“Community College – The Perfect Fit For International Students”

International students researching colleges abroad in the United States often times encounter a new term, “Community College”, when seeking postsecondary institutions of higher learning. Community colleges are a rarity outside of the United States but a staple of the United States educational environments for students here and a most welcoming place for international students to attend to start their college careers. What is the “Community College” and what makes it so attractive to students locally and internationally? The answers are many, varied and flexible to meet all students’ needs.

To begin with, community colleges offer a wide range of academic programs and careers which can fulfill the goals of international students looking for two year Associate degrees needed to enter the work force back home or to enable them to continue at a 4 year institution for a bachelor’s degree. Since the first two years of a college education in the United States is comprised of general education courses for all students and several elective courses in each students’ selected major area, students are exposed to a wide array of different subjects, skills and personal aptitudes which either enhance their first career goal or provides them with more information to make a “better fit” or choice to their abilities and likes in a different field of study. It is almost like a testing ground to see if what you think you like is really what you like!

This opportunity to explore the different course majors offered at the community college is most often provided in smaller classroom settings compared to large universities and at a less expensive financial cost. The individual attention provided by faculty and staff members at the community college adds to the ease of international students acclimating to a new environment here in the United States and to a new academic system. International students receive that extra personal touch that helps them overcome homesickness and culture shock by the wealth of activities and interactions with campus personnel provided at the community college.

In addition, many community colleges offer English Language skills training for those not yet proficient in English or basic skills courses for those students needing some remediation in English writing, reading and mathematics before starting their educational studies. Standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT are not required for admission to most community colleges but maybe a stumbling block for international students wanting admissions directly into a 4 year college or university. Once international students complete their two year Associate degrees at the community college, transferring to 4 year colleges and universities becomes much easier and the transition much smoother. In fact, many community colleges have established formal agreements with 4 year institutions which grant transferring community college students the 3rd year rank or junior standing at these schools after community college students complete their Associate degrees without additional placement testing or courses.

As previously mentioned, most community colleges have lower tuition fees than most colleges and universities so as to make them more enticing and affordable to community residents and international students. In this way, international students can obtain the first two years of a bachelor’s degree education at a less expensive cost before these students transfer out of the community college for the last two years of a bachelor’s degree which will cost more at the 4 year colleges and universities. Some community colleges even have on campus housing available, homestays or reasonably priced apartments off campus for student occupancy.

When combining the many advantages of the community college such as career choices, academic programs, language training, classroom size, personal attention from faculty and campus staff, ease of transferring to upper division institutions and financial cost savings, the community college may be the appropriate place for international students to begin their educational pursuits in the United States. Students and their families will be rewarded with the quality of instruction, educational and extracurricular activities, personal attention and financial savings the community college offers and the “perfect fit” for prospective international students!

Editorial provided by Dr. Paula Epstein, Director of International Student Services, Miami Dade College-Wolfson Campus.