Author: weareshoreline

Student Blog Post: Tio “Aimee” Runtukahu, Indonesia

November 4, 2020

The following blog post was written by Tio “Aimee” Runtukahu, a current student from Indonesia who is a student worker in International Education. Read on to learn more about her time at Shoreline and her experience as a student worker!

Aimee is a student office assistant in International Education (IE).

I started working in the International Education (IE) Department in the Summer of 2020 as a student assistant to fellow international students. My position tasked me to help with the front desk during Express Advising. Moreover, creating small events and reaching out to new students during orientations. Since starting my position in IE, the campus has been fully online due to the pandemic. However, despite this, I am very grateful to have the chance to work in the office as it had allowed me to interact with many people daily.

My current project is creating an engaging short video for Shoreline students. Since we have been fully online, many international students have not met some of the current staff and student workers for so long. From my experience of going to Shoreline during its face-to-face operation from Fall 2019 to partial Winter 2020, the campus has had a very welcoming environment where everyone was so nice and friendly. Given that we no longer have the luxury to go to campus every day and meet with one another, having a video with lots of new and familiar faces would invite all current international students to keep on being engaged with the school. Hope you will enjoy this video!

Being a student at Shoreline is a very adventurous and exciting experience for me, and I believe for many of my other peers as well. The campus provides all students with the equal opportunity to gain more experiences. I took some of these opportunities to volunteer and work on campus and one of which is being a student assistant in the IE Department. What I love about working in the IE Department is how I got to keep on meeting new students and friends during the pandemic through working on campus before and now remotely. Moreover, I also got a lot of chances to show my creativity by hosting small online events for the college, like the Instagram Cooking Competition during the Summer!

It’s true that juggling a job while being a full-time student is challenging, and what makes working for Shoreline so enjoyable is the fact how everyone is so understanding and professional. Another thing that I would cherish from working in the IE Department is how I got to learn so much from everyone to be a part of a professional team and be more organized with my schedules and responsibilities.

Wanting to pursue my studies at Shoreline Community College meant that I had to leave my hometown Balikpapan, Indonesia to Seattle. It was not an easy experience to go through, however, meeting so many incredible fellow international students as well as American students had kept me away from feeling homesick. Aside from other Shoreline students, I had also found all the staff members, teachers, and other workers to be super kind and helpful. This welcoming and supportive environment has made me fall in love with Shoreline and made me very proud to be a part of it. Thus, as a current student worker, I am hoping to create that same atmosphere and environment for other international students!

  • First Winter at Shoreline
    First Winter at Shoreline
  • "College Dogs": a stress-relief event before finals
    “College Dogs”: a stress-relief event before finals
  • Foods cooked during lockdown
    Foods cooked during lockdown
Here are some of Aimee’s photos from her time here at Shoreline!

Thank you, Aimee, for your hard work as an International Education Office Assistant! We are excited to see your video project when it is complete.

Halloween at Shoreline!

October 23, 2020

Halloween is right around the corner! It’s celebrated every year on October 31. Did you know that the origins of Halloween date all the way back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain? During the festival, people would “light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.”

Today, Americans celebrate Halloween in many ways, such as carving pumpkins, visiting haunted houses, or watching scary movies. One major tradition is trick-or-treating, most popular among children and families. You wear a costume and walk around your neighborhood, knocking on neighbors’ doors. When someone opens the door, you say, “Trick or treat!” The neighbor will give you a treat (usually candy) in order to avoid a trick.

At Shoreline, the International Student Leaders traditionally hold an annual Halloween Party on campus. Students can wear costumes and join some fun activities, such as playing Halloween games or learning about other cultures’ scary traditions. Check out these pictures from last year’s event:

  • A traditional and silly game - wrap your teammate completely with toilet paper so that they become a mummy!
    A traditional and silly game – wrap your teammate completely with toilet paper so that they become a mummy!
  • We got to see displays of ghost stories from around the world!
    We got to see displays of ghost stories from around the world!
  • Students shared scary myths and ghost stories from their culture
    Students shared scary myths and ghost stories from their culture
  • Students wore great costumes to last year's Halloween Party!
    Students wore great costumes to last year’s Halloween Party!
.

Missing the Halloween Party this year? Celebrate Halloween with us virtually!

Join us for a costume contest or pumpkin carving contest: Take a photo of your creative costume or pumpkin carving (virtual and drawn pumpkins are welcome) and submit it here by October 27. Submissions will be posted on social media for open voting until November 1, and we’ll announce winners on November 2. 

