I am a 20-year-old business major at De Anza College. A native of El Salvador, I always wanted to study in the United States after I finished high school because studying here is such a great opportunity and offers great benefits. I hope to transfer to San Francisco State University in the fall of 2006.

On my first day at De Anza College, I was anxious and really stressed out because things were very different from my country. But I was also excited because this was a dream come true and I was here in a great college. The people here are very friendly, and there are many international students on campus. During the first quarter it was a bit hard for me because I was new on campus, but then I started seeing the same people and began making small talk. The faculty and staff members are great too—they always make themselves available if you need any help and most of them will remember you. I’ve been very lucky so far.

I joined a club named Friends, which helps students who struggle financially. I joined the club through a friend who invited me. I met many people and liked the environment and the club’s activities. As an international student you get many benefits by being part of a club. 

There are many opportunities on an American campus that can’t be found anywhere else. There is so much diversity here at De Anza College—it is amazing. I have met and befriended people from many countries, people that I never would have met if I had stayed in El Salvador.

There are many things that you can do in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can go to the beach in Santa Cruz or visit the sights of San Francisco, and of course I enjoy going to parties and shopping.

The lifestyle here is so different from my country—life can be harder and more demanding, but I love it here. I have become more independent and mature since I’ve been in the United States; it’s very challenging but it’s worth it.

I think that my experiences so far at De Anza will help me a lot. They’ve shaped my personality. When I have problems I’ve learned to work with them and try my best to solve them. In the future I think that these experiences will help me to overcome challenges and make the best possible decisions.