International Visitors

A DAY IN GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

As a result of the exchange of several emails with Mr. Ken Bus, Director of International Education Programs of Glendale Community College, I stand on Wednesday April 30th at 8:15 am outside his office. The appointment is scheduled at 8:30 am, but I always like to arrive to an appointment before the appointed hour; in my opinion that habit reflects a respect for the host. But at that time, Mr. Ken was already there. I am impressed by his personality and height, but mostly, I am impressed by his warm welcome.

It was a long and rewarding day of meetings with different people from the academic body followed by various authorities and a very warm and pleasant lunch with Dr. Irene Kovala, President of Glendale Community, and her staff. After lunch, we continue the meetings with representatives of different areas of GCC, all of great interest for the purpose of my trip to the United States.

But what was the purpose of this trip to Arizona and particularly to the Glendale Community College?

The purpose is clear, simple and of transcendental importance for young and adult people from my country, Chile. That is, to accomplish an exchange program for students and academics that will allow the implementation of the concept of what a Community College is in Chile.

And why a Community College?

Because it is an educational program that provides opportunities to people who for different reasons, often economic, cannot study in a long-term program of 5 to 6 years like any given university career. In my country, the paradigm is to study a traditional career of 5 to 6 years at one of many universities. The people that cannot afford it then sometimes follow a technical career in a Technical Institute, but those credits are not recognized by universities, so the students can’t continue their studies to higher level careers.

What can I conclude of a day in Glendale Community College?

That all of GCC academic body and staff are professional individuals committed with the education of Glendale’s community, willing to share their experiences with other cultures, as in this case, Chile.

The day spent in Glendale Community College should open the possibility of an agreement between the two institutions that will allow the exchange of students and academic body in order to develop activities of knowledge between our countries, from the scientific and cultural fields to the linguistic one.

Thanks Dr. Irene Kovala, thanks Mr. Ken Bus, thanks fellow directors for your time and availability. I return to my country with a suitcase full of academic dreams; that I hope that with time will become a reality, reflecting our commitment of offering a better education and culture for our people.

                                                            Sergio Quezada González

                                                            Director General

                                                            Community College de Santiago

                                                            Universidad Central de Chile