On January 8, 2024, the International Student Program (ISP) at Skyline College once again warmly welcomed over 90 new international students for the Spring 2024 semester. The orientation, a bi-annual tradition, is designed to introduce new international students to the vibrant Skyline College community, providing them insights into campus life, resources, and facilities.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Zaid Ghori, Interim Dean of Global Learning Programs and Services, Dr. Vinicio Lopez, Vice President of Instruction, and Dr. Newin Orante, Skyline College’s Acting President. ISP staff, including Program Manager Clair Yeo-Sugajski, Counselor Carlos Romero, Detail Retention Specialist Thanh Nguyen, Substitute Program Services Coordinators Alex Chang and Ariel Chang, and Student Ambassadors (Hnin Thandar Win, Lasheana Husni, Zwe Mann Kyaw, Sebastian F. Sutjipto, Lareytha Husni, and William Wai Phyo Ordoyo Oo) were introduced to the enthusiastic group of new students.
Hnin, ISP Student Ambassador, kicked off the event with an icebreaker bingo game session, where each student received a bingo sheet filled with questions, encouraging the new students to interact and ask each other questions. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as friendships began to form. A new addition to the orientation was a trivia game about F-1 visa regulations, providing valuable information in a fun and engaging manner. This interactive session aimed to enhance students’ understanding of F-1 student visa requirements and regulations, ensuring a smooth transition into academic life at Skyline College. The students embarked on a campus tour scavenger hunt following the trivia game. Navigating through the campus, they located key offices such as the ISP Office, Library, Learning Center, Admission and Records, Health Center, Bookstore, and Building 12 under the guidance of the Student Ambassadors. After the scavenger hunt and trivia game, the students reconvened at Building 4 for lunch. While enjoying their lunch, the new students were given informational presentations on health insurance and the SMCCD homestay program. Overall, the New International Student Welcome was a huge success as the students had the opportunity to learn and make new friends as they embarked on their journey at Skyline College.
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. If you are interested in learning more about future ISP programs and events, contact the ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu.
Article by Lasheana Dilian Husni and Photo by Zwe Mann Kyaw
