Studying at a community college offers a lot of benefits to international students. Besides the low cost of study, students acquire skills and develop their passions which makes them become more employable. Let’s look at some reasons for and benefits of studying at community colleges for international students.
1. College is less Expensive
Studying abroad can be very expensive except for colleges which are more affordable to lower class people. A college education offers the opportunity for those who could not afford university education to pursue their career and have something to do within a short period of time. For example, two years.
2. Quality Education
One of the major benefits of studying at community colleges for international students is the quality of education offered. The number of students in classes in community colleges is usually few. The classes are tailored such that the student to teacher ratio is great thus, lecturers can attend to students adequately. It is also worthy of note that the professors at community colleges focus 100% on teaching.
3. Work in the US for one year on OPT
Those who complete a two year Associate Degree in an American Community College, stand to gain a lot. This is because federal law allows them to stay and work in the US for one year on Optional Practical Training- OPT. The job has to be directly related to the major taken and the application for OPT done during the last semester of your Associate Degree.
4. Easy Acceptance
College admission procedures are not as strict as universities. Once you are qualified for college admission, the school considers you immediately which is not so with universities. Students with a high school diploma or GED are easily considered for admission into college. However, you will usually have to prove that you are proficient in English. There might also be entrance exams in other subjects like Mathematics to determine which college courses you can take.
5. Academic Flexibility
Attending a community college helps students adapt to the world of higher education easily while learning at their own pace. This is highly beneficial for students with low grades in high school or those unsure of proceeding to college owing to its cost implications. This is yet another of the benefits of studying at community colleges for international students.
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