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Santiago Canyon College’s international program supports students from 26 countries

July 29, 2024

Students in SCC’s International Students Program come from 26 countries from around the world, including China, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Ski Lanka, France, Mexico and Colombia. As the 2024 fall semester nears, enrollment is inching toward last fall’s high of 101 students.

The number of international students has been growing steadily each year since the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s director, Jetza Torres, said. “We’re doing very, very well in our program.”

Santiago Canyon College has a reputation in the U.S. and abroad for its high-quality academic programs and student support services, Torres explained. In May, she accepted an Export Achievement Certificate from the Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The certificate recognizes businesses and educational institutions for their work with overseas markets.

The program recently was presented with a commendation from Rep. Young Kim, who represents California’s 40th congressional district.

Students in foreign countries learn about SCC from their high school counselors, recruiters, educational agencies or friends and family.

They’re attracted to SCC by the student-centered approach, personalized attention and its safe and welcoming environment, Torres said. They also appreciate the small class sizes where they won’t get lost. “Most of our international students come from private high schools where they are accustomed to classrooms with fewer students,” she said.

Business administration is a popular program among international students as are the many STEM programs, she points out.

The college accepts international students three times a year. “We have three intakes—we accept students in fall, spring and summer,” she said, explaining that this is to accommodate the high school calendars in foreign countries. “Our work at the international office never stops because we are recruiting, we are accepting applications, reviewing applications and issuing those admissions letters all year round.”

Jetza Torres received an Export Achievement Certificate from the Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce in recognition of SCC’s International Students Program. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, contributing photographer)

One recent SCC graduate, Muhammad Shahmir Shamim, 21, who was born in Pakistan and grew up in Saudi Arabia, had already enrolled in another U.S. college when he visited SCC at the invitation of a friend. He was immediately impressed with the friendliness of everyone he met on campus. He was even invited to sit in on a class he was interested in.

“Although they were full, they included me in the class,” he said. “And it was really, really welcoming.” He filled out all the paperwork as soon as he could and began attending SCC.

He encouraged his younger brother, Muhammad Shahwar Shamim, to also come to SCC. It wasn’t hard to convince him.

“First, I’m already there, so I knew the atmosphere,” said Shamim of his brother’s decision to join him. “Second, because of how helpful everyone is at Santiago Canyon College — not just international students, but everyone.”

Muhammad Shahmir studied computer science and will be transferring to UC Irvine. His younger brother worked hard so that he could graduate at the same time. He, too, studied computer science and is transferring to Cal State Fullerton.

The brothers credit their parents, both engineers and college professors in Saudi Arabia, for instilling in them the drive to get an education. Studying so far from home, they appreciate the support SCC provides.

The International Students program hosted students from 26 countries all over the world, and the number continues to grow. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, contributing photographer)

“The international student program office takes pride in offering exceptional customer service in college experience to ensure a student’s success,” said Torres, admitting that her business background causes her to express the success in business terms. She has worked in international business and education for more than 20 years. “The program helps them integrate into the campus socially and academically so they can transfer to a four-year college. Our students are our priority,” she said.

Looking back on their years at SCC, the Shamim brothers happily recalled the many social activities organized by SCC’s International Student Program, such as outings to baseball games and Universal Studios. During exams, students were taken to the beach to enjoy pizza and a bonfire to give them a break from the stress of studying.

International students bring a meaningful dimension to campus life, Torres said. “There is no doubt that hosting international students has many advantages for any U.S. education institution,” she said. “It promotes global citizens, promotes intercultural understanding and enhances that diversity of perspective in class discussions. We can all benefit from that.”

Whether in the classroom or outside, meeting students from other countries broadens the view of American students. “Just interacting with international students from different backgrounds enables all students to form new perspectives and perhaps see the world in a different way,” Torres said. “Bringing people from around the world into campus is a great way to learn about the experiences of others and allow us to be more understanding and respectful of those differences. So, international students promote cultural awareness and enhance that diversity of perspective in class discussions.”

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Santiago Canyon College’s international program supports students from 26 countries

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