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Student Life

The services and personnel at a community college play important roles in creating a supportive learning environment. Academic assistance comes in the form of ESL programs; developmental courses in mathematics, reading, and writing; tutorial services; and academic advising. Student services include personal and career counselors, facilities for students with disabilities, and extracurricular activities. Cooperative education offices reach out to businesses in the community to locate training opportunities or internships for their students.

Importantly, institutions that have a history of educating international students will have special foreign student advisers. This may make a considerable difference to your experience at the college as such staff will have more experience dealing with the unique via, academic, cultural, and personal issues faced by international students studying in the United States.

Most two-year colleges do not offer student housing but often provide assistance through local housing groups. Students usually commute to campus and live in local communities. This experience is very different from living in student dormitories on a four-year college campus, and it gives international students a wonderful opportunity to develop independence and observe American life.

The Classroom Experience

Above all else, the success of community colleges rests in their classrooms. Their faculty members are renowned for being expert teachers who prefer interacting with students to conducting research or publishing articles. Also, the class sizes are often smaller, which means instructors can give each student personal attention.

Time for a Recap

Community colleges:

·         are an important part of the U.S. higher education system

·         offer high quality programs that prepare students for immediate employment

·         offer transfer associate degree programs that can lead to a bachelor’s degree.

·         are highly cost effective.

·         Provide a nurturing learning environment with committed instructors, smaller classes, and extensive support systems.

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