Finally, join the ISLs for a live Zoom Halloween celebration on Thursday, October 29! Costumes are encouraged. We’ll have activities like sharing ghost stories, playing scary (or less-scary) games, and more. Join us on Thursday between 8:00-9:00 on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87897254464

Have a safe and fun Halloween, no matter how you decide to celebrate!

Online Learning Tips

October 16, 2020

We’re a few weeks into Fall Quarter! Some students are in their third quarter of online learning, and our new students may be starting their first quarter of online learning. No matter how much or how little experience you have with taking your classes online, there are always new tips and tricks that can help you make the most of your learning experience. Check out these tips from some of our International Student Leaders (ISLs)!

Asking For Help:

  • “If you have any concerns or problems with studying class materials or reading stuff, remember that you can always find help directly from your instructors, friends, or school services (library, learning centers, online tutoring, etc.). Just emailing, finding them when you need it, you can get help as soon as possible. Don’t delay!” – Kate
  • “Go to the teacher’s office hour frequently! It is definitely one of the best ways to get in touch with the professors and ask questions directly during the online learning period.” – Bosco

To-Do Lists and Planning Ahead:

  • “Before my day ends, I like to make myself a ‘What should I do tomorrow?’ planner. I would list the bunch of assignments that are due in one up to five calendar days and also specify how long I would spend my time working on that particular task.” – Cheryl
  • “At the beginning of the week or day (your choice!), spend some time to think about what you hope to accomplish each day and estimate how long it will take to complete each task. Try to balance out the workload into a course of five to seven days, and reflect on how well your time was spent each day.” – Sophia
  • “With online classes, there might be more homework and assignments than face-to-face classes since there is a lot of stuff that you have to read on your own and learn. My tip for you is that you need a plan properly about what thing is important and among a lot of work, which ones should be done first.“ – Kate
  • “Setting a clear goal can help you stay motivated and avoid procrastination. Your goals should be specific and easy to measure, such as ‘I will watch the first three videos under week 4 in the module and complete the rough draft for my research paper.'” – Sophia

Learning Style and Environment:

  • Find a space at home that is quiet and away from distractions. Though we may be tempted to study/do our homework on our bed, in front of the TV, or near the kitchen, these are not the ideal place for studying. Also, always try to keep your desk as clean as possible to eliminate further distractions. Your study space should have enough lighting and a chair that you are comfortable sitting in. – Sophia
  • “As for me, I love love love to start early. Let’s take one example of my weekly assignment for this quarter, CS 141 long assignment, which is due every Sunday. Background story, I’m just not good at coding and stuff, but I like to do this homework by Tuesday so that I can ask my friend to help me in case I miss something or if my program doesn’t work. I would finish my task by Thursday to ask for my instructor’s feedback, and she would generously help me and return her feedback in less than one day. By then, I would receive a rough look at my assignment’s grading scheme, which I would then improve for the better. In the end, I would finalize my code by Friday and still have two more bonus days in case something goes wrong.” – Cheryl
  • “Which one is you, early-bird or night-owl? You feel good about studying at what time, morning, afternoon, or evening? Which time do you think is your best time for memorizing things? And of course, which time your brain may work less efficiently?” – Kate

Do you have your own ideas and advice for others? Leave them in the comments below! Good luck everyone and remember, we are here to help! Have a great Fall Quarter!

Message from President Roberts: In Support of International Students Taking Online Classes

July 9, 2020

Dear All,

On July 6, the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) announced new plans to prevent international students at colleges operating online in fall quarter (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) from taking a full online course load and remain in the United States. 

This announcement is both senseless and cruel, causing undue anxiety, stress, and fear for our Shoreline international students and families in the midst of a global pandemic. Students must be granted the flexibility to live and study in the location that best supports their health and safety. 

While this rule change is not yet final, Shoreline Community College, along with our Board of Trustees, unequivocally condemns this change. Campus leadership is working closely with the International Education department and is actively reaching out to elected officials, professional organizations, and other colleges and universities to obtain more information and devise solutions to ensure all of our students are able to continue their studies in the fall, safely and without interruption. 

Please know the College is committed to finding ways to support our international students. Our community cares deeply and stands with our international students, many of whom have made great sacrifices to study in this country and chose Shoreline because of the tremendous support we provide throughout their educational experience. Any student who may be in need of emotional support during this uncertain time are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling Center (206-546-4594) for assistance. 

The Executive Team, along with staff in the International Education department, will continue to update the campus community as more information becomes available. Do keep our international students and their families in your thoughts. I know as a College, we will do what we always do: come alongside our students with support and care. 

