International Students: A Flavor of Diversity in Kingsborough
by Corina Platon

Diversity is a celebrated element at Kingsborough Community College, and the International Hall of Flags, overlooking the cafeteria, proves it. One of the main ingredients in this variety of ethnicities is the large number of international students from all over the world, who study at Kingsborough on F1visas (student visa). Since 1996, that Kingsborough has been accepting foreign students on visas, and nowadays there are approximately 400 international students enrolled in English as a second language classes (ESL) and another 250 pursuing a college degree.

Roberto Silva is one of them, and just as most international students here, he started his course of education in the United States with ESL classes and worked his way up to college. He came all the way from Brazil to experience life and education in the United States, and discovered that obtaining and maintaining an international student status it is not that simple.

“There are so many regulations for foreign students, plus the tuition fees are higher and there is no possibility of getting financial aid or a loan,” expressed Mr. Silva with disappointment.

 Arelis Martinez, one of the International Academic Advisors at Kingsborough, explains that “the most challenging part for these students is the financial support,” which is an estimate of $23,000 per year required from students in order to obtain the F1 visa. “It is a government regulation for international students to show financial support,” said Ms. Martinez, “some who don’t have that kind of money try to look for sponsors.”  She revealed the fact that there were instances when students were obliged to discontinue their studies and return to their countries, as they weren’t able to provide the finances required.

 Further strict regulations for foreign students apply to the possibility of getting jobs. Only students enrolled in college programs for at least one year are allowed by government regulations to work 20 hours per week on campus; for outside employment, they are required to apply for a work permit which allows them to work no more than 20 hours a week. Ms. Martinez and the staff of the International Student Affairs Office play the role of a liaison for international students and Kingsborough Community College. “We give a lot of support to our foreign students,” said Ms. Martinez, explaining that they’ve helped students “with finding jobs in many areas on campus: in the cafeteria, the computer center, the library, the citizenship and immigration center and many others.” 

In spite of the numerous governmental rules and financial obstacles, these foreign students strive and succeed. English is their second language, yet, they do very well with the college subjects, and as Ms. Martinez remarked, “they represent a very bright part of the school, as they’re all at a very high level in their education, with GPAs between 3.70 and 4.00.”