to make visible the unique challenges faced by our diverse student body.”
Dean J.J. McMurtry is appreciative of Jamaa’s contributions.
“At LA&PS, we make every student’s educational experience our priority and encourage students to use their imaginations, explore new ideas and work toward a better future,” he said. “Issa Jamaa ambitiously took advantage of all that our Faculty has to offer, from employment opportunities and extracurriculars to participation on both the Decanal and Chancellor Search Committees, the Vanier College Council and LA&PS Faculty Council. In his tireless dedication to student issues, he challenged everyone he encountered to think differently and reconsider the needs of racialized, first-generation and international students. Jamaa exhibits all the qualities we hope to see in our graduates: passion, perseverance and a commitment to social justice and advocacy. Whatever he chooses to do next, I know he will change the future for the better.”
Jamaa further extended his student advocacy as a volunteer on a number of Faculty committees, including the Committee on Teaching, Learning and Student Success, and the Committee on Curriculum, Curricular Policy and Standards, where he combined his support for students with an interest in inclusive pedagogy.
"It has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Issa over the past year on the Student Representative Roundtable, which is a consultative committee of York student leaders,” said Nona Robinson, vice-provost, students. “Witnessing Issa’s character, dedication, involvement, and student advocacy for positive change have been an inspiration. Issa is an exceptional role model for current and future students of York."
In 2019, Jamaa was elected as a senator for the York University Senate, the University’s highest academic governing body, where he also chaired the Senate’s student caucus. Through the caucus, he supported initiatives that included the University’s Anti-Black Racism Framework. His work in the Faculty Council and Senate opened the door to other opportunities, such as serving as a member of three university Search Committees: dean for the Faculty of LA&PS; vice-provost, students; and chancellor. His efforts came full circle when he had the honour of being one of the speakers at the induction ceremony for York University’s 14th chancellor, Kathleen Taylor, in May 2023.
"Issa was a wonderful contributor to the university community including his membership on the chancellor selection committee. He fully embraced the requirements of the position and passionately supported how this important leadership role must align with the values of York University, which he exhibited so brilliantly in his University leadership roles," said Paul Tsaparis, chair of York University’s Board of Governors. "Through Issa's experiences at York, he honed his research and analytical abilities, By engaging in these encounters, he sharpened his research and analytical skills, cultivated astute political insight, showcased exceptional leadership abilities, and refined his proficiency in public speaking and fostering relationships."
He also participated as a student representative to the advisory committee that created the Division of Students’ most recent five-year strategic plan and was one of President Rhonda Lenton’s Ambassadors for three consecutive years.
“It is exciting to see students building their leadership skills here at York and bringing the commitments of our University Academic Plan to life. Issa has helped students access opportunities to realize their full potential and his work will have a lasting impact as they in turn create positive change in communities around the world,” said Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic.
“Through all of these opportunities, I learned about how the institution worked, with its complex systems and governance structure,” Jamaa said. “I also found things that needed improvement from a student-centric perspective by taking every opportunity I got to voice the concerns of students.”
For example, Jamaa successfully advocated to make work-study positions accessible and equitable to all international, as well as domestic, students, collaborating with university partners such as York International, and senior university officials.
“I believe in being the change I wish to see in the world, so I took action in my advocacy for increasing equity, diversity and inclusion,” he said.
Throughout his undergraduate career, Jamaa held various professional jobs on campus, such as lead ambassador and senior special projects assistant at the Dean’s Office (LA&PS), as well as a special projects assistant at the Office of the University Registrar. Additionally, he assumed the role of a CCTV operator on campus, joining the team in 2018 and earning a promotion to team lead in 2020. Currently, Jamaa continues working with the community safety department’s CCTV team while focusing on his future endeavors.
“I’d like to gain more work experience for a few years before I return to my academic journey in earning either an MBA, or a law degree, or even a combination of both,” Jamaa said.
In recognition of Issa’s leadership, dedication to student advocacy and service to the university community, he earned several university-wide awards, including the eighth Annual Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award, the Robert Everett Exceptional Leadership Award in Student Governance, the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, Faculty of LA&PS (twice), the Marilyn Lambert-Drache Award for Initiative in Governance, and the Alumni Golden GRADitude Award.