Wishing you continued health and well-being,

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President
Office of the President

From the Office of the President: Response to SEVP & F-1 Modifications for Fall

July 8, 2020

Dear Students,

The Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) announced Monday that students at colleges that are going to be fully online in fall quarter (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) will not be able to stay in the U.S., but would need to take online coursework from overseas.

For those Shoreline international students who are already taking courses from overseas, our understanding is that this change will not affect you. For students who are still in the U.S., we understand that this news might be causing you and your families stress. It is important to know that these modifications have not been published to the Federal Register, and are not yet final. It is also not clear how these modifications will be implemented.

I am working closely with our International Education Department, campus leadership, professional organizations, colleges and universities in the state and across the country to get further information and to come up with solutions to make sure that our students are able to continue to pursue their academic goals while remaining safe and healthy. We will also be exploring options to work with our congressional representatives and other state officials to advocate on behalf of our students.

An update to this message will be sent on Friday, July 10th from Samira Pardanani, Executive Director of International Programs. Please watch your Shoreline email and Shoreline social media accounts for that message.

Please know that Shoreline Community College supports and cares about all of you.

Wishing you continued good health and well-being,

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President

Medical Insurance

June 1, 2017

Medical care in the U.S. is very expensive!  Therefore, as an international student (F-1 visa), you are REQUIRED to have health insurance during your studies at Shoreline Community College.  In order to ensure adequate coverage, you MUST purchase this insurance through the College.

 Shoreline Community College Requirements

If you are purchasing medical insurance through Shoreline Community College:

  • The college contracts with Firebird International Insurance, which is provided by Summit America.  The cost of the Firebird International Insurance plan is US$366 per quarter.  Coverage is also available for your child(ren) and/or spouse during your studies.

  • You will purchase the insurance plan when you register for classes each quarter and pay the premium along with your tuition.

  • You are required to attend the Health Care session with a Firebird International Insurance representative during ISOP (new student orientation) and will receive the insurance policy and ID card.

  • Maximum benefit of U.S. $250,000 per illness or injury

  • Coverage anywhere in the world including your home country only in the event of an emergency.

  • Medical evacuation back to your home country – maximum benefit of up to $50,000

  • Repatriation of remains – maximum benefit of up to $50,000

To view complete coverage and policy details, please visit the Firebird International Insurance website www.fiig-insurance.com.

 

health-insurance

Orientation

June 1, 2017

International Student Orientation

ORIENTATION BEGINS ON March 26 at 8:00AM!

Orientation is very important for your success. Attendance is mandatory.  We recommend arriving at least two days before orientation begins. This will give you time to recover from a long trip and start your college career feeling good!

During orientation, you will:

• take Math and English placement tests

• receive academic advising and register for classes

• have seminars to help you adjust to living and studying in the USA

• meet the entire International Education (IE) staff

• take a campus tour

• take a Seattle tour

Orientation will be informative and fun!  You will make new friends while discovering all that Shoreline Community College has to offer.

**SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. Remember to bring your passport and I-20 document, U.S. address/phone # information (host family or apartment), medical insurance information (if you already have one from your country), $20 in cash for the math placement test.

2.  If you have taken an English assessment test in the last 2 years and received a high score you may be eligible to enroll directly into college-level English or be placed in advanced English language courses: English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Learn more at our website! *You MUST submit ORIGINAL scores to us 7 days prior to orientation!

3. You will pay tuition and fees AFTER you register for classes.  Payment due is within 5 business days of registering or the first day of the quarter, whichever comes first.

4. Payment methods: At the Cashier—credit card (Mastercard or Visa), traveler’s checks, personal checks or cash.  Online payment by credit card or payment by phone is also available. (You’ll learn more details at orientation.)

6. If for some reason, you are not going to be able to come to Shoreline Community College as planned, it is VERY IMPORTANT for you to let us know at international@shoreline.edu BEFORE orientation begins. We need to make the necessary changes on your SEVIS record based on immigration regulations.

We look forward to welcoming you to Seattle and our beautiful campus!

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

 

 

Japanese Cultural Festival at Shoreline!

October 6, 2015

Did you come to the Japanese Culture Festival earlier today? It was held on the quiet dining room in PUB Building. The festival was sponsored by HTC program from Shoreline Community College and they held it for free.

1

There were so many games at the festival. One of the game was Ken Dama, it is a hard but very addicting game. The game works by throwing the tied ball up and catch on the correct spot in the equipment. You need patience and balance to do the game. Another game is chopstick game, do you know that it can be really hard for some people to use chopsticks? Japanese people use chopsticks all the time and they are very good.

