The lives of international students
"I must admit, it was a bit hard as a freshman when I felt awkward mixing with students of other cultures and backgrounds, but now I'm enjoying every bit of it."
Liz Emoka
Posted in: News on 10/21/09 at 9:42 PM PST
Like many colleges, Los Angeles Harbor College participates in an International Student program. These students are usually teenagers to young adults who move from other countries and travel to foreign educational institutions. Harbor and other colleges also assist with student exchange programs which expose international students to see the United States.
It also helps these students improve their language skills as well as advance in their specialized studies. Of course, not all countries have it the same when it comes to getting the proper education and welfare. A majority of these individuals leave for better opportunities, to get exposed to different cultures and to broaden their horizons.
California is the leading state for international students at 77,186 this year followed by New York. Still, this is a decline compared to recent years. The overall decline in International students enrolled in U.S colleges and universities have been caused by a variety of reasons, such as the difficulty in obtaining student visas and rising tuition costs, like Harbor Colleges increase in price per unit. There are also extra charges on top of the cost per unit for the international student!
At LAHC there is an upside for international students. They seem to get along with other students because some are able to meet others with similar interests in week. Still, some might find it more difficult due to the fact that they are not from an English speaking country, making it hard for them to understand the other students and instructors. However, with time and aid, most will become familiar with everything and get by fine.
There are a few "do's and don'ts," as an international student, making them different from every other student on campus. These students pay for their tuition and books as well as housing and food on their own. Sometimes they get sponsors such as parents or any other relative aware of their status in the United States to assist them. The drawback of sponsorship is that the students do not qualify for any student loans or financial aid of any sort. They stay in-status by taking 12 units per semester until they graduate. If by any chance they add on another unit(s), they get to take the units in question for free. Like every other student in school, they belong to some group. International Student Advisor Paul F. Grady plans dinners in order to give these students an opportunity to socialize with each other.
It also helps these students improve their language skills as well as advance in their specialized studies. Of course, not all countries have it the same when it comes to getting the proper education and welfare. A majority of these individuals leave for better opportunities, to get exposed to different cultures and to broaden their horizons.
California is the leading state for international students at 77,186 this year followed by New York. Still, this is a decline compared to recent years. The overall decline in International students enrolled in U.S colleges and universities have been caused by a variety of reasons, such as the difficulty in obtaining student visas and rising tuition costs, like Harbor Colleges increase in price per unit. There are also extra charges on top of the cost per unit for the international student!
At LAHC there is an upside for international students. They seem to get along with other students because some are able to meet others with similar interests in week. Still, some might find it more difficult due to the fact that they are not from an English speaking country, making it hard for them to understand the other students and instructors. However, with time and aid, most will become familiar with everything and get by fine.
There are a few "do's and don'ts," as an international student, making them different from every other student on campus. These students pay for their tuition and books as well as housing and food on their own. Sometimes they get sponsors such as parents or any other relative aware of their status in the United States to assist them. The drawback of sponsorship is that the students do not qualify for any student loans or financial aid of any sort. They stay in-status by taking 12 units per semester until they graduate. If by any chance they add on another unit(s), they get to take the units in question for free. Like every other student in school, they belong to some group. International Student Advisor Paul F. Grady plans dinners in order to give these students an opportunity to socialize with each other.
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