By Patrick McCready
Past the lockers on the north side of the Pirate Union Building, there is an office that handles everything relating to the numerous international students on the Peninsula College campus.
Sophia Ilakis-Doherty, director of International Student Programs, said in an email, “All international education professionals understand that our job is not a 9-5 commitment but a commitment to the holistic well-being of each and every student we enroll to study in the U.S.” International students use the office as a source to meet their needs. “Our International Student and Faculty Service office is a place students can come for help. They are often here, sometimes just to visit,” Valerie Conroy, International Student adviser, said. “We help them with academic and home-stay issues, and find appropriate resources for health, counseling, or other needs.”
Anson Yiu, a two-year international student, said that the only barriers for him were the pronouns and the slang terms that came with the English language. Anson said that when he went back to Hong Kong he forgot how to write Cantonese, which is his first language.
“They usually seem to be excited to be here. They like our beautiful campus and the personal attention they get being on a smaller-sized campus. They enjoy meeting other students,” Conroy said. International students rely on PC for various services. “We are a full-service program which operates to meet all needs for our students. If we didn’t operate under that ethos, we would have a very difficult challenge attracting students away from the I-5 corridor. We’re fortunate to be situated in a naturally beautiful and safe environment and to have the support and care of exceptional faculty and colleagues on campus,” Doherty said.
Transitioning for international students is sometimes the most difficult thing. “Some students have difficulty adjusting to living in a small town, or in a very different household, eating different food, speaking a new language, being away from their families and friends,” Conroy said.
International students leave each year for various reasons. “Each year about 50-60 students graduate, transfer, or return home,” Conroy said. “Most students leave because they have graduated. Some return home for financial or other reasons. A few transfer early because they may need programs or coursework PC doesn’t offer. A few transfer early because they prefer to live in a city environment.”
According to the Institute of International Education as many as 819,644 international students study at various campuses around the United States and make up for four percent of the United States total higher educated population.