It's a long way from here to Nain.

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First you drive from Charlottetown to Baie Comeau, (QC) a journey of about 1,000 kilometres. Turn right. You still have about 1,500 kilometres to go. By then you're still only in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.

There's still about 300 more kilometres before you reach your destination. Just head toards Greenland and you're going in the right direction. Of course, you can't drive to this place. You'll have to take a plane or boat instead.

Just ask Bernard Obed, Abigail Webb, Samuel Dicker and Sarah Karpik. They grew up in Nain, N.L., an Inuit community with a population of about 1,300 people. The winters are long and the only way to get there is by plane or boat. Transportation is mainly by snowmobile. Food and other essential items are considerably more expensive as they have to be imported, there are no malls only two grocery stores with not a lot of variety of choices.

While many young Canadians probably can't fathom the idea of living in those sorts of conditions, Obed, Webb, Dicker and Karpik thrived.

The four spent most of their time playing sports and became avid volleyball players.

As well, they made the most of what the land could give them, said Obed.

"We really didn't have much else to do besides hunting and fishing."

The four students eventually had to leave it all behind when they decided to pursue education at Holland College in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

"We heard P.E.I. was a nice place, so we all came together," said Dicker.

Obed and Dicker are first and second year retail business management students and Webb and Karpik are first and second year sport and leisure management students. They are all close friends and they all live together, a situation that sounds like a dream to most students who find themselves living with strangers while going to college. Not only that, Obed and Webb are dating, so are Dicker and Karpik.

Karpik looked into Holland College while taking general university courses at the College of North Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L. She looked up courses at Holland College, particularly sport and leisure, then asked a friend, and former student of the program, who recommended it to her.

Once Karpik made her decision, Dicker followed suit. He wanted to go with Karpik, his girlfriend of over three years, and entrepreneurship had always interested him, he said.

"I always wanted to start a business."

Obed was looking into a different course when Karpik and Dicker recommended Holland College to him, but when he didn't get in, he went with his second option.

Webb wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do, but when Karpik recommended the sport and leisure program she decided to go with it.

Holland College's varsity sports were also a factor. With strong athletes from all over the world and an impressive record of wins, the college was a perfect fit for the four students who play both badminton and volleyball competitively.

On top of being athletes, Obed, Webb, Karpik and Dicker are driven students, said Albert Roche, manager of student services and athletics at Holland College.

"They're so devoted to the school, their studies, and the community."

They have already made a name for themselves at the college through their work ethic, whether it be in the classroom or on the court, he said.

"Their hometown should be proud of them."

All four have big plans for life after Holland College.

Dicker already has a journeyman license in welding. Once he receives his diploma in business and retail management he plans to start a welding business, possibly in his hometown.

"There's a lot of opportunity for business in Nain."

Obed plans to do the same. Nain is a self-governed municipality and encourages independent business.

"They're crying for business."

Karpik plans to transfer to UNB to study kinesiology after she graduates and work towards her certification as a trainer. She wants a career as a fitness and health promoter.

Webb plans to transfer to Memorial University in Corner Brook, N.L., to take environmental science courses. Then she wants to work for Torngat National Park , north of Nain.