“Issa Jamaa exemplifies the core values of York University, showcasing the transformative potential of higher education and the immense impact of actively engaging in various aspects of university life,” said Vinitha Gengatharan, assistant vice-president, global engagement & partnerships. “His relentless commitment to effecting positive change and breaking down barriers, particularly for international students, serves as an inspiration to his peers and the wider community. With his unwavering determination and excellent skills, Issa is poised to make significant contributions in his future endeavors, while leaving a lasting legacy at York University.”
Regardless of his ultimate choice of career, Jamaa is poised to make a strong contribution to his community and society at large.
"I was scared at first, but once I came to Toronto and saw the diversity, I did not feel like a stranger at all."
Name: Rim Mhedhbi
Rim's Mitacs internship brought her to Toronto and YorkU. She loved it here and decided to stay. Now, she is starting her Masters at York, in Information Systems & Technology (MAIST). In this interview, she candidly talks about her experience of coming to Toronto as an international student!
Why did you choose YorkU?
A research organization called Mitacs makes internship opportunities for students to come to Canada’s top universities, and we get a chance to pick amongst multiple projects. The project that I really liked was the project of Professor Marina Erechtchoukova from York. The project talked about how machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques can try to predict floods in Canada. This project really captured my attention and so I applied to the project and got accepted! That's how I came to York for the first time!
But I had such a good experience at York, everyone was so helpful and friendly that I decided to come back for my Master's degree, which will be starting in September!
What did you like the most about York?
Actually some of my best experiences in Canada happened because of York. The research facilities are great. Whenever you need info or want to do research, everything will be available to you. You will never run out of resources here. Everyone will help you. I went to the writing center, I spent all my days in the library and that helped me a lot. The professors were really good too. They were willing to help me and guide me.
As an international student, how was your experience coming to Toronto?
My experience was really life-changing. Both academically and socially. Academically I got the chance to know various different techniques about machine learning, I got a chance to do a lot of experiments. Everything that I had a chance to hear about before, I was able to apply it in real life now.
Socially, it was nice to meet people from all over the world. The thing I liked the most about Toronto is that it's like a city with all the worlds combined. Like when I went on the bus I saw Indian people, Filipino people, Mexican people and I didn't feel out of place at all. I saw people from all over the world and they all felt at home in Toronto.
Did you get any cultural shocks when you first came to Canada? Or were you scared of anything?
When I was at home I was a little scared because people kept telling me I should be careful because I’ll be getting a culture shock once I go there. But when I actually went to Canada, I didn't feel like a stranger at all.
At first, though, I did feel a little lonely and homesick, because I didn't get to meet a lot of people, but then my supervisor and my mentor helped me meet other interns and then we all started to hang out together! That was pretty fun! Also, whenever I felt homesick I would just video call my parents! Advantages of the internet!
What are your favourite spots around Toronto?
Niagara falls was definitely my favourite. When I went on that trip with my friends, my mouth was open in awe the whole day! We went on the boat and we got near the falls and the water fell on us and we were all drenched! But I was really happy, it was a surreal experience. Probably one of the best experiences of my life. Even the town around Niagara falls, kind of like a theme park, was a great experience.
Another place I loved was Canada's Wonderland. It was so amazing. I thought I am gonna die on the roller coasters but I really enjoyed it! I went there with my friends and we made sure we went on all the roller coasters. I was shaking hahaha!
What are your favourite spots in York?
Definitely the library! Scott library is huge and the people that work there are wonderful. They helped me so much with my research and the environment there was perfect to help me study. I loved spending my time there!
What advice would you like to give other international students?
My first advice would be to just come. You should try your best to come and have this experience because it's life-changing. It really teaches you a lot. Not just from an academic perspective but also socially and mentally. Like one of the things that I learned is that all people are the same. People tend to differentiate it a lot but I think at the end of the day, we are all the same. And when you meet people from different cultures all together in one place, you get to understand on a deeper level that we are all the same. We are all just people.
When you experience different perspectives you become more open-minded. Coming here definitely taught me how to be compassionate, forgiving and loving.
"My advice to new international students would be to go out there and talk to as many people as possible!"
Name: Erhun Abbasli
Erhun is currently in the Film Production program at York. Not only is he an amazing film maker, but he is also a young entrepreneur who's growing his own social media page 'Filmmking'! Currently, he has over 230k followers and he has plans to grow bigger in the future. In this interview, he talks about his experiences as a York Student and a young entrepreneur!
