Working With International Students in California Community Colleges

Working With International Students in California Community Colleges MARK ISHAM FACULTY, COUNSELING/INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE PLEASANT HILL, CALIFORNIA

What is an “international student”? International Student: Any student studying in the United States with a non-resident student visa. Main student visa types are F-1, J-1, M-1, and M-3. Most international students have F-1 visa, indicating a specific program terminating in a certificate, degree, or transfer program, or intensive English language program. J-1 visa is mainly for students on a temporary program (e. g. exchange students) or who are sponsored by their home governments. M-1 visa is for vocational/technical programs. M-3 is for border commuter students who maintain residence in Mexico or Canada but take classes in the U. S.

International Students in the U. S. : The Big Picture Open Doors Report (Institute for International Education), 2006 -2007 Academic Year: 582, 984 International Students in U. S. Institutions 86, 179 International Students in U. S. Associate’s (Community College/Junior College) Institutions 77, 987 International Students in California Institutions of Higher Education (more than any other state!) $2, 189, 000 contribution to the California economy!!

International Students in California: More from Open Doors, 2006 -2007 Top 5 Institutions with 1, 000+ International Students Rank Total IS 1 USC 7, 115 2 UCLA 4, 704 3 Stanford 3, 751 4 UC-Berkeley 3, 167 5 Institution Santa Monica College 2, 851 % of Inter. Students Total This Country Republic of Korea 13. 5 8, 582 Japan 12. 5 7, 943 India 10. 6 6, 779 China (PRC) 9. 9 6, 321 Taiwan 8. 9 5, 643 Top 5 Countries of Origin Country

International Students in California: More from Open Doors, 2006 -2007 Fall 2006: 33, 573 F-1 and M-1 students in California Community Colleges; 49, 033 in Fall 2007, according to the Chancellor’s Office. Rank Institution IS Enrollment 3/40 Santa Monica College 2, 851 4/40 De Anza College 2, 155 8/40 City College of S. F. 1, 220 11/40 Foothill College 1, 077 14/40 Pasadena City College 1, 003 16 (tie)/40 Diablo Valley College 912 21/40 El Camino College 780 22/40 L. A. City College 770 30/40 Mission College 653 31/40 Orange Coast College 652 35/40 Santa Barbara City College 637 38/40 Glendale C. C. 610 40/40 Grossmont College 558 Total 13, 878

The Costs of Attending a California Community College Institution Cost per Unit* Quarter/Semester Santa Monica College $195 Semester De Anza College $136 Quarter City College of San Francisco $181 Semester Foothill College $136 Quarter Pasadena City College $181 Semester Diablo Valley College $198 Semester El Camino College $200 Semester Los Angeles City College $183 Semester Mission College $181 Semester Orange Coast College $202 Semester *Costs are tuition only and may not include other fees as applied by the college, living expenses, health insurance, etc. Other costs vary by campus, city, and region. As always, fees are subject to change.

What benefits do international students bring to California’s community colleges? Cultural Diversity: California resident students may represent various backgrounds themselves, but most have the common identity of being Californians and Americans or Permanent Residents. Cultural Awareness: Many California resident students have never had a significant interaction with a person from another country before. Revenues: Remember, more than two BILLION dollars was contributed to the California economy in 2006 -2007 by international students!

Immigration Regulations for F-1 International Students: The Basics Maintain full-time enrollment each term (except “vacation” term as defined by United States Citizen and Immigrant Services, USCIS, or when given permission by international student office). Do not work off-campus without USCIS approval. Make regular progress toward program completion as it is defined on immigration documents (W’s, I’s, NC’s do not count as regular progress). Make sure passport, visa, and I-20 (document issued by host institution) are current and valid for travel.

On-campus International Student Resource: The International Student Office Every community college that enrolls international students will have an international student office, if not on campus, then somewhere else within the district. Respect your boundaries as a peer helper; while your perspective as a peer is valuable, NEVER try to give immigration advising or academic counseling to an international student. Always refer students to the appropriate office for advising and counseling to insure accountability for the future.

Some Common Issues that International Students Face Financial: International Students cannot qualify for Federal or State financial aid; they are restricted to working on-campus unless they have permission from USCIS to work off-campus; transferring funds from some other countries to the U. S. can sometimes be complicated; unfamiliarity with U. S. banking system. Personal: International Students may feel homesick; may suffer from culture shock; may experience language barrier; may feel isolated/lonely; may not know how or to whom to ask for help.

Some Common Issues that International Students Face Academic: Limited English proficiency; unfamiliarity with U. S. educational system; meeting professors’ expectations; academic honesty; transferability of units; university name recognition in home country; pressure to succeed from family back home; lack of personal freedom in decisionmaking. Adjustment: Language, culture, climate, food, water, time zone, social interactions, customs. Relationships: Family, dating, sexuality, gender identity.

A Process for Peer-Helping: LARC L ISTEN to the student’s needs or concerns. A SK questions to confirm your understanding. R EFER the student to appropriate campus and/or community resources. C HECK-IN with the student later to determine whether or not s/he followed your referral.

Advocating for International Students Work with on-campus resources: International Student Services, Student Life/Student Affairs, Faculty Allies, Counseling. Network with professional organizations: NAFSA: Association of International Educators; American College Personnel Association; National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Connect students with community resources: Co-national organizations; faith-affiliated organizations; state and local human services organizations; LGBT community centers; etc. Consider establishing a committee on international education in SSCCC.

Advocacy Websites NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Take Action Center http: //capwiz. com/nafsa/home/ American College Personnel Association http: //www. acpa. nche. edu/ National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) http: //www. naspa. org/ Student Senate for California Community Colleges http: //www. studentsenateccc. org/