By Donald R. Culton
Director of International Education
Los Angeles Community College District

Most students that I talk to from overseas should think seriously about attending a community college. Of course, I work for the largest system of community colleges in the United States, so I may not be an objective observer.
The American community college is not always well understood in other countries, because it has not exact international counterpart, with the possible exception of Canada.

Everyone understands what a university is. This is why some colleges and even small, unaccredited language schools, sometimes call themselves "university." The two-year community college is a university, in that a student can take classes that are equivalent to the first two years at a four-year higher education institution. This is what we call "transfer," something that is very valuable for many students, but hard to explain.

Community colleges offer English-language programs, two-year vocational programs and classes for those who have varying special interests. Students can get an associate degree in such career areas as fashion design, chef training, electronics, computers, aviation technology, nursing, automotive technology and hundreds of other areas.

Many students, particularly from Asian countries select a community college to improve their English competency, then return home and to go to work with an advantage not held by their colleagues. Of course not all colleges offer all subjects. Most students coming from overseas to study in a community college, however, have discovered that this is the best way for them to get into a university and transfer curriculum.

Many students should choose to enroll first in the two-year college for two basic reasons: 1) They are not usually academically prepared to go directly to a university, particularly in language skills. 2) They do not really know where they should go for their bachelor's degree.

Community colleges generally accept students with lower English qualifications, usually meaning a TOEFL score of 450 to 500. Universities typically expect 550. A student can often enroll immediately in community college credit, university level classes while taking English classes that will prepare them for more rigorous classes that demand greater proficiency in the language.

In most cases, universities will expect foreign students to compete immediately at the same level as native born students.

Community colleges are also a great place for students to find where it is best for them to complete their university studies.

Californian community colleges have "transfer centers" where the responsibility is to assist students in the search for the college or university that best suits the needs of the student.

These centers are staffed by experienced, well trained counselors who can interpret the very complicated instructional programs and entrance requirements of universities. Not all classes transfer to universities and each university sets its own rules, but a carefully planned program of classes will take a student to the third year without loss of credit, effort or money.

There are other benefits to the student who chooses a community college. Foremost for many is cost. A private, four-year university can cost more than US$18,000 (about NT$477,000) per year for tuition alone, no books, no housing. A family can save significantly when their daughter or son chooses a community college for the first two years, then pays the higher tuition for the last two, or junior and senior years, at a four-year institution. And, the B.Sc. or B.A. degree will be the same, regardless of where the first two years were taken.

Community colleges have other advantages. There are 1,200 or more to choose from. Classes are seldom larger than 40 or 45 students. Instructors are hired to teach, not to do research as is often the case at universities, and graduate teaching assistants do not teach in community colleges as is common at universities.

Most community colleges have international student offices to assist students with academic and personal needs. Entrance requirements are easier than at most four-year schools. Few two-year schools expect to see SAT results. Many international students select a two-year school because it is close to friends or relatives who can provide housing. The best reason to choose a community college, however, may be results. Few international students feel that they made a mistake by going first to a two-year college.

There are disadvantages for some international students in going to community colleges however. Few such colleges have dormitories or on-campus housing. At many colleges students are not given as much personal attention or orientation as may happen at four-year schools, especially the small, liberal arts colleges. And the prestige of community colleges may not be up to what some families expect for their children.

But, these disadvantages are mostly the result of the monetary advantage held by community colleges. One cannot expect to receive as much for US$4,000 (about NT$106,000) as one gets for US$18,000 (about NT$477,000).

For the student whose family can afford it, who knows exactly what he or she wants to study, and who is very well informed about the university selected, the four-year school is the best choice. All others should seriously consider the community college option.