AWC: Melting Pot In The Desert

Kyle, Nolan, Spenser, Harley

Eng 101-006

International Program-

We all agree that the International program is a great thing for this college. Our group has experienced the difficulties in moving from country to country and how tedious it is. We have watched our family in Mexico come seek education in this country only to be bombarded with paper work and red tape. We have dealt with these matters first hand so what better place to go than AWC? Arizona Western College has a campus that is sprawling with life and opportunity.  Arizona western college has one of the best international programs available for students looking for a broader outlook on desert life. Whether you are currently attending or still undecided, AWC offers you an affordable and multicultural atmosphere. From Brazil to Russia, the international program unites students from all parts of the world, bringing a great deal of understanding and diversity to the college setting.

Exclusiveness-

Harley ❤ Ivan

AWC offers one of the most  personable experiences you could possibly have in an international program. AWC’s international program is not made up of an extensive number of students with only around fifty and being hundreds of miles from the closest metropolitan city isn’t helping the numbers either. However, what the program lacks in size and isolation it makes up in exclusiveness.  Due to the small number of students it allows for the president of the program, Kenneth Kuntzelman, to provide individual support for each of the students. Mr. Kuntzelman even described a time where he picked up an incoming student from the airport and took her to dinner even before even setting foot on campus. One of the main reasons someone leaves a college is due to the fact that they do not fit in. The program here excels at helping students from around the world make a home right here in Yuma.  After conducting interviews with students such as Ivan (pictured to the right with our group member) who attended other colleges, it was concluded that we have one of the most accommodating international programs.

Affordability-

While plane tickets might not cost that much, getting into the country is a long drawn out process with mounds of paper work and applications. An aspiring student must apply for an F-1 student visa in the home country after being academically accepted to a college or university. With tuition and the added cost of the visa really takes a financial toll. But this is another area where Arizona Western is excelling in. Compared to some of the other colleges AWC provides cheaper tuition for those who want to attend college in the states without breaking the bank. This is a huge selling point and allowing for on campus housing is a huge bonus as well.

The I-Team-

The I-Team or International Team is an amazing organization open to all students at AWC interested in international topics. It helps build leadership qualities and bring awareness of local and global cultures. They meet every Wednesday in the student lounge above the book store. The I-Team hosts plenty of school events to help new students adjust to student life at AWC or promote cultural awareness. On September 20th the international program hosted a Vietnamese festival, where students prepared traditional Vietnamese food and discussed the history of Vietnam. People brought in Vietnamese souvenirs and other artifacts to help give students a better understanding of what daily life is like. But not all the events are as scholarly focused as this. They had a pool party for the students to get to know each other and even have a planned trip to Los Angeles in which they’ll take a tour of museums as well as go to Disneyland. The I-Team is a great organization based on helping students integrate into life at AWC as well as adding to the already multicultural Yuma area.

Sports–

International athlete working out

Many of the international students come to AWC for our respectable sports programs. There are eighteen players currently attending that are internationally recruited. AWC recruits players from around the world who would not be recognized otherwise and offers full scholarships to capable athletes. They are essential and attribute that our athletic program that is growing and in the past few years have succeeded expectations. Along with the wonderful athletes every sport has very reputable coaches and AWC’s football team is nationally ranked.

Conclusion–

The international program impacts college life at AWC in an extremely positive manner. It brings diversity and culture to local students while broadening their horizons. Not only is the international program bringing diversity to AWC but to the city of Yuma as well. The international program gives back to the school more than it could ever take. It brings in federal grant money and helps people that may have never received the chance to study in America. But most of all, the international program brings racial tolerance and cultural awareness to the city that is rarely found in any other organization.