Shoreline Stories

Friends of Shoreline Newsletter – March 2026

March 10, 2026

Hello Friends of Shoreline,

Here are some updates for this month!

🏫 Campus Updates

Recruitment Partner Dashboard: On March 3, we released our first Recruitment Partner Dashboard. You will be able to use the dashboard to view your contract status and agreement dates, monitor student application updates (including admissions decisions), and access helpful resources and important links for Shoreline.

ACE Scholars Program: We also just released the ACE Scholars Program, a 100% online selective opportunity for high-achieving high school students in grades 10–12 worldwide. This program allows students to begin their U.S. university education early by taking online classes at Shoreline College and strengthen their academic profile for admission to competitive universities. 👉 Learn more here.

Apply for Housing On-Campus: The application for our on-campus dormitory is open to students ages 16 and older for both spring and summer quarters. It is a safe and convenient housing option for international students at Shoreline College. 👉 Watch a video tour here.

🎓 Admissions Updates

Apply for Summer 2026: Summer Quarter begins on July 1, and orientation begins on June 22. Students can start classes in person or online. 👉 Apply here.

Apply for Scholarships: New students can apply for $500, $1,000, or $2,000 scholarships. They will receive a link to apply after receiving their acceptance letter to Shoreline. 👉 See the application here.

🇻🇳 Student Spotlight: Ghin from Vietnam

Ghin joined Shoreline in Spring 2025 and has been very active on campus. She studies design as a full-time student and works on campus as an International Student Ambassador, Graphic Designer, and Marketing Intern.

“I love studying at Shoreline because it has many design studio classes where I can actively work on projects and develop my skills. There are also many clubs on campus. I joined 4 clubs and even started my own design club called Pixel Club. It’s easy to create a club here if you have an idea and the motivation to build a community. Shoreline also offers great opportunities for on-campus jobs which allow me to gain real world work experience!”

🎉 Student Events

Lunar New Year Celebrations: Many of Shoreline’s 700 international students come from cultures that celebrate Lunar New Year which was on February 17 this year. Several student clubs hosted activities such as calligraphy, Mahjong, and a night market throughout the week to celebrate together!

The Masque Dance: On February 27, Shoreline hosted a Masque Dance inspired by the annual Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. Students decorated their own masks, dressed up, and had a fun evening together. We believe that studying hard and earning good grades are important, and joining campus events, making good friends, and creating memories that will last a lifetime are also important to student success!

🏆 Sports

Seahawks Superbowl Victory: It is an exciting year for sports in Seattle! On February 8, the Seattle Seahawks won their second Super Bowl since 1976, beating the New England Patriots and 30 other teams to become this year’s national champions. More than 1 million people, including our international students, came out on February 11 to meet the team and celebrate!

(Seattle will also host 6 FIFA World Cup matches from June 15–July 6, 2026!)

Have questions or comments? Write to us anytime at ieoutreach@shoreline.edu. We will be back with more updates next month!

Friends of Shoreline Newsletter – February 2026

February 9, 2026

Hello Friends of Shoreline,

Here’s what you need to know this month!

Campus Updates

Shoreline’s New Logo: In December, we asked our community to vote on Shoreline’s new logo. The results are now in! More than 1,250 people voted, and we are excited to share the winning design. You will start seeing the new logo used over the next few months. 👉 Read more here.

Welcome Bjorn to the Team: On January 19, we welcomed Bjorn Myhre as our new Associate Director of International Recruitment. With 20 years of experience, Bjorn is passionate about supporting international students and partners. Shoreline continues to invest in student success and the value of community colleges.

Photo of Bjorn Myhre, new Associate Director of International Recruitment

Residence Hall (Dormitory) Now Open to Students Ages 16+: Starting Spring 2026, students ages 16 and older can now live in our on-campus residence hall. It is a safe and convenient housing option for international students at Shoreline College. 👉 Watch a video tour here.

