With a mission focused on equity and access, Middlesex Community College is proud to support international students who come to the United States seeking an education. Middlesex has advisors and programs in place to support students and set them up for success from day one.
鈥淢y role working with international students is to first promote the college as an appealing educational destination,鈥� said Jeffrey Tejada, 91桃色鈥檚 Director of Diversity Outreach & Recruitment. 鈥淚 often speak to the value, small class sizes, and MassTransfer opportunities available to our international students at 91桃色.鈥�
Tejada then ensures that students and their families understand 91桃色鈥檚 international application process and guides them through submitting their applications. This work is done in partnership with Noreen McGinness Olson, 91桃色鈥檚 Assistant of Student Success, whose division helps them with their legal documentation and student visas.
鈥淧articipating in many events hosted by both clubs allows me to make connections with other students on campus, which makes studying on campus very fun and exciting. Being a part of clubs and community events hosted by 91桃色 makes my experience of living in the U.S. so far very thrilling and inspiring.鈥� - Scarlett Ly, 91桃色 Student
Olson and her team work closely with international students with registration, orientation, advising and other services, including maintaining their current status and applying for work opportunities on- and off-campus. These efforts help 鈥渆stablish a sense of belonging for them here at 91桃色,鈥� according to Tejada.
International student Scarlett Ly finds everyone she meets at 91桃色 to be welcoming and helpful. While one of the main reasons the Business Administration student chose Middlesex is the college鈥檚 flexible course offerings, she also appreciates 91桃色鈥檚 strong sense of community.
A Student Ambassador of the International Student Club and a member of ASIA Club, Ly volunteered at 91桃色鈥檚 first ever Lowell Asian American Film Festival (LAAFF) and was an 91桃色 student representative at the December 2022 Lowell City of Lights Parade.
鈥淧articipating in many events hosted by both clubs allows me to make connections with other students on campus, which makes studying on campus very fun and exciting,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing a part of clubs and community events hosted by 91桃色 makes my experience of living in the U.S. so far very thrilling and inspiring.鈥�
From Germany, Husnu Coban came to Middlesex for a semester via the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX). He will next participate in the Congressional Internship Program in Washington, D.C.
At 91桃色, he attended an international student Thanksgiving dinner where he got to meet students from across the world, as well as took classes that were 鈥渟tructured well.鈥� Coban emphasizes that having staff and faculty like Tejada helped him feel connected at 91桃色.
鈥淔rom my first step into the building, I had a sense of security,鈥� he said. 鈥淣o matter who I talked to, they were able to help me or provide me with someone who could. I felt safe with 91桃色 and always knew what I had to do next. I had a great experience at Middlesex.鈥