6

2

They have a wishing tree where we can write our wishes on a piece of paper and put it on the branches. It believed that our wishes will come true.

3

The students were also wearing kimono. Kimono is the traditional dress in Japan. They also provided us kimonos to try on and take picture with.

4

They also taught people on folding origami paper to make shapes, such as birds, medals and flowers. And you can bring your folded origami home.

5

7

Party Like It’s 1965!

September 29, 2015

Did you go to the party on September 25th, 2015? The party was held to celebrate Shoreline’s 50th anniversary, so we partied like it’s 1965!

The party was an open invitation, so everyone can come. Foods were provided for everyone who come, for free! They had pig in a blanket, root beer float, salad, and many more!

21696460766_5020da4c79_z

A lot of people dressed up in 1960s style including our President, Dr. Cheryl Roberts, and there was a little Best-Dressed competition.

21534694928_5c217c5aaf_z

They also provided free photo booth with many accessories to cherish the memories.

21731860031_f5e45b8f12_z

The British Export and The Beatniks were the main show. The British Export dressed exactly like The Beatles and they sang The Beatles’ songs. People were dancing and having a lot of fun. And not forgetting The Beatniks, they played old songs and people were singing. Even at the end of their show, people were screaming “One more song! One more song!” So they did sang another song for us. People just had so much fun in the party!

21696083396_888ddfbff2_z

“From Peril to Hope: Migration and Refugees” – NIEA Fall Workshop at Shoreline Community College!

September 17, 2015

Capture

Every year, NIEA (Northwest International Education Association) sponsors a one-day conference for college faculty and staff to learn about current global issues and world events.  The theme of the conference builds on the Community College Master Teacher Institute organized by the Center for Global Studies of UW Jackson School of International Studies.

This year, the fall workshop theme is “From Peril to Hope: Migration and Refugees”. It will be held at Shoreline Community College on October 23rd, 2015.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Develop a deepened understanding of human migration, refugee and immigration issues.
  • Learn innovate approaches for integrating above themes into curricula and campus.
  • Hear reports from the 2015 Community College Master Teaching Institute.
  • Learn how faculty in different fields are utilizing NIEA mini grants to internationalize curriculum, and how you can apply for a mini-grant to infuse global perspectives into your courses.
  • Explore options for studying abroad, related experiences, and best practices.
  • Engage in lively discussions with colleagues from diverse disciplines across Washington state, and share innovative approaches to incorporate above themes into curricula and campus.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

“Safe Haven in the Storm?: Understanding the European Immigration Crisis”

Dr. David Fenner, Affiliate Faculty at the Jackson School of International Studies.

At a time of unprecedented mass migration from the countries of the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe – and the expanding humanitarian crisis as desperate migrants seek any means possible to reach Western Europe, we shall explore the historical, political and economic roots of human migration in general and these unfolding human events in particular.  In addition, participants will learn about a number of web-based tools designed specifically with student research projects in mind.

SESSIONS AT A GLANCE

What’s Old is New Again:  The Recurring and Elusive History of Washington as An Immigrant Border State.

Session Presenter: Valerie F. Hunt. faculty member in the bachelor’s degree program of Applied Behavioral Science at Seattle Central College.

In order to teach and develop curricula about immigrant and refugee issues, it is important to understand some of the structural, historical, political, and social contexts of immigration in general, and Washington State in particular. In this workshop, participants will examine Washington’s history as a border state and what it means to be a border state, especially compared to other U.S. border states.

We will also review key dimensions of immigration—labor market forces, state/society relationships, human and civil rights—and how these dimensions inform our perceptions and practices about issues such illegal immigration,  “anchor babies,” job and education funding competition between native-born and immigrant workers, and national identity. The workshop will provide participants with leading-edge, state-of-the-discipline concepts, themes, and language to use when developing their own immigration-focused curricula.

Additional Sessions:

  • Cultural Influences and Contributions of Immigrants
  • 2015 Community College Master Teaching Institute on Immigration and Refugees: Content and teaching applications.
  • Immigrants, refugees and undocumented students: Highlighting experiences and diversity on campus, in the classroom, and community.
  • Teaching Abroad: Best Practices and Options for Teaching Abroad
  • Integrating Global Perspectives into Teaching through NIEA mini grants.

The Workshop is especially significant in light of current conditions, and is sponsored by Northwest International Education Association (NIEA) and Center for Global Studies at University of Washington.  Registration is via the NIEA website www.nieawa.org, then send payment to Heather F. Lukashin as indicated on the form.