Adrian Roche - Country: Argentina - College: Seattle Central Community College, USA

Yousef Mashal - Country: Bahrain - College: Preston University, USA

Singrung Numsangvanich - Country: Thailand - College: Lincoln University, USA.

Oscar Martinez - Country: Guatemala - College: Denver Automotive & Diesel College, USA

Cesar Fernandez - Country: Spain - College: Long Beach City College, USA

United States of America ¦ United Kingdom ¦ Europe ¦ Africa ¦ Australia ¦ Canada ¦ New Zealand

A selection of profiles on international students who are currently studying abroad. The words are their own.........! Please select a destination from the regions listed above.

Country: Argentina
Age: 22
College: Seattle Central Community College

Upon my return to the U.S.A. I studied at a language school for six months and while doing that I researched the community college market in Seattle. After comparing costs, programs, proximity to the city of Seattle and convenience, I decided to enroll in the Graphic Imaging and Printing Technology program offered by Seattle Central Community College.

I hold a four-year degree in Advertising; therefore, I thought that learning about printing would give me the chance to gain hands-on experience and introduce myself to the advertising industry in the Seattle area. This is exactly what happened.  Besides discovering an excellent field to complement my career in advertising, I was also offered a job by the International Education department at the college. Then, the real learning experience suddenly became more tangible and my decision to go back to study in the U.S.A. started to make very good sense. Working first as an office assistant and then as a member of the marketing team at the college gave me customer service, office, and very good advertising development skills. Within the first year of working at the college I had the chance to show my ideas and actually start to get them produced. The remaining two years as an SCCC worker opened up a new horizon in my life.

What I gave to the college and the experience I received in exchange has opened up additional possibilities in Japan,  where I currently reside,  as a marketing and advertising developer for a language school.  Not only this, it also have a job offer from an advertising development company in Tokyo.

Seattle Central Community College is more than a great school. Seattle Central Community College is what made a big difference in my life, what traced a line between the life I had up until 1996 and the one that finds me facing the 21^st century.

Adrian Roche, Escobar, Argentina

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Country: Bahrain
Age: 28
College: Preston University, USA

"It is very important to attend a university that truly cares about you as a student, and such an institution is Preston University!"

Hello from Bahrain. My name is Yousef Mashal and I am a recent MBA graduate from Preston University. The MBA program is not for everybody as it is extremely demanding, and rigorous. The quality of education you receive as a student makes all the work well worth it. I believe it is the professors that make Preston University superior to others as they are exceptionally knowledgeable and professional. They are professors who care about you as a Preston student and are always ready to assist you.

I completed my MBA while I was still managing my flourishing business. As I learned first hand, the Preston degree is not useless book knowledge; daily I was able to apply the lessons to my work experiences. Having a Preston MBA degree has made me a more effective and productive manager. Now I am continuing my education with Preston University and soon will be earning my Ph.D.

As I said previously, the Preston MBA degree is not for everybody. The degree is only for those who can commit themselves and want to be proud of a valuable degree that will take them places.

Preston University: http://www.wyoming.com/~Preston

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Country: Thailand
Age: 27
College: Lincoln University, USA

Impressions of a Thai Student in the United States of America

It was in 1990 when I first came to the USA. Like other young boys, I was so amazed with all new surrounding, language, people and opportunity. Everything seems to be the way you want. When you are young, you feel like you can change the whole world. That was exactly how I felt. My name is Singrung Numsangvanich, 27 years old, a student from Thailand to the land of hope and opportunity, USA.

Adapting to new life style is never easy to all foreigners. I had to face so many challenges like culture shock, changing in status and attitude, and environment. Eventually, most people can get along with them. I have experienced so many actions and events during my stay in the USA. Some may be pleasant, some may be sorrowful. But those are building blocks that help me get through life and become who I am now.

During the first couple years, I was studying mostly English and began my education with a local 2-years college. It was tough since I didn’t speak the same language but had to learn what they expected me to know and understand. Fortunately, with my family’s supports and self-confidence, I passed all those difficulties which are very critical to most of international students. Then I transferred myself to Lincoln University in San Francisco.

