Dreams begin in Summer Session II

Zeynep Kolemen from Turkey

My name is Zeynep and I’m from Istanbul, Turkey. I have been in the U.S. for 8 months. I flew more than 6,000 miles to achieve my dreams. During my first 6 months in Santa Barbara, I was studying at ELC, a language school, because I didn’t feel comfortable about my English skills. After I completed my language course, I transferred to SBCC in June for Summer Session II.

The reason why I chose to study at SBCC is because it is the number one community college in the U.S. I think SBCC is the best place to improve yourself for your future goals because there are plenty of options, and you can take whichever class you want. My first day at SBCC was meaningful because it was the beginning of my dream. My dream is to create my own children’s clothing brand in the U.S. I already hold a Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering from my country. I want my brand to be known worldwide, which is why I came the U.S. I chose Marketing as my major at SBCC to understand the American business culture and trading system well. After I finish my degree, I can do my OPT in a textile company to deeply understand the business life. During summer session, I had the chance to meet with Mayor of Santa Barbara, Cathy Murillo. I told her about my dreams and she recommended me to go to Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) in order to get support and start my business plan.

One of the greatest experiences I’ve had in the U.S. during these 8 months has been as a volunteer for an non-profit organization called, Worldhealer. We visited Boys & Girls Club several times and made presentations to children about cultural, social, environmental, and behavioral differences around the world. I am still trying to adjust to the culture, people, and especially the language, in the United States. It is hard, but not impossible! During our visits, I sometimes couldn’t understand what the children said while we were playing games. When I couldn’t understand, I would just smile at them and they smiled back. That is when I realized that all we need is a smile even if we are different and don’t understand each other!

In Summer Session II, I took English 98, Marketing 101 (an online class), and PD 101B (an orientation class for international students). English 98 was the hardest class that I took in summer session. I wrote 3-5 page essays every week, but I passed the class and I am really proud of myself. I feel that my English has been improving day by day. Marketing 101 was the first online class I ever took. I learned how to use Canvas, attend and do my modules, discussions, and quizzes. PD101B was one of my favorite classes because it gave me the opportunity to meet people from other nationalities, and we got to share our dreams with each other. Although I am an international student, in class, I have never felt that I am different from the other students. Our teachers are always helpful and equal to each of us. I feel lucky and happy to be here! 

Welcome to SBCC!

View over the West Campus at Santa Barbara City College

Carola Smith,
Dean of International Programs

Welcome to Santa Barbara City College, one of the premier community colleges in the U.S.! We look forward to meeting you and to welcoming you to our beautiful campus!

I first came to SBCC as an international student from Germany and completed my general education requirements prior to transferring to UC Santa Barbara where I completed my Bachelors and Masters degrees. Upon completion of my graduate studies, I returned to SBCC first as a faculty and later as an administrator. Today, I feel fortunate to be able to provide oversight for SBCC’s international programs and to be in a position to help incoming international students to have a great learning experience at SBCC and to realize their academic goals!

When I first came to SBCC, I was unfamiliar with the American education system and with the community college system so I had a lot of questions about why I should first attend a community college, how to select my classes, and how to navigate the U.S. education system. The SBCC academic counselors were really helpful in helping me to figure out which courses to take to complete my transfer requirements and in preparing me for my studies at UCSB. 

While at SBCC, I took classes in many different disciplines to complete my general education requirements. I loved being able to explore different academic majors and to take advantage of the many great programs and services offered at SBCC. In my second year, I decided to participate in one of SBCC’s many Study Abroad programs and to spend one semester studying in Cambridge, England, which turned out to be another amazing learning adventure. 

With the help of my instructors and the student support services available on campus, I was able to succeed academically and to transfer to the university of my choice. The academic courses I took at SBCC prepared me well for my studies at UCSB, and I was able to get a full scholarship for my graduate studies at UCSB. 

For me, attending SBCC as an international student turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve made and to be a life-changing experience. Studying and living in different countries has given me an appreciation and curiosity for different cultures and a better understanding of the world. As a result, I decided to pursue a career in international education, which has been incredibly rewarding and gratifying. Over the years, I have seen thousands of international students come and go who contributed to the campus community by bringing their own unique perspective to our classrooms and who became involved on campus and in the local community and who made lasting friendships with other students. Most of them arrived a little nervous and unsure about what to expect. Some of them encountered personal and academic challenges. All of them grew personally and academically as a result of their international study experience!

I commend you on taking this important step to study abroad and to learn about another country and culture. The SBCC faculty and staff welcome you and are here to support you on your way to becoming a global citizen!