Students in SCC’s International Students Program come from 26 countries from around the world, including China, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Ski Lanka, France, Mexico and Colombia. As the 2024 fall semester nears, enrollment is inching toward last fall’s high of 101 students.
The number of international students has been growing steadily each year since the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s director, Jetza Torres, said. “We’re doing very, very well in our program.”
Santiago Canyon College has a reputation in the U.S. and abroad for its high-quality academic programs and student support services, Torres explained. In May, she accepted an Export Achievement Certificate from the Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The certificate recognizes businesses and educational institutions for their work with overseas markets.
The program recently was presented with a commendation from Rep. Young Kim, who represents California’s 40th congressional district.
Students in foreign countries learn about SCC from their high school counselors, recruiters, educational agencies or friends and family.
They’re attracted to SCC by the student-centered approach, personalized attention and its safe and welcoming environment, Torres said. They also appreciate the small class sizes where they won’t get lost. “Most of our international students come from private high schools where they are accustomed to classrooms with fewer students,” she said.
Business administration is a popular program among international students as are the many STEM programs, she points out.
The college accepts international students three times a year. “We have three intakes—we accept students in fall, spring and summer,” she said, explaining that this is to accommodate the high school calendars in foreign countries. “Our work at the international office never stops because we are recruiting, we are accepting applications, reviewing…
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