Tell me a little about yourself, where are you from?
My name is Erhun Abbasli and I am a third-year film production (BFA) student at York University. I am from Baku, Azerbaijan. It is a country in the Caucasus region and bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east. I speak four languages: Azeri, Turkish, Russian and English. I lived in the capital city Baku for more than 17 years but then decided to move to Toronto for my film career.
How did you choose York for film?
After my research, I found that the film industry is well developed in Canada and I wanted to take this opportunity to develop my skills and direct/produce my films. I found York University's Film Production degree program during my research and applied right away. I have also visited Canada before, so I knew that it would be the right decision to move here.
How was your experience moving to Canada as an international student? Were you scared? Nervous? Excited?
It was difficult for me to move from the country that I was bornin, to a foreign country with a different culture. I didn't have had any relatives or family members in Canada, so I was all by myself. But that was the purpose of it, starting a new life and career.
And how was your experience at York?
I made many connections at York, my residence and outside York with the help of social clubs. I attended many community activities and I was able to introduce myself to other people. I understood the fact that it is going to be difficult to move to Toronto but later I realized that it is a vital step that I should make for my future.
What are your favourite things to do in Toronto?
When I have spare time, I love visiting downtown and filming footage of people walking around. Also, I try my best to attend film festivals in Toronto as you can meet many filmmakers from all around the world. I volunteered in many small film festivals and that really helped me to get to know more people in the art sector.
What advice would you give to international students who will be coming to join us in Toronto soon?
I totally understand the difficulties, language barrier for International students but my advice to new international students would be to go out there and talk to as many people as possible. That's the best thing they can do for their career and also social life. That's the number one priority for me to expand my network in Canada as I would like to become a film producer in the future. Who knows maybe one of those persons could be your business partner, lifetime friend or offer you a deal that could literally change your life!
What got you interested in films and social media?
I was around 15 years old when I started my first Youtube channel. Then that passion turned into making short films using my smartphone. And then, I decided to start a film-related social media page called "Filmmking" when I was 16 years old. Social media is one of the powerful tools available to everyone and I just took the opportunity to start my own page.
How did you start your page? Were there any difficulties?
I started with the first step, which was sharing content twice a day consistently. I featured creative content creators and behind the scenes from movies and of cameras. I reached a lot of people in a very short time period. Then I created my online store and run it along with my social media accounts.
Do you manage the page alone?
After a year, my sister learnt my strategies and decided to join me and help me develop my business. Since then we are running it together for over 2 years and we reached from 0 followers to over 225k followers from all around the world. It has many benefits for my film career; Many film festivals invite me to promote them on my page and do live streams for them. Film Brands send us free film equipment to test and make unboxing videos for them.
Did the pandemic affect your business in any way?
The best part of my business is that it is completely online, and I do not have a physical store or anything, so thankfully the pandemic didn't affect us much.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses?
My advice for young entrepreneurs would be that they should learn more about online business models. There are many resources available on YouTube and the best part is that it is totally free. I recommend searching for online business models and just start at some point.
Use TikTok, Instagram, Facebook social media platforms for marketing and develop your skills. Start your own brand and turn it into your passive income. Then invest your money and repeat it. Never give up and solve problems that you face one by one. The key point is very simple, work hard and always believe in yourself!
"Don’t think that you need to change yourself or change the way you are because you WILL find your group of friends. "
Name: Dishti Zaveri
Dishti, a Schulich student and an international student from Japan, talks about her adventures in Canada, and her experience at York! In this interview she tells us her favourite spots around Toronto and on campus, so read on to know more!
Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What program are you in?
I am Dishti Zaveri, I am from Kobe, Japan and I am a third-year student in the Schulich BBA course at York and will be specializing in marketing this coming fall!
So how did you decide to come to York to study?
It’s a funny story, I was planning to originally go to the UK to study, but my brother had told me that I should also consider Canada since it's such a welcoming country, especially for international students. So, I researched and found out about Schulich and how it's one of the best business schools in the country, and I decided to apply and got in! I then decided I want to go to Canada and not the UK and I am so glad I made that choice because I love it here.
And how was your experience coming to Toronto? Did it live up to your expectations?
