On January 6, 2025, the International Student Program (ISP) started off the year by welcoming new international students to Skyline College. This welcome event is held every semester to familiarize students with the Skyline College campus and to support them at the beginning of their college lives in the US.
The event opened with remarks from the Interim Dean of Global Learning Programs and Services, Zaid Ghori, followed by the Interim Vice President of Instruction Office, Kristy Lisle. After the inspirational speeches, the ISP staff members were introduced: Clair Yeo-Sugajski (Program Manager), Carlos Romero (Academic Counselor), Thanh Nguyen (Retention Specialist), and the Student Ambassadors (William Ordoyo, Jia Haria, Mabel Lynn, and Andre Bernal).
To get the students to warm up with each other, the host, Jia Haria, led a Bingo game where each student was given a bingo sheet filled with interesting topics in each of the boxes. The students then excitedly went around the room to interact with each other, blossoming new friendships. After congratulating the five winners of the Bingo game, William and Mabel co-hosted a trivia game where the students were quizzed about F-1 visa regulations, informing them in a fun and exciting way.
Last but not least, the students were divided into four groups, each led by a Student Ambassador, for a campus tour scavenger hunt. This activity helped students to become accustomed to the campus’s resources and facilities such as the ISP Office, the Library, the Learning Center, Admission and Records, Health Center, Bookstore, and Building 12. After the successful scavenger hunt, the new students gathered back to Building 6 and enjoyed lunch together whilst learning about health insurance. Overall, the Spring 2025 New Student Welcome was a successful start to the new year as students got to meet new people and get acquainted with each other.
The International Student Program is part of the Global Learning Programs and Services Division. ISP will continue to provide services and programs for international students as well as for the entire Skyline College community. If you are interested in learning more about future ISP programs and events, contact the ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu.
Article by Mabel Lynn and Photos by William Ordoyo and Mabel Lynn