Winter University Transfer Fair: On January 29, Shoreline welcomed more than 60 universities to campus to meet our students. Students had the chance to talk with university staff, learn about different majors and student life, ask questions about transferring, and plan their next steps after Shoreline.

International Partnership Spotlight – Consulate of India: On January 9, Shoreline hosted a dinner and screening of the Bollywood movie “English-Vinglish” with the Consulate General Prakash Gupta of India and over 70 guests. “English-Vinglish” shows how learning English and studying abroad can build confidence and change lives.

New Support Center for Students: On January 14, Shoreline officially opened the yəhaw̓ Center for Student Empowerment (yCSE). yəhaw̓ (pronounced yuh-HOW) means “go forward” in a local indigenous language. The yCSE is a student support center that shows Shoreline’s strong commitment to student success. It offers space to study, make friends, and learn about different cultures.

Admissions Updates

New TOEFL iBT Score Scale: On January 21, TOEFL iBT introduced a new 1-6 score scale replacing the previous 0-120 scale. At Shoreline, an overall score of 3.5 with a 4.0 in writing will now place students into college-level classes. 👉 Read more here.

Apply for Spring 2026: Spring Quarter begins on April 1, and orientation starts on March 23. Students can start classes in person or online from their home country. 👉 Apply here.

Apply for Scholarships: Students can apply for $500, $1,000, or $2,000 scholarships after receiving their acceptance letter to Shoreline. 👉 See the application here.

New AI Chatbot to Support Students: We added a new AI chatbot to our website called Global DolphIE. It will better help students find information and answer basic questions about our college quickly, anytime, anywhere. 👉 Use it here.

Have questions? Reach out to us anytime at ieoutreach@shoreline.edu. We’ll be back with more updates next month!

Friends of Shoreline Newsletter – January 2026

January 9, 2026

Hello Friends of Shoreline,

A new year has begun, and we are happy to start 2026 together with you! How did you celebrate the New Year? Here is a look at how we celebrated in Seattle!

As we look forward, we want to share a few updates from our campus from the past month:

Campus Updates

New Students for Winter 2026: Shoreline College welcomes new international students 4 times a year, in the fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters. This Winter Quarter, we welcomed students from over 20 countries into our community, including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, and more!

Orientation (Dec. 29–Jan. 2) gave students the chance to learn about campus resources, meet with academic advisors to choose their classes and create study plans, connect with our Shoreline Police and Safety & Security departments, and even take selfies with our mascot, Dolphie the Dolphin!

United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Day: December 2 was UAE National Day, celebrating the unification of the 7 emirates in 1972. Our Khotwa scholarship students from the UAE helped bring this celebration to life at Shoreline! Together with friends and community members, they shared traditional food and coffee, poetry, trivia, music, and plenty of dancing, and yes, there was even some homemade Dubai chocolate. Moments like these remind us how our students shape campus life by bringing their cultures and stories with them.

Virtual Tour: In October, we shared our new virtual tour, which allows prospective students, their parents, and our partners like you to explore our campus and classrooms from anywhere in the world. Now we’re excited to let you know that the tour is officially posted on our website. 👉 Take a look here (and share it)!

Admissions Updates

Apply for Spring Quarter 2026: Spring Quarter begins on April 1, and orientation starts on March 23. There is no strict application deadline, but we recommend that students apply early if they want to join us in person. Students can also start classes online from their home country. So, students have a lot of flexibility at Shoreline! 👉 Apply here.

Apply for Scholarships: Students can apply for $500, $1,000, or $2,000 scholarships after receiving their acceptance letter to Shoreline. 👉 Take a look here.

Have questions or comments? Write to us anytime at ieoutreach@shoreline.edu. We’ll be back with more updates next month!

Friends of Shoreline Newsletter – December 2025

December 10, 2025

As the winter holiday season arrives and we look back on the past year, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your partnership, and for the opportunity to support you and the international students we all serve. We hope this season brings you rest, joy, and meaningful moments with the people you love!

