On October 24, 2023, the International Student Program (ISP) hosted a campus tour of the University of California (UC), Berkeley. Eight Skyline College international students participated in the tour. The purpose of the trip was to provide a glimpse into the renowned institution, offering students an insider’s look at campus life, history, and culture.

The tour began by going to the Visitor Center to meet with the designated tour guide, a current international student at UC Berkeley from France. Along with hearing about UC Berkeley’s history, the group also had the opportunity to learn a wide range of information about the classes, student life, campus, and degree programs, as well as being able to ask any questions they had. The students explored some of the campus’s most notable buildings during the walking tour, such as the Simpson Center, the Haas School of Business, the Sather Tower, the Sather Gate, the Doe Memorial Library, and LeConte Hall—which gained notoriety for its connection to Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was a physics professor at UC Berkeley in 1936.
A visit to the recognizable Sather Tower was the tour’s high point. Reaching the tower’s summit offers amazing views over the Berkeley campus, the scenic San Francisco Bay, and beyond. This is why the tower is so well-known. It allowed the group to learn some details about it and take a group photo in front of it.
The students at Skyline College thought the tour was incredibly inspirational and appreciated the campus’s beauty. The tour guide also gave them much information on UC Berkeley student life, the transfer admissions procedure, and advice. Bawi, a student, reported that the tour was enjoyable and a good experience for him.
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 and photos credit: Lasheana Dilian Husni