Scholarships, Global Experiences, and More at York University

Find out how York helped one international student fund his degree.

Qjiel Zamora Mariano, a fourth-year global health student from the Philippines, travelled to Canada to pursue his education at York University in Toronto. As a Tentanda Via Award winner, Qjiel says that this scholarship has given him the chance to make a change and feel rewarded for the work he has done to get here.

“My grassroots work for communities in the Philippines has led me here. I see the Tentanda Via Award was an opportunity to share my resources,” he says.

Start applying for scholarships

With a variety of scholarships and bursaries to apply for, we want to celebrate the academic and community accomplishments of our students. Once you submit an application to York, you can start applying for awards, regardless of whether your application has been accepted yet — meaning you can get started on your financial planning.

York offers first undergraduate degree in global health

But why York when there are so many universities to choose from? For Qjiel, the answer is simple: York University offers the first undergraduate degree in global health.

“I really wanted to bring global health back to the Philippines, because it's not been fully realized yet,” Qjiel says “I know coming here for an education can help me bring back amazing learnings to help my countrymen.”

Study abroad opportunities

Alongside completing his studies in Toronto, Qjiel’s ambitions didn’t stop there: “I was also fortunate to travel to 11 countries this year to pursue my global health advocacies,” Qjiel says, “York was able to help me realize that.”

York University is uniquely globally connected. With an extremely diverse student body to connect with and educators with their own international expertise, not only will this enhance your experience, but like Qjiel, you may decide to put what you’ve learned to use in your home country. With over 200 programs to choose from, you can pursue your passion and meet others pursuing theirs — all from York's diverse and welcoming campuses.

Studying abroad can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that growth comes with being challenged. Take the first step into your new experience, you never know what will await you!

Finding a community on campus

“I know it might be challenging to be in a new place and navigate in this important space,” Qjiel says, “but please know there are a lot of opportunities to reconnect with your community.”

Whether it be by connecting with your peers at York International (YI), or joining clubs, Qjiel says there’s space for everyone at York, and everyone is eager to make a new friend. He has found groups dedicated to his culture, such as the Filipino Students Association, which helps him feel at home in Toronto — but there are hundreds of clubs to choose from at York, which also benefit you finding a new interest to explore.

“You should never feel lonely,” he says. “I’m sure you’re going to find a sense of community here.”

Before you make your journey to York, you can feel confident knowing that YI will be there to help you throughout your studies. The support doesn’t stop there — you can take advantage of services across campus for academic advising, well-being, accessibility, and more.

When you enter the community on one of York’s three campuses, you can get a new and exciting perspective and experience city life in Toronto, Canada. For Qjiel, this perspective makes York one of a kind.

“We welcome all kinds of people, all kinds of cultures,” he says. "York University has been a melting pot of cultures for many, many years now.”

Not only will you get a unique experience on York’s three campuses, but you may have the opportunity to study abroad for a term. Qjiel was able to study at the National University of Singapore and Hanyang University during the summer 2024 term, an experience that can heighten studies by connecting York students to other international scholars.

Join the community, and experience what Qjiel is talking about for yourself. Your first step is putting yourself out there, send us an application today — leave your impact at York and beyond. We can’t wait to support your dreams!