It was an AMAZING experience. Weirdly, every person I came across was super nice and helpful. Like even when I came to York, on my first day of frosh, we were trying to find my res- Calumet and since the campus is HUGE, we kind of got lost. So then we saw a frosh leader and I went up to them to ask them for directions, and instead of just telling me the way, they were so nice that they walked me ALL the way to Calumet and back to my mom. Then afterwards they even showed me the long way and the shortcut so that it’s easier for me the next time I go. They were so nice!
What are your favourite places in Toronto?
OH, SO MANY! I would say I love ice skating at Nathan Philips during the winters, and most of the restaurants on Queen street are so good. There are also so many concerts and games happening in Scotia Bank Arena, so I love going there!
As an international student, what did you like the most about coming to York?
I think York made a huge effort in terms of including students, especially in residence.
They have a lot of social events in residence which are a great way to make new friends. And that's how I met a lot of people that are now close friends of mine!
I also think York has a LOT of cultural clubs, so I think because of those cultural clubs I was able to meet people who had similar backgrounds and interests as me.
What are your favourite spots on Campus?
I like the Bergeron lake area and the Quad area. Both these places are so chill and fun. And then of course York lanes because FOOD!
What have you been doing during the lockdown?
I am actually doing two internships right now. One of them is a digital marketing internship with a vegan skincare company based in Toronto. The other one is a marketing and creative writing internship at an NGO called ‘Immigrant Women in Business’. So, this NGO helps immigrant women in Canada start up their own businesses and my job here is basically helping with web and blog development, as well as social media posts.
I also just applied to become a mentor for Schulich, so we are going to be starting with mentor training and orientation soon, and I am really excited about that.
What advice would you give other international students coming to York?
Honestly, I feel like if we go somewhere new, it's easy for us to lose our personalities and try to change ourselves according to the people around us. And my advice would be don’t do that. Be yourself. York is a big university, there are thousands of students here and you will defiantly find someone who is like you, so don’t be scared to go out there and find people who are like you. Don’t think that you need to change yourself or change the way you are because you WILL find your group of friends eventually.
"I thought that when I attended school in Canada, I’d meet Canadians, but there’s so much diversity. I’ve met students from so many different countries already and learned about different cultures."
Name: Mishal Vellani
Mishal Vellani is a first-year earth and atmospheric science student at the Lassonde School of Engineering who lives in Kampala, Uganda. She shares her experience as an international student attending online classes.
"I hope to show people that regardless of who they are or where they come from, they can succeed and land their dream opportunity!"
Name: Fikayo Aderoju
Fikayo Aderoju is a compassionate, enthusiastic, self driven and motivated leader. He is currently in his 4th year studying Economics and an Intake Manager at TD Bank. He's also a Peer Mentor for York University's Vanier College and a TD Campus Ambassador, where he connects students with fantastic opportunities. Fikayo's life mandate is to impact lives and inspire people. He truly loves helping others reach their full potential and become the best version of themselves.
Aderoju, an international student from Nigeria who will be graduating with honours in economics from York University in 2022, and a circle of friends have created an informal charitable endeavour called Project Impacting Lives to give back to the Toronto community that has nurtured him throughout his undergraduate years.
“I’m a Christian and every single success in my life I attribute to God,” Aderoju says. “I didn’t want to wait until I was an alumnus to put some good out there, so in 2019, I started Project Impacting Lives with a group of friends. It’s a youth initiative to help people in need and make their lives better.”
The non-profit group got off to a rocky start when Fikayo and his friends decided to distribute food to the homeless in downtown Toronto and found the intended recipients weren’t tempted by the items they were offering.
“We didn’t give up; we decided to try again,” says Aderoju. “We became more strategic and did some research to see what was really needed. The next time, we brought emergency blankets, warm gloves and socks and we received tons of hugs in return. Last December, we gave out 100 packages on the street and we got lots of hugs.”
Using their personal funds and donations from their networks, the informal not-for-profit continues to “put some good out there.” This past summer, the friends participated in a food and fun fair in North York. They cooked dishes from Aderoju’s native Nigeria – chicken, jollof rice and plantains – and gave away meals to area residents and distributed some to the homeless. Recently, Project Impacting Lives raised money for a $1,100 scholarship to help a university student in financial need and then spread to word to potential applicants.
“We were worried about what we’d do if nobody applied, but we had 63 applicants,” Aderoju says. “The whole team has been reading through the applications. It’s hard to decide; there are so many great stories.”
