Raised in Puna and Bombay, Sharad and Vasudha Kavadi have lived in Houston since 1980. Sharad Kavadi worked for several years as an architect before retiring. His wife, Vasudha, is a homemaker. Between 1968 and 1980, they moved to New York, Kentucky, and San Francisco while working for the same engineering company, Bechtel. They lived in Houston for a few months in 1976 but did not like the city. They found that a major shift in attitudes toward foreigners has occurred by 1980, largely due to the influx of foreigners and large professional companies. Their son and daughter attended Rice University for their undergraduate education- education being a high priority within the Kavadi family. Mr. Kavadi speaks of the instances of impoliteness he has experienced as a foreigner though both husbands and wife are quick to point to a generally welcoming attitude among Houstonians.