Being treated to ice cream and cake in celebration of Canada Day was “lovely,” says Beatrice Ishaka, one of more than 100 students who enjoyed a party Thursday in the International Student Centre.

“I feel welcomed,” says the biology major, a native of Nigeria. “This is the nicest thing someone has done for me as an international student.”

She planned to march in Windsor’s Canada Day parade on Friday as part of a contingent of volunteers dressed in pink to represent the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

Seeing the students join in civic activities is part of integrating them into local life, says Mike Houston, director of international affairs.

“We just want to get people in the spirit of our nation’s birthday,” he says. “What better time to celebrate Canada?”

Besides eating desserts, students entered a prize draw for wearing red and white apparel.