There are some students who go to extremes to attend George Brown College.
Zamyad Meherji is one of them.
Meherji came to Toronto in late August of this year – and to get here required a 34-hour journey, and several stops, since the time he boarded a plane in India.
The 24-year old, a graduate of St. Xavier's College in Kolkata, earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) Degree, worked for a soccer agency in his homeland and also handled game day operations for United Sikkim Football Club, a Premier Division club in the Indian League.
Now, as an international student, he wants to cap off his education as a post-grad student in the popular one-year Sport and Event Marketing Program.
A multi-sport student in his teens, Meherji was a swimmer, played cricket, field hockey and table tennis.
But his passion remains with soccer.
Knowing he was coming to Toronto, Meherji had pre-arranged for tickets to see Toronto FC play the Chicago Fire – and he caught the game, with suitcases still packed, just two days after arriving.
"I watched videos about Toronto, spoke to relatives, but when you actually get here – this is quite the city," he said, admitting that his only travel out of India was for vacation or soccer tournaments in Thailand. "Everything here is different, so many people from different cultures and of various nationalities and yet you feel home."
Meherji, after finding a place to live with a friend, didn't waste time checking out the feasibility of playing soccer for George Brown. A winger, he's quick, knows the game and made the Huskies roster.
Practicing on artificial turf is also different for him as his experience has been on a grass field.
"I like to be more of an attacking player, not afraid to take on the defenders utilizing my pace and try to bring a different dimension and agility for my team," said Meherji. "I like to be vocal and communicative on the field and appreciate the opportunity to be part of the George Brown team."
Meherji was captain of the soccer team at St. Xavier's, and was the recipient of a Certificate of Merit in soccer as well as cited for outstanding contribution to sports. - DG
