Students appreciate excellent professors, immersive English courses, and building friendships at this California community college.

“My mission is to become a doctor to help people in need. I am currently studying ESL in the IIS [Institute for International Studies] Intensive English Program and will be starting my associate degree in biology in the spring. My experience studying at IIS has been AMAZING! The program has great professors who are caring, helpful, and knowledgeable. 

I have made so many friends from all over the world. My classmates are from South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, China, Colombia, Russia, Mexico, and Afghanistan, and I have never experienced so many cultures before. I highly recommend the IIS Intensive English Program at Mission College!”

—Glodiss Bafwafwa Baleja, future neurologist from Democratic Republic of Congo, IIS Intensive English Program

Thong Nguyen

Vietnam

Thong is studying Hospitality Management at Mission College. He talks about his first day in America.

“When I first arrived in the United States, I could not keep a conversation in English. Studying English at Mission College made a HUGE impact in my life and was the foundation of my education. I received a master’s degree in Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia from Dublin Business School in 2021 and now have a dream job, account manager at Google.

When I was working on my master’s degree, I still drew from the academic skills like essay writing that I had learned at Mission College. My experience at Mission will always stay with me. I made friends for life and still keep in touch with many of my classmates 10 years later."

—Aline Mello, Brazil, IIS Intensive English Program

“I grew up in a family where education was highly valued. My father is a physics professor in Iran, and I had the privilege of traveling the world with him as he got invited to do research at universities in many countries. When I was in 4th grade, I lived in San Mateo, California; my father was a visiting scholar at Stanford. I knew then I wanted to come back to Silicon Valley to get my education. I thought THIS was the place to be.

Even though my relative pushed me to go to De Anza College, I chose Mission College because Mission responded to my inquiry right away, and I found high ratings of professors on the Internet. I did thorough research on the colleges in the area. I know I made the right choice.

This is my second semester at Mission — I have a full schedule (biology, chemistry, and math classes) and am enjoying the campus life and working for the ETS [Educational Technology Services] department on campus. My career goal is to become a dentist. After Mission, I would like to transfer to UC Davis and get into the dental school at University of the Pacific."

—Hirad Khorramian, future dentist from Iran, International Center

Danna Johela Estupinan

Colombia

Danna is an international student from Colombia. She introduces Mission College in Spanish.

“While enrolled in the Graphic Design and Multimedia Program, I formed a team with two other classmates from my Design Agency and Branding class and won the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s annual $25,000 Create-a-thon. We secured $25,000 of free advertising for our client, Lil Bites Bakery. 

After graduation, I have been fortunate to work with Google’s Experience Studio team, who share the same goal of creating powerful experiences for everyone.”

—Lakshmi Ventakesh, India, Graphic Design and Multimedia Program

“I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I thought I had to quit and go back home. I experienced a steep learning curve, not only in learning the English language, but also adjusting to the academic culture that is completely different from back home.

I soon realized that I really needed to work on critical thinking skills and to learn to ask for help. I am now a straight-A student and was accepted to six California State Universities! My secret was utilizing Mission College’s NetTutor program and office hours with professors. When I reached out to my professors and shared that I was an international student and needed help, I always got help.

I will be studying business administration at California State University and hope to continue to play baseball. I want to get an MBA after my bachelor’s degree.”

—Yamato Goto, Japan, International Center

Yae-eun Ki

South Korea

Yae-eun shares her experience studying in the IIS Intensive English Program.

“When I first started at Mission College, I was very nervous about public speaking. My teachers have taught me how to prepare and give presentations. Now, I feel confident when I get up and speak in front of an audience. I even won a speech tournament. After my time at Mission studying graphic design, I attended San Jose State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.”

—Basma Baiya, Morocco, graphic design/International Center