Visitors to last Monday’s openhouse were greeted by music, colorfulmulti-lingual welcome placardsand refreshments varyingfrom donut holes to Vietnamesebeef puffs. The InternationalStudent Programs event in OTC-3 on Feb. 12 welcomed students,their parents and instructors.
The open house was “anopportunity to thank the campuscommunity for supporting ourinternational students and for studentsto get to know what internationalprograms are available,”said Director Marilyn Cheung.
The department moved to itsnew location a few months ago.At the event, guests mingled withprogram faculty and staff, whilegathering brochures, pamphletsand handouts about services.
Currently, 1,200 internationalstudents attend De Anza College.Most of the international studentscome from Asian countriesincluding Hong Kong, SouthKorea and Japan. Popular majorsinclude business, liberal arts,nursing and accounting.
“Speaking to the counselorsfor education plans is really greatin helping the understanding,”said Amy Wong, student assistantto the program, who is planningto transfer to UCLA or UCSB.
In addition to one-on-onecounseling, the program providesother services to help internationalstudents.
“It offers multi-level level servicesfor international studentsall under one roof. They can takecare of student needs from admissionto graduation,” said SusanneChan, one of the three counselorsin the program.
Services for students includementoring, peer counseling,health insurance, immigrationadvising and orientation programs.Workshops on taxes,careers, and education planningare offered. Other major responsibilitiesinclude cross-culturalprogramming, international studentenrollment management,and foreign institution partnershipsand linkages.
“Our job here is provide asupport system for students whoare away from their homes,” saidCounselor Alicia Cortez.