Lincoln University is the place that lighted me up to new level. I decided to major in Computer Science for my Bachelor and continued my MBA under Management information System concentration. Meanwhile, I was both studying and working in the school. Here, I have learned so many useful knowledge that can shape up my future vision.

At Lincoln University, there are diversity of international students all around the world. I met many friends and learned about their custom and culture. In my own opinion, studying abroad educates me both experience and wisdom. I may have not got all these fortunate chances if I were studying in my country. To be internationally competitive, I really believe that I have to earn and gain experience as many ways as possible. Knowing the competitors and customers will benefit in making a right decision. To gain competitive advantage, I must be ahead of the game. With my education and background plus international connection experience, I would be able to understand an analyse what should be done according to the situation both locally and internationally.

I feel like I am lucky to be here today. I have built my foundation with international education and understand more clearly about other countries’ custom and culture. All these are beneficial advantage that I gain from studying abroad. I am really lucky to be in Lincoln University and in San Francisco. The city by the bay that contains one of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the famous Golden Gate bridge, the romantic city and the most well mingled of all diversities on the earth. They always said that when you come to San Francisco, it won’t be just the first time, because you will want to come back again and again. I really believe so.

Lincoln University: http://www.lincolnuca.edu

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Country: Guatemala
Age: 23
College: Denver Automotive & Diesel College

What am I going to do after high school? I asked myself that question almost every day my last year in high school. Finally I graduated but have not quite decided what to do with my life. I have always liked cars, but in my country, there are no good schools to study automotive mechanics; so I tried different careers like agriculture and business administration but didn't like them.

So then I started to look for automotive schools outside my country, and then I found Denver Automotive & Diesel College. After reading information about them, I decided to contact them and send me more information about the school, training programmes, etc.. When I got that, I knew that was my best choice to go study automotive mechanics. I have been here for one year now and still think it was my best choice, they have a lot of things to offer to students.

There are many reasons why I think that way but I'll only mention the most important ones for me: an excellent training programme that combines theory and practice at the same time, all the instructors have a lot of experience in the field and are ASE Certified, all the information we get is updated frequently, the school also has modern equipment to diagnose the newest computerised engines in the market and, the environment that surrounds you is very nice.

I could go on and on telling you about this school but I don't want to bore you. The only thing I can tell is that this school is opening a lot of doors in my future and that I'm very satisfied with the knowledge and benefits I'm getting here, so if you like cars like I do, this is the place you want to be.

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Country: Spain
Age: 22
College: Long Beach City College, USA

My name is Cesar Fernandez. I am from Spain, and am in my third semester of study at Long Beach City College. I chose LBCC in California because of the marvellous Theatre Arts and Business programs. My major is International Business, my minor is Acting. Besides the quality academic courses, Long Beach City College offers a large and varied student life program. I am actively involved in the International Student Club, have had the opportunity to act in several productions, and serve as an officer on the Associated Student Body Cabinet. I have gained valuable leadership and team building skills.

While the campus environment is excellent, studying in Southern California, and especially Long Beach, the "International City" has distinct advantages. The weather is wonderful year-round. The beaches are beautiful and the mountains and desert are a short drive.

Upon completion of my AA degree, I plan to transfer to UCLA. My education at Long Beach City College, in and out of the classroom, has prepared me well for my future goals.

Long Beach City College: http://www.lbcc.cc.ca.us

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At the end of 4 years, I received a first class honours degree (with grade 5) from the university. My final year project was investigating vibration in a ventilator blade.

After completing my studies at the Technical University of Budapest, I completed an MSc at the University of Birmingham, UK. Finally, I did a PhD at the same University from 1995 to 1998.

Since 1998 I have been working for the research centre of an oil and gas company called Norsk Hydro in Norway as a senior research Scientist. My work evolves all the multiphase flow problems which take place in oil and gas production.