Community College Academic Program
Semester, Year or English as Second Language Programs:
You have the option to begin your program in August or January, and can choose the length of study and coursework that’s right for you. Participate in the ESL Program designed to improve English language skills or spend a semester or year exploring a new language and culture, all while making lifelong friendships! You have the ability to take a wide variety of classes at your community college to expand your horizons, or you can choose to complete a certificate program if your heart is set on a specific field. Certificate programs allow you to focus your studies within a field, such as Fashion, Business, Multimedia Arts, or Computer Science. Through the certificate programs, you will learn more about the United States and improve your English skills while also gaining technical skills that are easily transferable to your home country. With the YFU Community College Program, we help take the stress out of studying abroad by supporting you during application, registration, travel and finding accommodation.
Campus Coordinators are availabe at each of our partner colleges. They work closely with YFU to provide academic guidance and support as well as organize weekly and monthly activities for YFU international students.
Meet two Campus Coordinators
Allisen Stojanovic holds a B.A. in Spanish Language from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, a graduate certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota and her Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Allisen has a large travel portfolio and worked as a Spanish interpreter for over 15 years. She is adjunct Spanish instructor at Fox Valley Technical College and leads student language and cultural immersion trips abroad as well.
Kelly Kester serves as the Director of International Programs at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington – USA. Kelly has worked in the field of international education for more than twenty years. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota with a double major in Foreign Language and International Studies, and a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and ESL teaching certification from the University of Montana. Kelly has extensive travel experience to many parts of the world, including Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Mr. Kester studied at the Universidad Nacional Autonima in Heredia, Costa Rica and completed a Fulbright Administrators program in Germany in 2008.
“I believe a lot in the experience that YFU’s CCP offers to students. In fact, just two weeks ago a French YFU student returned to visit Whatcom – 11 years after her program ended. We talked about the experience that she had at Whatcom for her CCP and it was transformative. I’ve been working YFU for nearly 18 years, and the students are really a great addition to our college. Because students are able to select classes that are of interest to them, it’s not only transformative to be immersed in a different culture, it’s also a great time for exploration of every student’s own passions. Whatcom and YFU fit well together!”
YFU and Campus Coordinators work together to place students in host families or residence halls on or near campus. This is a great way to meet American and other international friends! It’s also convenient and makes it easy to stay involved on campus.
30% of international students report finding housing was harder than they expected
Inside HigherEd
YFU USA’s extensive network of staff and volunteers provides students the support they need in the US:
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Campus Coordinators to help you navigate your new school
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Highly-trained support managers to assist with challenges that may arise
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Medical Insurance, giving you the chance to play sports and ensure you stay healthy
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Experienced staff guiding you through the visa process
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Airport and Travel assistance
What else makes CCP great?
Click to learn even more!
With the YFU Community College Program, your dedicated college coordinator will make a number of extracurricular opportunities available to you. For example, here are some of the recent activities that YFU alumni have been engaged in at their community college:
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Student government
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Student theater groups
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Community service organizations
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Athletics
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Student musical groups
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International student clubs
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Honor societies
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“I even got the opportunity to play in the second semester’s musical. I was the protagonist. It was such a challenge for me. I was very shy in public and suddenly I had to sing and act in a foreign language in front of a public. This helped me a lot on an interpersonal level”
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“I have joined the Student Senate, which supports the college in providing a good student life. I have helped solve problems, fulfill wishes and organize events like a paint night for students”
Community Colleges
YFU CCP BY THE NUMBERS
Marianne from Switzerland attended Lincoln Trail College for an academic year
“Since I didn’t get a degree I had a wide variety of choices. Although I had to take English reading, there were still lots of classes to choose from. Therefore, I knocked myself out with acting, singing and history of music. I also took classes in logic, which we normally don’t have in Switzerland, just to widen my horizon. The teachers were all so nice and understanding, if you had problems grasping new words and such.”