Meet International Peer Mentors 2012-13

The International Peer Mentors (IPMs) are current international students who are here to welcome and introduce you to the vibrant campus life of Shoreline Community College. You’ll see them at Orientation, other special events, and usually whenever you visit the International Education office.

Vimol Mok – Cambodia

Welcome to Shoreline! My name is Vimol, and I’m very excited to be an International Peer Mentor this year! I know you are very excited about coming to explore a new world. Shoreline Community College has a variety of programs and resources that have been helping me to achieve my academic goals of Associate in Sciences. My professors are very supportive in assisting me to build my fundamental skills in American education. Shortly after I arrived here, I realized that there were many activities I could be involved in. During my first quarter, I joined clubs and participated in many enjoyable events that Shoreline offered. These activities helped me to learn about my fellow students and the surrounding community. I like how Shoreline has many friendly students from different countries which given me opportunity for me to learn about global education as well as cultural differences. You will explore and experience many things here, since we have numerous extra-curricular activities on campus to help you to feel connected. I would love to have you as a part of our Shoreline family. Please stop by and ask me any questions you might have. We hope to see you soon!

Davin Utama – Indonesia

Hello everyone, my name is Davin. I came to Shoreline in Fall 2011, and I’m currently majoring in nursing. Coming to Shoreline Community College is the best decision I made in my life. Being a student at the SCC campus is very enriching mainly because of the good opportunities to meet new people from different cultural backgrounds. You will feel comfortable to study inside the campus with great facilities provided by the campus to finish your assignments. Moreover, I like the staffs inside the SCC campus that are very helpful and friendly to the students. I feel this place not just a place for study, but for you to improve your academic skills and reach your goals as an international student. As an IPM I welcome you to become a part of SCC, hoping you to have a great time and wish you all the best.

Michelle Wu – Indonesia

Hello everyone! I hope you all are feeling excited about coming to Shoreline Community College! I am sure that you did not make a wrong decision to come here. I have gained an immeasurable amount of knowledge and experience since I came here in Winter 2012. SCC offers me variety of opportunities and resources to accomplish my personal goals. I love the fun events that are hosted almost every month. It always motivates me to become an active student on campus! There’s always something to do! SCC’s diverse population also has given me the opportunities to make friends with students from other countries and get to know about different cultures. Knowing them makes me feel like I’m traveling around the world. I hope that you will gain similar experience like I did! I know that choosing a school is not an easy decision to make. Even so, as an IPM, I am more than happy to help you to achieve a wonderful college life. SCC’s friendly staff and faculty will also be there to kindly help you with any difficulties. I am looking forward to meeting you all! Don’t forget to say hi when you pass me by.

Sayaka Iida – Japan

Hello everyone, my name is Sayaka Iida. I came to Shoreline in the Fall of 2011. When I came here for the first time, I was very worried about my college life because I could not speak English very well but many other international students could speak fluently. Also, I did not have any friends at that time and did not know who I was able to trust. But many of the students and staffs were very friendly and good people, so feel free to ask for help anytime. Though I still struggle with homesickness and English, SCC gives you many opportunities to join clubs, events, and do volunteer work. Those chances can enhance your school life, English skills, and help you accomplish your dreams. So be active! Don’t hesitate! Don’t be afraid of making mistakes! Please feel free to come and talk to me if you have questions or troubles. I will help you anytime. I am looking forward to meeting all of you on the SCC campus.

Kenneth Sze – Hong Kong

Hello everyone, my name is Kenneth and I come from Hong Kong. I am currently majoring in electrical engineering. Studying abroad is one of the best experiences I have ever had. I first came to Shoreline Community college in Fall 2011 and I met a lot of great teachers which helped me to become more interested in studying. Although you may feel homesick when you first come to Shoreline, don’t worry about it since all the faculty and students in SCC will make you feel like you are part of the Shoreline family. Also, there are a lot of great resources and opportunities for you to explore your interests. Also, SCC provides a great learning environment so that you can be successful in your college life. As an International Peer Mentor, I am excited to meet with you in the coming school year. Please feel free to talk with me or ask me any questions if you see me around campus. I hope you all will have a great time studying at SCC.

Transfer Fair 2012!

