The International Student Program (ISP) hosted a virtual International Student Program (ISP) Appreciation on November 16, 2020 to kick off International Education Week (IEW). Russell Waldon, Dean of Global Learning Programs and Services at Skyline College, welcomed everyone to the event by giving a brief introduction to IEW and sharing his appreciation for Skyline’s international students, faculty, staff, student workers, and administrators along with the support received from the District Team.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Melissa Moreno, Skyline College President, highlighted the benefits of having an internationalized community and how the international students at Skyline College help to achieve this by enriching the campus through their contributions in and out of the classroom. This was echoed by Mike Claire, SMCCD Chancellor, who also shared how he saw the positive change that international students brought to the campus. Attendees then participated in a quick and informative trivia game about the international student population at Skyline College. This was followed by a recorded performance by Ayumi Asayama, a current international student, who played a wonderful medley of “Ribbon in the Sky” and “I Want You Back.” on the piano. Then, heartfelt video messages from some students to their professors were played, making the audience nostalgic for being back on the Skyline College campus.
The highlight of the event was the interactive speech presented by this year’s recipient of the ISP Faculty Award, Mathematics Professor Younga Choi. Professor Choi led an engaging activity which invited international students in attendance to locate their home country on a world map. Professor Choi concluded her speech by speaking about her experiences as an international student. In her inspirational speech, she provided personal and insightful information about how to succeed and navigate the American college system as an international student.
You can view the recorded event here: International Student Program Association (Must be signed in to your SMCCD Zoom account)
Article by Clair Yeo-Sugajski and Kimiko Petsche | Photo by Clair Yeo-Sugajski
