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What International Students Should Expect From a Community
College
For the past few years fastest growing
enrolments of international students in the United States
have taken place on the campuses of America’s
community colleges. One of the great treasures of American
higher education, the community college system has now
begun to be discovered by students from all over the
world who see the advantages of institutes that are
convenient, affordable, innovative, and ready to admit
students from other countries.
Community College are located in virtually
every population centre in the United States-from small
towns in rural areas to the downtown campuses in large
cities. They offer a variety of academic and vocational
programs. They also offer a wide range of services to
very diverse student populations. And increasingly,
they are seeking to attract foreign students by offering
special services to this unique population. What services
can international students expect to find at a community
college, and which of these services are often found
nowhere except at a community college?
To answer these questions, it might be
best to begin with the services that are not usually
offered by community colleges. For example, unlike many
universities and four-year colleges, community colleges
generally do not have on-campus housing.
The most common type of housing at universities
is often a shared room in a dormitory of “dorm”
(also referred to as a residence halls). Some residence
halls are quite plain, but the rooms are comfortable
and cheap and give students a taste of the traditional
American college experience. Since community colleges
are often “commuter schools” within commuting
distance for students living in the surrounding urban
or suburban areas, most of them do not have on-campus
housing of any kind. Students attending community colleges
live in the local community, usually with their families.
The only public community colleges that typically have
dormitories are located in remote rural areas far away
from population centres. These colleges have to provide
housing because their students come along distances
to attend classes. This is particularly true in wide-open
spaces of the western United States.
Another service that you might not find
at a community college is the health centre. On many
university campuses, students who fell ill or who have
a health problem can go to a campus clinic. They may
be treated by a registered nurse or other health care
provider. Most large universities have full-time doctors
on the staff who can treat students for any number of
aliments or medical problems.
But community colleges tend not to have
large health clinics. Many community colleges have no
medical staff at all. Students who need to see a doctor
do what anyone else in the community would do-they fine
medical services in the community. By not operating
dormitories and clinics, community colleges save money.
The savings are then passed on to the students in the
form of lower tuition and fees.
Some of the services that both universities
and community colleges provide are listed below. Please
note that this list is by no means comprehensive, but
it provides a checklist for international students who
want to compare what is available at different institutions.
Orientation Programs:
Most colleges and universities that welcome foreign
students provide some kind of orientation program for
new students. These programs may last anywhere from
half a day to a week or more. You should find out if
the institution you want to attend has an orientation
program, and if so, how long does it take and what does
it include? A well-organized orientation program is
a good indication of a higher quality international
student program.
Academic Advising:
What is more important than getting good advice about
how to achieve your academic goals in the most efficient
manner possible? Because academic advising is so critical,
it is probably the most widely used service offered
on most campuses. All students have questions that only
well-trained academic advisors can answer. It is important
that you find out how to get the most out of the academic
advisors wherever you decide to enrol.
Immigration Advising
and Processing: This is another critical “must”
for international students. The ins and outs of U.S.
immigration laws and policies are sometimes baffling.
A good foreign student advisor can guide you through
and help you avoid making costly mistakes. Conversely,
a poor advisor can have a negative impact on your entire
future.
Health Insurance
Program: As medical costs climb higher in the
USA, it is absolutely essential to have insurance coverage
for accident, injuries, or serious illnesses. Many colleges
and universities require international students to purchase
a particular health insurance plan. Find out in advance
what the policy is and be prepared to pay for insurance.
It is much better to have it and use it than to lack
insurance and fine yourself with astronomical medical
bills to pay.
International Students
Association: If college or university has any
sizable population of international students, chances
are good that there is an association. Some campuses
even have associations for students from one particular
country, for example, a Korean students association
or a Chinese students club. If there is a club, join
it and support it by your participation. You will have
some of the best and most memorable experiences of your
life!
Personal and Career
Counselling: What do you want to major in? What
are the “hot” careers? What future jobs
suit your personality, aptitude and interests? What
can you do about chronic depression or irrational fears?
Is your boyfriend of girl friend treating you right?
You can get help with all these questions at the college
of university’s counselling centre. Don’t
be afraid to make use of this service. It’s there
for you and the professional staff there will talk to
you as an adult in complete confidentiality.
