Have you ever traveled to another country, spoken a different language, eaten a cuisine that you’ve never tasted, or danced to music with a unique rhythm?
Each year hundreds of students travel to Utah to attend Salt Lake Community College. Among many other reasons, they enter the U.S. to learn its diverse culture. In return, their presence creates opportunities for SLCC students, faculty and staff to broaden their knowledge and experience of today’s global environment.
In the Fall Semester of 2015, SLCC will serve almost 400 international students from 60 countries on its campuses. SLCC welcomes international students seeking a rewarding educational experience in the United States.
The International Student Services office envisions an environment for International and U.S. students to become globally competent.
We at SLCC believe that community colleges, more so than any other postsecondary institutions, require an international dimension. Through education and co-curricular experiences, International Student Services supports a crucial dimension of global exposure to the general student population, as well as to the faculty and staff.
There are many benefits to having international students on our campuses and in our classrooms.
The global perspective international students bring to our college is critical to the education of all students. Ninety-four percent of SLCC students are Utah residents. We recognize that students who grow up in one locale tend to have a singular vision about the world and, more critically, about the curriculum studied in class.
International students bring an entirely different background and thinking to the classroom. The opinions shared by international students in and outside the classroom greatly enhance the education of all students. Hearing differing opinions provides unique learning opportunities that prepare all students to enter the global workforce.
If there is one thing to be said about college, it is that it is a place to expand your horizons. And what better way to expand your horizons than with people from beyond the horizon itself?
Our campus is a window to the world as our students learn understanding from their international friendships. Realizing how rapidly we are becoming a true global village due to technological advances, students can develop friendships around the world.
In the workplace, businesswomen and men are making transactions in many languages. Political leaders need to know much more about the cultures and customs of the countries with which they maintain trade and diplomatic relations.
All of this is possible through education. The future belongs to those who truly undertake a mission of teaching the positive values of international relations, international trade and intercultural communication.
The need for increased international and intercultural understanding has never been greater.
All members of the College community are invited to get involved in international education. Opening your home to host an international student provides opportunities for students to adjust and learn about U.S. culture while helping to prepare American students to live and work in a global environment.
If you are interested in getting involved you can host an international student for a day or a weekend activity, or for a holiday celebration. You can take an international student on a tour of the city, shop at a yard sale, buy a car, go to the museum or library, volunteer at the community garden or food bank, and more.
What’s your hobby? Share your expertise. Share your life. Share an adventure!
For more information about the international students at SLCC, or how you can get involved, visit us at www.slcc.edu/iss.
