Mia @ MiraCosta College International Office

International students at MiraCosta College come from many places. This spring, three students studying English at the Kaplan International Center in La Jolla decided to start their academic studies at our college.  The story of their arrival illustrates the range of reasons international students choose MiraCosta College.

Anastacio from Angola

Anastacio is from Angola, a country in southern Africa.  He describes Angola as a great place with hospitable people.  The weather is tropical and humid.  Angola has a good economy, experiencing fast development.  It is the second highest oil producer in Africa.  Tacio is from the capital, Luanda and is studying international relations at MiraCosta College.  He also likes to play basketball.  When I asked him for his favorite place on campus he immediate said the gym! 

How did you decide to study English at Kaplan International Center in La Jolla? 

My brother’s friend told me studying English in the United States.  I was looking for a school in the United States with good weather.  I decided to look in San Diego and found Kaplan.

Why did you decide to study at MiraCosta College? 

I was looking for college that would accept my TOEFL test score.  I was studying with Erick and Eduardo and the three of us decided to study together. 

What do you think about your experience so far?   

I think MiraCosta is a great place!  I like to hang out with native speakers.  I feel like I am getting a real education about the U.S.  I feel like I belong.   

International students at MiraCosta College come from many places. This spring, three students studying English at the Kaplan International Center in La Jolla decided to start their academic studies at our college.  The story of their arrival illustrates the range of reasons international students choose MiraCosta College.

Erick from Brazil  

Erick is from Sao Paulo, Brazil which he describes as a big place, with lots of people, and lots of good opportunities for work --- the economy is very strong.  Erick works as a videographer which he very much enjoys.  He has done surf videos but now does all kinds like skateboarding and soccer.  But it is not always safe to do this work in Brazil because the equipment is target for robberies.    He in fact had equipment stolen the week before his arrival to San Diego. 

How did you decide to study English at Kaplan International Center in La Jolla? 

I had friends who told me about Kaplan La Jolla.  I did not know much beforehand, then found out it is beautiful and safe. 

Why did you decide to study at MiraCosta College? 

A teacher at Kaplan, Derek , told me about MiraCosta and explained about the good aspects of the community college.  Friends at Kaplan also were interested in MiraCosta College. 

What do you think about your experience so far?    I always wanted to be on a college campus. I really like the great equipment in classes.  It really is the best equipment.  Tripods.  Cameras.  All the computers are macs – very new and modern.  Library is also very good. 

International students at MiraCosta College come from many places.  This spring, three students studying English at the Kaplan International Center in La Jolla decided to start their academic studies at our college.  The story of their arrival illustrates the range of reasons international students choose MiraCosta College.

Eduardo Tejada is from Venezuela  which he describes as a wonderful place with warm weather. Like many Venezuelans, Eduardo lights up when describing the food he misses from his country including areapas.  Eduardo is studying Media Arts and Technology.  He considers himself an artist person and is eager to learn more making and editing videos.

How did you decide to study English at Kaplan International Center in La Jolla? 

Eduardo: I heard about Kaplan from friends.  I was at a party in Caracas heard about learning English in the United States.  I visited the Kaplan Office in Caracas.  The representatives explained how Kaplan educational worked with the students.  He chose Kaplan because felt it was a serious program based upon how they evaluate student, show progress, and focus on attendance. 

Why did you decide to study at MiraCosta College?  I learned about MiraCosta from a current student I know from Venezuela.  I went to the website and saw the pictures and thought it was a beautiful campus. 

What do you think about your experience so far?     I think this college is great!  I like the teachers, the green areas, the views.  People here are friendly and very helpful, especially at the library.  I like to go there. 

Community colleges serve a valuable role in U.S. higher education.  Through our recognized quality programs leading to associate degrees, university transfer, and career-and-technical education, community colleges are uniquely positioned to transform students so that they will be able to meet the needs of the new economy.  President Barack Obama lists community colleges among his top education priorities for the United States stating  " investing in community colleges ... ensures that everyone who works hard can get ahead."

But we are not the only country interested in developing better pathways to quality education.  At the beginning of fall semester, I met with a representative from the Department of Education in China's Yunnan Province.  One of the goals of her trip was to gather information on how to improve technical training in her region and expand international opportunities for their students.   After visiting our campus, the Yunnan Department of Education invited MiraCosta representatives to visit the region to consider building relationships with local institutions.  MiraCosta's Business Professor Christina Hata and Diversity Outreach Coordinator Aubrey Kuan Roderick will travel to Yunnan Region in late March to visit Yunnan College of Business Management and the Xishuangbanna Vocational and Technical Institute in addition to meeting with the Department of Education. Christina and Aubrey will return and advise MiraCosta about possible opportunities to build international initiatives together.  I wish them the best for safe travels and for productive dialogue! 

Downtown Kunming in Yunnan, China                   Knife Pole Festival of Lisu Nationality in Yunnan Province

How do you describe a college? It is not an easy task. Especially if you need to describe a U.S. college to people from all over the world, each with their own pre-conceived idea of what a college is like. There are many qualities students can expect at every fully-acredited American college -- such as clear admission procedures, tuition and fees explained, instruction and services to help students learn and achieve their goals. But U.S. colleges are like Americans themselves -- each with its own flavor and priorities.

At MiraCosta College, our goal is to describe our flavor and priorities to help international students understand what they can expect at our college.

-what does the campus look like? How will it feel when I am there?

For too long, we struggled to show prospective students how beautiful and comfortable our campus really is. From the comfortable temperature year round, to our intimate setting upon a hill providing ocean views, we needed to spread the word that you will not find a more beautiful campus. So the International Office the Public Information Office joined together to create a Virtual Campus Tour. When I spoke to the website developers, I explained that I needed visitors to "feel our ocean breeze" So check it out!

www.miracosta.edu/virtualtour

Click on the different locations. Do you see the great weather and ocean breeze? I hope so! Tell me what you think.

December is the busiest month for the International Office.  The reason we are so busy is that we have 163 international students completing finals, requesting travel permission, and trying to enroll for spring semester.  Some of these students will complete their program in December and will begin new projects in the future.

Four international students graduating in December are applying for working permission in the United States under an international student program called Optional Practical Training (OPT).  OPT is a benefit granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service that allows international students to gain practical experience related to their program of study.  Each year, the International Office and the Career Studies and Services department at MiraCosta assists 5-10 students apply for this benefit and find meaningful work.   This December, the four students are seeking employment related to their academic majors in Accounting, Graphic Design, Child Development, and Hospitality Management.  The International Office congratulates all Miracosta fall semester graduates and wishes them continued success in their future goals!