Food Service:
Practically every institution has a cafeteria where
you can grab a bite to eat, have coffee with your friends,
or stop between classes to have a cold drink. Large
campuses tend to offer more choices of menu, payment
plans, and meal options.
Transportation:
Some universities and colleges offer free shuttle bus
service or discounted public bus passes. On many campuses
you can get help arranging ride sharing.
Financial Aid:
Don’t expect to find a lot of scholarship money
available to foreign students. Most financial aid in
the U.S. comes from the federal government and is therefore
restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the
United States. Nevertheless, the financial aid office
can help you determine if you are qualified for any
forms of financial aid.
Student Employment
Office of Career Centre: International Students
who have an F-1 or J-1 visa may be eligible to work
on the college campus if they meet certain conditions.
Check with the foreign student advisor on your employment
eligibility. If you can take a campus job, you might
find one that suits you through the student employment
office or carer services centre
Computing, Internet Access, Online
Service: The first thing many
student look for when they arrive on a new campus is
a place where they can check their e-mail account. Most
colleges and universities offer student e-mail accounts,
access to the internet, and other types of online and
computer services. Some institutions even require all
students to purchase their own personal computer (PC).
With a PC, students can loginto the library, download
course syllabi ,access their
grades, register for classes, and even order a pizza!
• English as a Second
Language (ESL):There are many
different kinds of ESL programs on college and university
campuses. If you need help with English, find out what
is available, how much it costs,how long it lasts, and
how it fits into the overall admission or course requirements.
• Student Activities:
Do you like to play chess,watch movies, or go camping?
Do you enjoy dancing or are you interested in getting
involved in volunteer projects? The student activity
office on the campus has a long list of things that
you can do in your spare time. There are clubs, groups,
and people with common interests on your campus. But
it’s your job to balance your leisure time and
your study time!
• Sports, Athletics, Intramural Teams: You
can be a spectator or a participant. Just choose your
sport and you ’ll probably find it. (Even cricket
players can find an outlet for their passion in many
American cities!) Try something new while in
America. You might really enjoy baseball!
• Testing Services :
Many colleges and universities offer students the chance
to si t f or required test s, such as the TOEFL, GRE,
GMAT, etc. Some schools even offer classes designed
to prepare students for these tests. Other types of
tests offered might include placement test , aptitude
tests, interest tests, GED (General Equivalency Diploma)
tests, and even make-up tests (if you miss a classroom
test due to illness).
• Tutoring Programs:
If you find that you need
extra help outside of class with mathemat ics,or accounting,
or history, or English composition, you may be able
to sign up for a tutor.Tutors are generally other students
who know a subject so
well that they volunteer to help other students learn.
Sometimes tutors are paid to help. If you are competent
enough to be a tutor, you may be able to get a
paid position as a tutor.
• Remedial Programs:
This is a particular strength of community colleges.Students
who enter the college with weak skill in English or
mathematics can begin with a course below college level.These
courses will prepare the student to continue
in the subject and work up to college level courses.
• Honors Programs
: For gifted students, participation
in
an honors program can be one of the most challenging
and rewarding expe- riences of their college career.
Honors classes tend to have the best students, the
best professors, and the most interesting class discussions.
There may be oth-
er benefits as well.Community college honor students
can join Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society.
Phi Beta Kappa is the most prestigious honor society
for students in a four-year institution.
• Cultural Programs and Festivals: More
and more colleges and universities sponsor international
or cultural festivals. They are a wonderful opportunity
for you to share your country, language, and culture
with your fellow students. Find out how you can get
involved in planning and promoting the event.
• Family Friendship
Program: These programs offer
the international students a chance to become friends
with an American family.The family will invite you to
their home or take you to museums,ballgames,or tourist
attractions. You will not live with the family but you
will become a close friend and may even share holidays
and special occasions with them. These are just a few
of the programs, services, and activities that you can
expect to find on many college and university campuses.If
you have a need or an interest in any of the things
on this list, it is well worth your time and effort
to find out about it in advance. When you are considering
which college or university to send an application
to,ask about the services that you think you will need.
Find out exactly what is offered, how much it costs,
and whether or not it is available to international
students.
If you don’t take advantage of a service that
is provided for your benefit, the loss is yours and
you have no one to blame but yourself.Your American
college experience will be all the more rich and rewarding
if you take full advantage of the services and programs
to which you are entitled.
Author: Ken Bus, Director, International
Students Program, Glendale Community College
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