International students are getting excited as graduation day comes closer. For international students it is a big day. The event will take place at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus Lifetime Activities Center on Friday, May 7, 2010 starting at 10 a.m. Like any other student we all have the same feeling of relief. The efforts and hard work from countless hours of study will finally be rewarded. But still, it is not a relief after all because we have to seek a profession and harness our potential to develop a career.
“I am very exited and eager for new challenges. After this accomplishment, I look forward to a bright future while I express my gratitude to the whole SLCC staff and faculty,” says Aristide Loua. Loua also feels the palpable excitement since he will attend the commencement ceremony. He will receive AS degree in the very demanding field of Mathematics. “The quality of learning enables us to stimulate our minds and hope achieve more than the level of expected.”
Salt Lake Community College allows international students to open new doors of opportunities since the college attracts international students from very diverse regions of the world. “All international students attending the school originate from 80 different countries,” says Kari Wiborg the international students admissions coordinator.
Following graduation, most students opt to transfer into 4-years universities to pursue bachelor degrees in their field of expertise. While a few delay the process by applying for a granted authorization to engage in temporary employment for optional practical training. A student may apply to the Service for authorization for temporary employment for optional practical training directly related to the student’s major. This is valuable option to some in accordance of having financial security and experience in the professional environment before continuing their education. “I did improve my English to the fact that I once wished to go back to Brazil and be able to teach the language,” says Elizette Bond, who has worked on behalf of all international students by providing useful information and guidance along the way. Elizette Bond has been a student in SLCC and now she is an International Student Advisor. She thinks that SLCC is a good establishment for international student since the school offers small classes allowing students and teachers to a better connection. She also acknowledges the fact that the international student office is really friendly and anyone is welcome to come and find information on the different cultures.
Nancy Fillat, Director of the International Student Office, said that she is really exited to have new students coming every semester to attend SLCC from everywhere. “It is a very interesting and enriching experience to learn about new cultures as they begin with the ESL (English as a Second Language) program and then to see them with a degree.”