COVID-19 is one of the biggest reasons for the declining number of international students at Highline, college officials say.
The number of international students has been falling since 2016. There were 177 international students in the academic year of 2020-2021, while it was 532 in 2016-2017.
However, International Student Programs officials say that the situation is getting better.
“A number of students are coming back from South Asia, especially from the Papua area, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Eastern Europe. A great number of students from this area used to take online classes last year and are coming back to campus from this year,” said Michael Gruberg, assistant director of ISP.
The International Student Programshas been trying to increase the number of international students by offering various kinds of support.
According to ISP, there are four main appealing points of Highline for international students. One is scholarship. ISP scholarship offers up to $1,000-$2,000 per quarter to those who take more than 12 credits. There is also general scholarship such as COVID-relief funds.
Second is how their program helps advance several specific careers. Hospitality, Computer Science, and Engineering are the three most popular programs for international students.
Third is the flexibility of services ISP offers. ISP has flexible time for zoom meetings, online classes and pre-orientation for students in their home country. They also support students with Visas, transferring, and get OPT(Optional Practical Training).
Fourth is various student activities.
“A big part of learning is not only about classes, it’s to get involved in school activities,” Gruberg said. “When you think back on your life at Highline in the future, the best memories are not the time you were stuck at a desk, but the experience with others in the community.
“We try to make community events and make easy access to campus events and social gatherings to help create a social life while attending school,” Gruberg said.
For example, Gruberg pointed to the Global Student Ambassadors(GSA), a group of students who plan programs throughout the year to connect the global community on campus. They are trying to make international students’ time at Highline fun and interesting. It provides a chance for international students to be connected by online events through zoom or social media.
One Global Student ambassador, Mina Moriguchi, said the program does indeed offer connections for international students.
“I joined GSA because I wanted to do something to be connected to the community in this pandemic age,” she said. “Our goal is to make a comfortable and safe space for international students.”
GSA is hosting a program, International Student Highlights, live on Instagram every Wednesday at noon. They interview international students and share their experiences.
To watch the interview, visit https://instagram.com/gsa.highline.college?utm_medium=copy_link on Instagram.
GSA hosted events are currently online, but they are trying to have in-person events this month.
To contact GSA, email gsa@highline.edu or join events hosted by GSA. Events schedule will be announced through student email.