Campus Updates

Vote for Shoreline’s New Logo: Shoreline College changed its name from Shoreline Community College earlier this year, and now it is time for us to choose a new logo. Our Communications & Marketing team has created 3 logo designs, and we invite you, as an important member of our community, to help us choose the new logo.

The winning design will be announced in the next couple of months. 👉 Vote here.

Fall Transfer Fair: One way we support our international students is by hosting a Transfer Fair twice a year. On November 6, we welcomed over 75 colleges and universities to campus, including Arizona State University, UC Davis, UC Irvine, the University of Washington, and many more from around the United States. Students were able to ask questions about the transfer process, learn about different majors and student life, and connect with university representatives who can guide them if they decide to apply. It was a great opportunity for students to plan for their future after Shoreline.

International Education Week: Every year for the past 25 years, international educators at colleges and universities across the United States, and around the world, have come together to celebrate International Education Week each November. It is a moment to “pause, recognize, and uplift the contributions, values, and impact of international education.”

This year, International Education Week was held from November 17-21. Students, staff, and faculty at Shoreline College enjoyed tea and coffee from around the world, played international board games, participated in sports like Zumba and badminton, and shared meaningful items from their cultures (such as photos and clothing).

Although it has been a challenging year for international education, this week was an important reminder of the value of global learning, and of the care and appreciation our campus communities have for international students!

Admissions Updates

Visa Delays? Apply Online for Winter 2026: It is not too late for students with visa delays to apply and begin their studies online for Winter Quarter. Orientation begins December 29, and classes start January 5. 👉 Apply here.

Airport Pickup for Winter 2026: It is also not too late for students coming in person to sign up for our airport pickup service on December 27! The deadline to apply is December 19, and the cost is $40. It is an easy and convenient way to get to campus! 👉 Sign up here.

Practice Visa Interviews: Is your student nervous about their upcoming visa interview? They can sign up for a free practice interview with Shoreline staff! We will share helpful tips and ask sample questions to help students feel confident and ready for their official interview. 👉 Schedule an interview here.

Shoreline’s Executive Leadership Visits the UAE

In early October, our President, Dr. Jack Kahn, and our Associate Vice President, Samira Pardanani, visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to meet with government officials, partners, alumni, students, parents, and counselors. Shoreline is currently hosting a number of students that receive fully funded government scholarships from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

It is an honor to have Shoreline College leadership traveling internationally to meet partners and continuing to show their support for international education!

Student Success Story: Abdulrahman

Originally from the Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman began studying at Shoreline in 2015 and graduated in 2017. He then returned to Saudi Arabia to begin his successful career in technology.

“I chose Shoreline College because it is in Seattle and its welcoming campus, which provided an ideal study environment. As an engineering major, I developed a strong foundation that has served me well. One of my fondest memories is cycling to class at 6am during Seattle’s enchanting fall fog. After graduation, I specialized in logistics and supply chain, and I currently hold the position of Country Manager for inDrive.com, the second most downloaded ride-hailing app in the world. My advice to future graduates is to cherish the amazing moments they make while studying, as they become invaluable memories.”

Have questions or comments? Write to us anytime at ieoutreach@shoreline.edu. We’ll be back with more updates next month!

Friends of Shoreline Newsletter – November 2025

November 7, 2025

Fall is here, and our campus is filled with beautiful autumn colors! We’re excited to share some photos and updates from our community with you.

Campus Updates

Bainbridge Island Trip: To take advantage of the lovely fall weather, we took about 40 international students to Bainbridge Island, one of the beautiful islands near Seattle. Students enjoyed the cozy downtown area, boutique shops, and a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound!

*A group of students posing on a ferry, with the Seattle skyline in the background*

Halloween Party: Halloween is one of our most exciting fall traditions, and on October 23, we hosted our annual Halloween Party! Students wore fun and spooky costumes, danced to lively music, took lots of photos, and joined a costume contest. It was a fun time!

