World Travelers/International Student Integration Program
During my year at Santa Fe College I was introduced to the International Studies Certificate, and consequently, to Paloma Rodriguez, lady in charge of the Study Abroad program and International Studies Certificate on campus and possibly the busiest and most dedicated woman I’ve seen in my life.
I had an epiphany at Santa Fe similar to the one I had at Florida Atlantic University about starting a club bringing commuter students together, except this time it was for international students. This is ironic to say since as soon as you step on the Santa Fe College campus, you can see very tight and almost closed ethnic groups everywhere. There’s the Latinos, there’s the African Americans, there’s the born and raised Americans. However, I did notice that for Asian students, there wasn’t a group. I noticed one specific Asian student sitting alone on a bench, and he didn’t look like he was waiting for someone or like he was simply killing time-he looked as if he wished he was waiting or killing time to be reunited with a friend. I couldn’t help but think that this was a perfect example of going with the status quo, but I was very bothered by it. I thought, ultimately we’re all international students, whether we moved here specifically to attend university or moved here with our families, we all come from different backgrounds and could greatly benefit from making friends with other international students.
This is where I decided to come to Paloma about it. She was extremely enthusiastic about it and suggested I speak to the World Travelers club, a club that promotes study abroad and fundraises money for those students that can’t afford it. I met Alyssa Lozano, Victoria Swander, and CJ Mills, in order: secretary, vice president, and president of the World Travelers club. When they heard about my club idea, they thought it vital and couldn’t understand why there was already something similar on campus. They even contributed very clever ideas to the cause. Soon after, Victoria, Paloma, Jose Rodriguez (an international advisor on campus) and I were in Paloma’s office discussing this new international student “thing”. I had gone through a link Paloma had sent me of examples of what other universities across the country are doing similar to what I had imagined, highlighted a few that I thought fitting and very important in terms of the execution of the program, and had written them all down. The meeting consisted of me speaking to all of them of my idea and of the goals and dreams I had for it. I was extremely pleased when everyone in the room became enthused with the idea. Soon all the members of World Travelers knew about the idea and were also excited, and other international clubs’ executive board members were told about it and were also for the idea. I was very fortunate to have the welcome of Victoria, CJ, and Alyssa, and all of the World Travelers members and to have their approval and support for this dream of mine. And last but not least, the help, support, and enthusiasm of Paloma. Without her this program wouldn’t have reached the international admissions office and have gotten their approval and said that this program would “definitely happen”.
The program has gone through several different purpose statements. From having conversation buddies to being a program that eases the moving transition for international students by domestic students. So far, what this program is considered is something like a hub for all international student clubs, and ultimately, for international students, to meet and share. We will have a specific room where all the clubs have a chance of displaying their events and their specific purpose statements with a visual. This room will also serve as a meeting place for general meetings, meetings with clubs, or even just as a place where any of the members can hang out. The way this will help international students that want to get involved on campus is by putting flyers everywhere on campus directing them to this specific room, where they’ll be able to explore their opportunities with the clubs, and of course, make friends. That way no other Asian, Latino, African American student will be found by someone sitting alone.
This program has yet to have a name, and there has been several name ideas for it: International Student Integration Program, International Student Integration Initiative, among others. The name is soon to be decided, but the purpose is fully in spirit of those of us looking to see this program through.