Aderoju’s good works come from his heart and from his own experience. Although his parents pay his university tuition, he is responsible for his own living expenses and has been working while attending university to support himself. Since Oct. 2020, he has worked as a paid intern for TD Bank; first as a business analyst, then as an intake manager. He has also become a campus ambassador for TD, sharing his experiences and helping students get their resumes in front of the bank’s recruiters.
“Last May, I was begging for an internship and God blessed me,” Aderoju says. “I want to help 50 Black students get their own internships in 2022.”
Aderoju also assists fellow students in other ways. He is a peer mentor for Vanier College, coaching others on writing resumes and cover letter and he also serves as a Dean’s ambassador, motivating prospective high school students to attend York. In addition, he is a mentee in the Advancing Black Students stream of a new York University program, Advancing YU.
“I’m part of the inaugural class of mentees,” he says. “We meet monthly to get guidance on careers and navigating the corporate space.”
In fact, Aderoju is starting to explore career opportunities, since he’ll be graduating this coming spring, and whatever he learns about the process, he shares with others.
“Helping students isn’t work to me,” he says. “I like motivating myself and other people. I’m on this Earth to inspire people and impact their lives and I’m doing that to the best of my ability.”
Aderoju also feels blessed to have had the opportunity to attend York.
“I called the admissions office tirelessly until they let me in,” he says. “I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Although he initially dreamed of being an architect, he’s happier with his economics major.
“I like it a lot and I get to use what I learn in everyday life. I’ve learned time management and to ask for help when I need it, and I’ve put in a lot of hard work.”
Obviously, both he and the larger community will continue to benefit from his knowledge and initiative.
"My advice to any new student is an essential part of university is also character development. So build your circle, join clubs, have meaningful interactions, and be prepared to be challenged and step out of your comfort zone."
Name: Karishma Savani
Karishma Savani (BSc 2019) is proud of her York University Psychology and Business degree, but she is equally pleased by the lessons learned from her extracurricular activities, internship and work experiences.
“I had so much fun at York,” says Savani, now working as a Grants Manger with Mitacs, a not-for-profit that promotes research and training programs nationwide. “I learned so much during my time at York and grew so much as a person.”
Savani originally hails from the Congo, but she attended high school at a Kenyan boarding school before coming to Canada for her undergraduate degree. Her boarding school experience also laid the groundwork for the wealth of opportunities in which she participated outside the classroom.
“At boarding school, you have no time to sit around and relax,” Savani says. “It’s a go-go-go mentality.”
At York, Savani certainly was a goer and she hit the ground running, becoming a volunteer for York International (YI), the university’s hub for all things international, and a member of residence council.
“I was involved with York International all four years at York,” she says. “I volunteered at events and helped organize them; I was mentored by a peer mentor and became one myself; and I also worked for YI as a front desk assistant, growing the position into one of international student support assistant where I prepared information for staff reports and helped organize events.”
Through its Go Global program, York International also provided Savani with financial support toward an internship in Sri Lanka. Savani spent a month there working for a non-profit organization that offered art and music therapy to school children and adults in retirement homes, tasks designed to relieve depression, among other mental health disabilities and concerns.
“It was the first trip I took solo and I had to meet and live with new people, manage my time and plan my own excursions,” she says. “It was a cultural eye-opener and it also helped me to decide what to focus on in psychology, since I found it was easier for me to work with adults.”
Savani also dug deeper into residence life opportunities, working as a porter at Bethune residence and, in her final year, as a residence don at Pond residence.
“I love working with students,” she says. “As a porter, I got to meet so many new people, while as a don, I had more personal interactions and involvement. I enjoyed the one-on-one exchanges, and we did a lot of events organizing, so I had to get creative.”
And, as if those activities wouldn’t keep her busy enough, Savani was a member of the Entrepreneurs Development Association, a club that helped students learn about entrepreneurship. She began as a volunteer before moving on to operations manager and, in her third year, vice-president of operations. In her fourth year, she informally mentored students, but turned her extra energies to serving as an ambassador for the Faculty of Health, promoting the faculty to high school students at various events. In addition, she had a job in the campus copyright office.
“I made sure I was as involved as I could be,” Savani says.
Undoubtedly, the University benefited from Savani’s efforts as much as she did.