Admissions Updates

Apply Now for Winter 2026: Orientation begins December 29, and classes start January 5. Students with visa delays can begin online with Shoreline Online Learning and then easily come to campus once they have their visas. 👉 Apply here.

Airport Pickup for Winter 2026: Students can join our airport pickup service on December 27 for $40. The deadline to apply is December 19. It’s an easy and convenient way to get to campus! 👉 Sign up here.

Practice Visa Interviews: Is your student nervous about their visa interview? They can sign up for a free practice interview with Shoreline staff! We’ll share helpful tips and ask sample questions to help students feel confident and ready for their official interview. 👉 Schedule an interview here.

Transfer Partner Spotlight

MyPath2ASU (Arizona State University): Did you know Shoreline students can complete their bachelor’s degree fully online through our partnership with Arizona State University (ASU)? This is a great option for students who want flexibility or face visa challenges. 👉 Learn more here.

Student Success Story: Sirine

*Sirine (left) poses with her friend at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony*

Sirine began studying at Shoreline in Winter 2023. She started in our English Language Learning Program and now studies Pre-Nursing while working on campus as an International Student Ambassador.

“Back home in Morocco, I often heard wonderful things about Shoreline and how it supports international students. After joining the Pre-Nursing program, I experienced that support myself. The small classes, helpful advisors, and welcoming community make a huge difference. I became an International Student Ambassador because I understand how it feels to be new in a different country and want to help others feel at home. One of my favorite memories so far is welcoming new students at the airport and seeing their excitement for the journey ahead.”

Have questions or comments? Write to us anytime at ieoutreach@shoreline.edu. We’ll be back with more updates next month!

Friends of Shoreline Newsletter – October 2025

October 9, 2025

Hello Friends of Shoreline!

There are many things happening in the world and on our campus right now. So, we want to keep you updated with a monthly newsletter. Each issue will share important information, events, and stories about our students.

As the new school year begins, we are excited to send you our first newsletter!

Campus Updates

New Name: We’ve changed from Shoreline Community College to Shoreline College! This new name reflects our growth and global vision, while keeping the Shoreline identity that students, alumni, and partners know and love. You may still see the old name until our full transition in 2026.
New Students: We welcomed 166 new international students from 20 countries, both in person and online this fall. Orientation (Sept 15-19) included meeting advisors to plan studies, learning I-20/F-1 rules, exploring campus resources, getting tips for life in the U.S., and joining fun activities like a tour of Seattle.

Groups of students attending Orientation.

Virtual Tour: You can now explore our campus and classrooms online from anywhere with our new virtual tour! (Our friends in China can use this link.)

Admissions Updates

Apply Now for Winter 2026: Orientation begins December 29, and classes start January 5. Students with visa delays can begin online with Shoreline Online Learning and then easily transfer to campus later.
More Scholarships: Students can now apply for $500, $1,000, or $2,000 scholarships after receiving their acceptance letter.

Student Success Story: Nanami

Transfer Spotlight: Originally from Japan, Nanami began in Shoreline’s English Language Program, then earned both her high school and associate’s degrees through our High School Completion Program. She also gained leadership skills as an Office Assistant and International Student Leader.

Nanami graduated from Shoreline in June 2025 and has transferred this fall to the University of California, Berkeley, one of the top universities in the U.S. — to study neuroscience — along with 11 other Shoreline students. We are so proud of her! Please share her story to inspire your students.

Have questions or comments? Write to us anytime at ieoutreach@shoreline.edu. We’ll be back with more updates next month!

Be well and be in peace,

The International Outreach Team

Note: A previous version of this newsletter included an incorrect number of transfer students to the University of California, Berkeley in 2025. This has been updated.

Kimchi Day at Shoreline!

October 2, 2023

On September 26, the Greater Seattle Korean Association, Korea Multicultural Association, and UNIHOPE jointly hosted a Kimchi Making and Bibimbap Tasting event at Shoreline Community College. We were very excited to welcome a master chef Jeong Ok Kim, as well as the president of the Korea Multicultural Association Won Yong Choi, from Korea for this event. The event was created in order to promote and popularize Korean food and culture.