Over 90 universities and colleges from all over the U.S. were here at Shoreline on Monday! Representatives from these schools participated in our transfer fair which happens every year. This fair gives international students the opportunity to meet and speak with a representative from the school they are interested in transferring to. Students get to ask questions about admissions, different majors, campus life etc…

Vimol – an international student who has been studying at SCC for one year – is interested in transferring to a university to study nursing. She attended the transfer fair and said, “I learned a lot about the requirements different schools have for admission. I also learned about the competitiveness of the schools I want to apply to, all of the information that I received will allow me to compare schools”. Vimol is particularly interested in several schools in California. She was able to walk up to different booths and grab brochures, sign up on email lists to receive more information in the future and talk to the representatives. She said, “I had the chance to talk to a lot of California schools as well as the University of Washington, it was very helpful for me”.

The transfer fair is a great opportunity for international students and as Vimol expressed,

“we get to explore all of the transfer possibilities”. 

Some schools that were present are:

–          University of Washington

–          UC Berkeley

–          UC Davis

–          Indiana University Purdue University

–          Seattle University

–          UC San Diego

–          University of San Francisco

–          Columbia College

–          Arizona State University

–          State University of New York Buffalo

Please click on the picture below to see some pictures from the fair!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is a popular holiday in the U.S. Common Halloween activities include wearing costumes, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, visiting haunted houses, watching scary movies etc… The IPMs worked with the Student Leadership Center and held a Halloween party for all students yesterday. There was a DJ playing music, different games, a costume and pumpkin carving contest. So many students came dressed in their fun costumes. Some of the costumes I saw were: Pikachu, Dorothy (from Wizard of Oz), vampires, Snow White, pirates, cow, tiger and many more! The students also got in groups and worked together to carve pumpkins. I think the best part was all of the students dancing! At one point, there was even a big circle and a few students at a time would get in the middle and perform their best dance moves! Most students have been spending hours studying for upcoming midterms so this was a good and much needed break.

Please click on the picture below to view pictures from the night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION STAFF!

ISOP FALL 2012!!

Orientation was great!

We had 258 new students!! ISOP was 5 days and students took placement tests, met with advisors, registered for classes and made new friends. Orientation ended with a tour of Seattle. We went to:

– Seattle Center (home of the Space Needle)

– Pike Place Market (downtown Seattle)

– Westlake Center (shopping center)

– Uwajimaya (supermarket with a variety of Asian groceries and gifts)

– Alki Beach!

I really enjoyed meeting and talking with new students! It was so interesting hearing what the new students thought about Seattle so far. Please check out some of my favorite pictures!!

Click here to view slideshow!

Meet SCC’s Student Body President: GUN

1. Tell us a little about yourself 

Hi there, my name is Kanpong Thaweesuk. I go shortly by “Gun”. I am from Thailand, and my nickname is actually more meaningful than a firearm. It means “together” in Thai. So, I am not harmful, but friendly and outgoing. I came to Shoreline Community College in Spring 2010, majoring in business (transfer degree). I enjoy playing guitar, listening to music, and travelling.

2. Why did you choose to study at Shoreline?

I chose Shoreline because I like the green environment at the college. After looking at pictures of Shoreline, I was attracted to all of the trees (there are lots!) and the facilities.

3. How have you gotten involved on campus?

I have been extensively involved on the SCC campus. I worked as an International Peer Mentor (IPM) in 2010-2011. As an IPM, I was assigned to support new and continuing international students. Other IPMs and I organized quarterly events and activities/events and advocated on their behalf. In my second year (2011-2012), I was elected for the Student Body President. I got the opportunity to help serve over 10,000 students at the college as well as manage the student budget (over $1.5 million!). Being an IPM and now the Student Body President, I have discovered my passion which is serving others. Therefore, I decided to stay at Shoreline one more year and continue serving Shoreline students as the Student Body President in 2012-2013.

4. What have you learned from your experience at Shoreline?

My study abroad experience has truly been valuable for me. Shoreline is a great place to learn. I have gained knowledge at SCC from the many supportive, well-educated, and passionate teachers. I am also developing skills from learning opportunities outside of classroom. The campus community have been supportive in allowing me to gain practical experiences. I have learned to grow by taking actions out of my comfort zone which has given me skills and experiences that are priceless.

5. What is your favorite class that you have taken?

Multicultural Communication (CMST203). I learned about power, privilege and difference which are concepts that impact everyone on a daily basis.

6. What advice would you give future students?

If a student is seeking to learn and grow, I would suggest that you come to Shoreline with a will to learn. After your arrival, you remind yourself about the eagerness and the will that you have, and stay out of your comfort zone. Then, I am sure that you will grow much more than you might expect, because you will receive a lot of support here at Shoreline.