2008 Woodie Awards
International Student Center Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary
After Being Started on 9/11, The ISC Finally Gets to Celebrate it's Creation on America's Darkest Day in History
Alex Vallejo
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: News
Sparkling cider bubbled in plastic cups. A hint of cake and frosting drifted through the 700 building, and colorful balloons bobbed in the air to mark the International Student Center's
five-year anniversary.
Located in room 712, the ISC opened its doors on a day that would become historic and tragic.
"The first day that the [ISC] opened was September 11, 2001. So it was a very bad time to begin with international students, but we did okay," Jessie Blank, ISC coordinator, said.
Despite the initial snag, the number of international students enrolled in the ISC increased steadily since the fall of 2001 (99 students) to the spring of 2006 (259 students).
According to Blank, one of the major obstacles that she faced as the inaugural coordinator was
understanding how the campus worked. Once this problem was solved, however, they were able to move forward.
"I think the biggest challenge [at first] was learning the rules of the campus and getting to know all the people that you need to know… it's the people that help you get your job done well. Once I knew people on campus and had a helpful staff we were able to do some really great things," Blank said.
Pilar Ellis, program assistant, has been working at the ISC for two-and-a-half years.
Like Blank, she finds working with the staff and students to be a "fabulous" part of her job. She sees the ISC as integral part of FC's future.
"I can see [the ISC] growing because we are moving into the new student center and we'll have more space. So we'll be able to better serve students," Ellis said.
Throughout the year, international students have the opportunity to participate in various events sponsored and organized by the ISC, from an on-campus open house to trips to the Getty museum and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Ellis, however, pointed out that favorite activities seem to be the simplest. A beach bonfire and the end-of-year awards and ceremony are always at the top of list.
The services provided to students by the ISC range from help with the initial admission process to help with housing and transportation.
According to Ellis, the most common questions asked by students have to do with finding a residence, and scholarship information.
Oliver Riley, political science major, came from England to study at FC. He works at the ISC as a
student assistant. To Riley, working at the ISC has its pros and cons.
There are several things that Riley misses from his native England.
"The drinking laws, the enthusiasm for the English soccer," he then added, "other than that just the friends and family. America's pretty cool," Riley concluded.
The ISC will continue its five-year-anniversary celebration through today. All staff and students are invited to room 712 to take part in the festivities.
five-year anniversary.
Located in room 712, the ISC opened its doors on a day that would become historic and tragic.
"The first day that the [ISC] opened was September 11, 2001. So it was a very bad time to begin with international students, but we did okay," Jessie Blank, ISC coordinator, said.
Despite the initial snag, the number of international students enrolled in the ISC increased steadily since the fall of 2001 (99 students) to the spring of 2006 (259 students).
According to Blank, one of the major obstacles that she faced as the inaugural coordinator was
understanding how the campus worked. Once this problem was solved, however, they were able to move forward.
"I think the biggest challenge [at first] was learning the rules of the campus and getting to know all the people that you need to know… it's the people that help you get your job done well. Once I knew people on campus and had a helpful staff we were able to do some really great things," Blank said.
Pilar Ellis, program assistant, has been working at the ISC for two-and-a-half years.
Like Blank, she finds working with the staff and students to be a "fabulous" part of her job. She sees the ISC as integral part of FC's future.
"I can see [the ISC] growing because we are moving into the new student center and we'll have more space. So we'll be able to better serve students," Ellis said.
Throughout the year, international students have the opportunity to participate in various events sponsored and organized by the ISC, from an on-campus open house to trips to the Getty museum and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Ellis, however, pointed out that favorite activities seem to be the simplest. A beach bonfire and the end-of-year awards and ceremony are always at the top of list.
The services provided to students by the ISC range from help with the initial admission process to help with housing and transportation.
According to Ellis, the most common questions asked by students have to do with finding a residence, and scholarship information.
Oliver Riley, political science major, came from England to study at FC. He works at the ISC as a
student assistant. To Riley, working at the ISC has its pros and cons.
There are several things that Riley misses from his native England.
"The drinking laws, the enthusiasm for the English soccer," he then added, "other than that just the friends and family. America's pretty cool," Riley concluded.
The ISC will continue its five-year-anniversary celebration through today. All staff and students are invited to room 712 to take part in the festivities.
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