*L to R: Yoo Han Seong, Jeong Ok Kim, President Jack Kahn, Chun Yeob Lee, Won Yong Choi, Hye Sun Hwang*

Over 30 Shoreline students and staff, including President Jack Kahn and Associate Vice President Samira Pardanani, attended the event. The master chef, Jeong Ok Kim, demonstrated the recipe for the red pepper paste that is traditionally applied to Napa cabbage. Then, attendees had the opportunity to make their very own kimchi!

*President Jack Kahn gets some help from Mr. Won Yong Choi to make kimchi, applying red pepper paste to Napa cabbage.*

Then, a bibimbap mixing ceremony was performed with several of the event organizers, Shoreline VIPs, and Shoreline students all getting to lend a hand to mixing a giant bowl of bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables and sauces).

After the mixing ceremony, attendees were invited to enjoy expertly made japchae (stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables), bulgogi (marinated grilled beef), purple rice, kimchi, and of course, the bibimbap! Students from over 10 different countries were in attendance, and all agreed that the food was delicious.

We are deeply appreciative that the Greater Seattle Korean Association, Korea Multicultural Association, and UNIHOPE brought this special event to Shoreline Community College. In addition, a very big thank-you to our very own Shoreline employee, Sookyoung Park, Associate Director of International Outreach and Marketing, for her hard work in setting up the event. Shoreline is committed to strengthening and supporting our many multicultural communities in the area. We were thrilled to host this event and hope to continue hosting more events like this in the coming years! Stay tuned for more!

Say “Hej” to Students from Denmark for IE’s Short-Term Program, Feb. 5-25!

February 7, 2023

The International Education Department is bringing back its first short-term program since 2020! From February 5-25, we are hosting a group of 23 high school students from Learnmark Gymnasium HHX & HTX in Horsens, Denmark, who are doing a Globalization-themed short-term program.

*Students from Horsens, Denmark join International Education staff for a Welcome Session on February 6.*

ESL faculty Jackie Sheppard and Lauren Wilson are leading two sets of workshop sessions, and IE staff will be taking students on different field trips to explore the Greater Seattle area. Their first stop was downtown Seattle and Pike Place Market on February 6! Other stops will include Microsoft, MoPop, University of Washington, and more.

*The Danish students enjoy exploring Pike Place Market!*

We’re very excited to be able to host the Learnmark students on campus! Short-term programs are a wonderful way for students around the world to learn more about Shoreline and the United States. If you see these students on campus, please feel free to say “hej” (pronounced just like our own “hi”) and welcome them!

Meet Our Exchange Student from Germany, Robert Konen!

October 6, 2022

Hi, my name is Robert Konen and I am an exchange student from Germany. I lived there with my family in a small town called Papenburg. This is in the northwest of Germany, near Hamburg. Now I live with a host-family in Woodinville, WA for one year!

Currently, I am a scholarship holder of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program for young professionals (CBYX). This is an exchange program between Germany and the United States and enables 75 young professionals to take part in an international exchange every year.

I chose CBYX because it is the best program for my personal goals. For me it was important to improve my English skills and to get to know the American life and the differences to Germany. I am also looking forward to meeting many new people here and having a great time.

*Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA*

About me:

In my free time I love to play soccer, cycling, and hang out with my friends.

What I like the most about Seattle so far:

All people are so friendly, helpful, and just great! I like the nature with the water and all the forests. And there are many big sport teams I want to watch like football, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey.

Places I have visited in the U.S.:

Ferry to Bainbridge Island with the International Education Department at Shoreline (photo above)
Road Trip to California with Other CBYX Students (photo right)

Hope to meet you at Shoreline during Fall 2022 Quarter!

Student Stories: Volunteering and Other Remote Experiences

March 4, 2021

Today we’re hearing from two Vietnamese students who have recently volunteered and gotten involved on campus (remotely) with other activities! Make sure to check out the @shoreline_international Instagram for more ideas on how to Engage and Achieve!

