On Friday, March 6, 2026, following a successful collaboration in Spring 2025, the International Student Program and the Transfer Center collaborated again to bring students to UC Berkeley for another campus tour. Seventeen students from Skyline College actively participated in the iconic campus tour of UC Berkeley. Two full-time staff members supervised the tour and worked together to design an experience that would provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the transfer process and campus life.
The experience was significantly enhanced by the contributions of four Skyline College alumni, currently pursuing degrees in Biology and Neuroscience at UC Berkeley. Leveraging their shared background as former community college students, they facilitated campus navigation and provided nuanced insights into the transfer transition process. Their involvement proved essential; through proactive engagement and inquiry, they curated the itinerary to align with the cohort’s specific academic trajectories, ensuring direct exposure to facilities pertinent to their prospective fields of study.
The adventure began at the renowned California Memorial Stadium, home of Cal Football. Students exhibited high levels of engagement with the site’s historical narrative and institutional heritage. Subsequent observations were conducted at the Haas School of Business, Bauer Wurster Hall, and Hertz Hall, providing a comprehensive overview of the campus’s diverse architectural and academic environments.
A significant point of the tour was Sather Tower (the Campanile), specifically regarding the traditions associated with the “4.0 GPA Ball.” In the context of upcoming midterms, students engaged in the ritual of touching the monument—a symbolic gesture intended to solicit academic success. This behavior serves as a notable example of how institutional myths and “good luck” rituals are leveraged by the student body to mitigate academic anxiety during high-stress assessment periods.
As they explored picturesque pathways, students took in the striking architecture of the Doe Memorial Library, Cory Hall, LeConte Hall, the new Bechtel Engineering Center, the C.V. Starr East Asian Library, and, lastly, the Valley Life Sciences Building. The highlight of this tour was that students were able to enter some of the buildings to observe the academic atmosphere and were amazed by the difference between a community college and a 4-year university.
The favorable weather further enhanced the experience, making the 2.5-hour walking tour both enjoyable and energizing. As the tour wrapped up, students were given Ike’s sandwiches for lunch and dismissed to explore the Berkeley area! Many took the chance to venture out for some boba drinks, adding a sweet note to a fulfilling day.
The UC Berkeley tour proved to be a high-value experience, offering Skyline College students practical insights into the transfer process. By bridging the resources of the International Student Program and the Transfer Center, the initiative provided a clear roadmap for those navigating the transition to a four-year university. Students left the campus with more than just a view of the grounds; they returned with a tangible sense of the academic possibilities ahead and a renewed focus on their long-term educational goals.
The International Student Program is part of the Enrollment Services Division, and the Transfer Center is part of the Counseling Division. ISP and Transfer Center will continue to provide services and programs for international students and the entire Skyline College community. If you want to learn more about both departments’ programs and events, contact the ISP office at skyinternational@smccd.edu and the Transfer Center at skytc@smccd.edu.
Article by Thanh Nguyen
Photos by Thanh Nguyen and Adriana Johnston
