With a mission focused on equity and access, Middlesex Community College is proud to support international students who come to the United States seeking an education. Middlesex has advisors and programs in place to support students and set them up for success from day one.
“My role working with international students is to first promote the college as an appealing educational destination,” said Jeffrey Tejada, MCC’s Director of Diversity Outreach & Recruitment. “I often speak to the value, small class sizes, and MassTransfer opportunities available to our international students at MCC.”
Tejada then ensures that students and their families understand MCC’s international application process and guides them through submitting their applications. This work is done in partnership with Noreen McGinness Olson, MCC’s Assistant of Student Success, whose division helps them with their legal documentation and student visas.
“Participating in many events hosted by both clubs allows me to make connections with other students on campus, which makes studying on campus very fun and exciting. Being a part of clubs and community events hosted by MCC makes my experience of living in the U.S. so far very thrilling and inspiring.” - Scarlett Ly, MCC Student
Olson and her team work closely with international students with registration, orientation, advising and other services, including maintaining their current status and applying for work opportunities on- and off-campus. These efforts help “establish a sense of belonging for them here at MCC,” according to Tejada.
International student Scarlett Ly finds everyone she meets at MCC to be welcoming and helpful. While one of the main reasons the Business Administration student chose Middlesex is the college’s flexible course offerings, she also appreciates MCC’s strong sense of community.
A Student Ambassador of the International Student Club and a member of ASIA Club, Ly volunteered at MCC’s first ever Lowell Asian American Film Festival (LAAFF) and was an MCC student representative at the December 2022 Lowell City of Lights Parade.
“Participating in many events hosted by both clubs allows me to make connections with other students on campus, which makes studying on campus very fun and exciting,” she said. “Being a part of clubs and community events hosted by MCC makes my experience of living in the U.S. so far very thrilling and inspiring.”
From Germany, Husnu Coban came to Middlesex for a semester via the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX). He will next participate in the Congressional Internship Program in Washington, D.C.
At MCC, he attended an international student Thanksgiving dinner where he got to meet students from across the world, as well as took classes that were “structured well.” Coban emphasizes that having staff and faculty like Tejada helped him feel connected at MCC.
“From my first step into the building, I had a sense of security,” he said. “No matter who I talked to, they were able to help me or provide me with someone who could. I felt safe with MCC and always knew what I had to do next. I had a great experience at Middlesex.”