My name is Nguyen Xuan Thien Thanh. I am an international student from Vietnam. I have been in the U.S. for 4 years. I attended my high school junior year in Spokane, Washington. I love dancing so it would not be surprising that I was a member of the school’s dance team. Then I moved to Michigan to complete my last year of high school. I was a volunteer for FIRST robotic championship for Michigan state with my host mom, who was also one of the head coaches of the team. After that, I chose Shoreline Community College to be my next stop in my education path. My first year at Shoreline was full of happiness and surprises from my friends, as well as some challenges of course. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, I had to start my second year with online courses. I have less opportunities to interact with people face to face and spend most of the time in my room. My home country was locked down as well. During the quarantine time at home, I searched online looking for different virtual volunteering opportunities. I really want to help some people while I can spend more personal time now with volunteering.

As a result, I signed up to volunteer at ReWA (Refugee Women’s Alliance). My assigned task was to help people who speak Vietnamese register and vote in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. We confirmed with the ReWA staff if we are eligible to help as international students before receiving the training to offer translation assistance and direct the community members on different helpful website for voting information. Moreover, we would answer their phone calls as well as messages to help them in the voting process. This experience was both fun and meaningful. I had a chance to connect with the local Vietnamese community as well as learning about the democracy and voting in the U.S. I helped about 40 people during October and early November.

Next, I look forward to volunteering for the Global Showcase, which is an annual cultural event organized by International Student Leaders at Shoreline Community College. Even though it will be a virtual event in spring, it would still be a great opportunity for Vietnamese students work together on promoting our language and culture. I’m excited to attend and participate in Global Showcase. Not only campus community can check out our work, we will get to share with more people globally in the current online environment.

Hello! My name is Vo Dang Long and I go by Jack. I have been in the U.S. for 3 years, and this is my second year at Shoreline. I was an exchange student in Cleveland, Oklahoma during my first year in the U.S. During my high school exchange year, I joined an organization named Business Professional of America. This organization helps students build their leadership skills and promote many events bring contributions back to the community. I participated in many volunteering activities, such as helping sell food at the town food bank and holding activities at Special Oklahoma Olympic both winter and summer games.

Coming to Shoreline has been a great experience for me! The time of living in the Residence Hall on campus helped shape my personality better. I was able to get involved in more events with the convenient access as living on campus and more activities held by Resident Assistants. I made a lot of new friends during my first quarter at Shoreline. While everyone’s life has been different since mid-March when the pandemic hit globally. I am grateful that we still have good access to online learning and interacting with others online in order to stay safe and health. To keep myself staying active and engaged, I have tried to find more opportunities, like applying on-campus jobs and volunteering online. I applied for the ASG (Associated Student Government) as well as the ISA (International Student Ambassador). I hope I can get to learn more and help others at the same time.

In October, 2020, I signed up to volunteer at an organization called ReWA (Refugee Women’s Alliance). It is an organization created to help communities such as providing 10 wrap-around social services for every member of the family, from infant to senior in which they delivered in over 50 languages and dialects, are designed to make a long-lasting impact in others and help them thrive in the Puget Sound community.

My position was to help people in the Vietnamese-American community in the voting process of the presidential election in November. I needed to spend at least 2-3 hour a week to answer phone calls and messages to direct people to the right place with explanation of what they need to do in Vietnamese. Sometimes I would feel overwhelmed with time management as taking four classes, preparing for university transfer applications, working as an ISA, spending time online with families and friends, plus volunteering! It was definitely challenging when I had 3-4 exams and labs during some weeks while volunteering. When I now look back the total amount of volunteering hours that I kept track of, I feel proud for this accomplishment of myself. I definitely think I made a good choice to volunteer even though my schedule was already a little busy. I got to step out of my comfort zone, challenge myself to reach higher, improve my time management skill, and I really enjoy learning new things!