 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
7th Floor
New York, NY 10017
USA
Tel: +1 (212) 984 5367
|
|
|
|
 |
WHY STUDY AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE?
By Mark Wen, North Seattle Community College
Mark Wen gives us his ten reasons as to why international students should study at American Community Colleges
More than 10 million students are attending about 1200 community colleges in the US. In recent years, more and more international students have chosen to start their college education at American community colleges. Each year more than 98,000 international students from all over the world are studying at community colleges. Houston Community College has 3500 international students. Seminole Community College, in Florida, has 1600 international students which is 20% of the total student enrolment. There are many advantages for international students to get their first two years of a bachelor’s degree at a community college, and then transfer into a university to finish the 3rd and 4th year.
The top 10 reasons international students should study at American Community Colleges are:
1. Quality education with much lower cost
Most American community colleges are funded by state or local taxes. Tuition can be as much as 20-80% less than at regular universities. One academic year of community college tuition can be as low as $4,000 to $6,000 US dollars, compared to one academic year of university tuition at $15,000 to $25,000 US dollars.
2. Admission is flexible and easier
One of the unique policies of a community college is open enrolment. Academic requirements are usually lower than four-year universities. International students, with or without a high school diploma, can enroll at a community college. Some community colleges even offer high school completion programs. This means that international students can finish their last year of high school at a community college. Some of the high school credits can also be counted as the first year of college credits. This system is only available in American community colleges.
3. Lower or no TOEFL requirements
Many community colleges offer intensive English as a Second Language programs for students whose TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score is too low. After on-campus intensive English programs, international students can enrol directly in college level studies.
4. Smaller class size, easier communication with instructors
Community colleges are often smaller than traditional four-year universities. Classes are smaller. The average community college class size is 25-35 students. In contrast, some introductory level courses at universities are in lecture halls with 150-300 or more students in a class. Many international students say that attending community college for two years improves their language skills, helps them grow accustomed to the U.S. educational system and way of life, and allows them to make an easier transition into larger universities to finish the 3rd and 4th years.
5. More supportive learning environments
The community college system is friendly to international students. For most international students, English is their second language. Competing with American students in the same class puts them at a disadvantage. However, there are many free support services such as tutoring, writing labs, international student clubs, and international student service centers that can help level the playing field.
6. Wide variety of courses of study
The main mission of community colleges is to meet the educational needs of "the community", and to provide higher education and job skill training to all people in the community. International students have a wide variety of subjects and majors they can choose to study.
7. Specialized short-term certificate programs meet the needs of industry
Often, specialized skills are needed for certain industries such as CISCO Computer Networking, restaurant management, interior design, real estate management, etc. Community colleges are the best place for many of these short-term certificate programs to help meet industry demands. Each year, more than 200,000 certificates are awarded by American community colleges.
8. State-of-the-art technology
Most American community colleges have state-of-the-art teaching technologies and instructional facilities. Traditional universities often focus on basic education and research, while community colleges focus not only on basic education, but also provide skill-based training and workforce development. Industry often has closer ties with community colleges, which forces their community college partners to have state-of-the-art technology.
9. Accredited colleges with quality programs
Most American community colleges are public colleges accredited by American college and university accreditation associations, so credits earned at community college are equivalent to traditional university credits.
10. Easy transfer to top universities
Although there is no guarantee of transferring into a particular university, many community colleges have articulation agreements with top universities. Most of the universities welcome international students that have graduated from community colleges. At North Seattle Community College, international students have transferred to the University of Washington, Seattle University, University of California - Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania and many other top universities.
Although the American community college system is still relatively new to other countries, more and more people have learned that community colleges are the best first step towards a quality American college education.
Mark Wen is Director of International Programs at North Seattle Community College, USA
|
|
|
|
