VOA慢速英语:社区大学为大家提供简单和低成本的学习机会
From VOA Learning English, this is As It Is. I’m AnnaMatteo in Washington.
A degree from a college or university is often the keythat opens doors of opportunity -- doors to a better joband a better life. Without a college degree, many jobsare simply not available.
In the second half of our show, we will hear about aprogram that offers international students who may nothave access to higher education a chance to reachtheir goals.
But first, we talk a little more about community colleges.
Just as the name states, community colleges arelocal. So, they are easy to get to. A person does not need to move to adifferent city to attend a community college program. And the cost ofcommunity colleges is much lower than tuition at four-year colleges anduniversities.
For those people not ready to commit to a four-year program, communitycollege is a great place to start. If you have a full-time job, you can takeclasses at night. You can experiment with different subjects to figure out whatyou want to be when you grow up – to use a popular expression.
For me, community college was the road that led to a four-year universityprogram, which then led to a scholarship to study in China.
For some facts and figures on community colleges, here is Bob Doughty.
The Community College Option
Suppose you are thinking about attending college in the United States. Butperhaps you might not be ready for a university with a four-year program.
About 88,000 international students have found asolution. They are attending US community colleges. Such colleges are sometimes called junior colleges. They offer two years of education above the secondary, or high school level.
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Map of community colleges located in the U.S. (Courtesy of American Association of Community Colleges) |
At the end of their study program, they receive adocument of completion called a certificate. Otherstudents work toward an associate degree in traditionalacademic subjects like science or history. Somestudents with associate degrees move on to attend afour-year college or university. They may have only two years of study leftbefore they receive a bachelor’s degree.
Many educational experts agree that saving money is a good reason toconsider a community college. The American Association of CommunityColleges says a public two-year college costs an average of $3,000 a year.
A student at a four-year public college may pay more than $8,500 a year forclasses and user fees.
International students may need more preparation in English before entering afour-year school in the United States. For example, Istref Montgomery cameto the US from Kosovo in 2006. He soon will graduate from the University of Maryland’s University College.
But he did not begin his college-level education at theuniversity. First, he spent three years at a Marylandjunior college with -- by chance -- the same name ashis last name. He worked to improve his English atMontgomery College for a year. Then, for the next twoyears, he attended classes in basic subjects.
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Students at Montgomery College, a junior college in Maryland. |
Some international students at two-year colleges needto find a place to live. Most community colleges do notprovide student housing on their grounds. But Mr.Montgomery had a home nearby.
I’m Bob Doughty.
And I’m Anna Matteo. You are listening to As It Is from VOA Learning English.
In the first part of the show, we talked about the value of community collegesin the U.S. Next, we will hear about the Community College InitiativeProgram. It is a program that targets international students who may not havemany education choices.
Education reporter Jerilyn Watson has more.
Community College Initiative Program
Today we tell about a program at some American community colleges forstudents from several nations. It is called the Community College InitiativeProgram. It is for students from areas underserved in education and skillstraining.
Since 2007, about 2,100 students have taken part in the program. TheBureau of Educational Affairs of the U.S. State Department provides for theirneeds.
Three consortia, or organizations, of community colleges administer theprogram with the Bureau of Educational Affairs. Schools across the countrytake part.
Syedur Rahman is project director of the Community College Consortium ledby Northern Virginia Community College. He says United States communitycolleges offer possibilities for foreign students whose governments cannot doso. He says many students in poor, rural areas do not have an equal cha nceto succeed.
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St. Joseph Hospital Community College in the U.S. |
“So there are many students, students who don’t haveopportunities like those who are some of the majorcities.
They’re underserved by the government in education, inhealth, you know, in services like opportunities forentrepreneurship.
So that is what’s meant by underserved…. One of theunique aspects of the U.S., and more so in terms of theCommunity College Initiative Program, is to reach out tothose kids ((young people)) and to see if, given the opportunities, that theyalso will excel.”
At the start of their stay in America, students deepen their knowledge ofEnglish and learn about their schools’ surroundings. They have several fieldsof study to choose from including information technology, businessadministration the hotel and visitors industries, media and journalism,engineering and agriculture.
Students attend classes and study at school. But, they also are active in otherschool activities. They hold internships at businesses and nonprofitorganizations.
Students also give presentations about their countries to other students andlocal communities. And they do many hours of community service.
You can get more information about the program from the Public AffairsSection of the United States Embassy in your country.
I’m Jerilyn Watson.
And I’m Anna Matteo. Tune in again tomorrow for another As It Is from VOALearning English.
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