I like the college for its simple educational system and great consistency of offered courses. As for me, I am very satisfied with the courses I take at the college. Given amazing opportunity to learn more about American culture and history, I took American Government and Democracy and Intro to Theatre and Film classes along Business courses. Even though my major is Business, I am very interested in politics and law.

The faculty and the students in college are very friendly and helpful. They are always willing to assist students with course schedules, to provide necessary information and to give their warm advices. There are several centers that help students on their studies, so it seems that in existence of writing and tutoring centers no single student is going to fail any of his classes.

Moreover, Riverland Community College is rich in extra curriculum activities and clubs. I am personally a member of International Student Club and Amnesty International US. I try to be involved in as many clubs as possible, though doing community service and participating in outside activities are also of my primary interests. I enjoy volunteering in Austin Public Library and in American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Consequently, I like studying at Riverland Community College, because this college is worth being chosen for the place to continue your higher education and gain valuable knowledge.

Personally, I want to express my giant gratitude to all my instructors, workers of Admission Office and endless love and respect to our wonderful and irreplaceable international advisor Mel Morem.

My dream was and still is to study in the USA. My dream came true this year. In December 2008 I applied for Global UGRAD. I took part in this contest of IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board) and was selected for participation in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States Department of State and administered by IREX.

Being a student at Riverland is a wonderful experience. Actually is the way you make your experience. But this is another story. Initially I didn’t want to come to Riverland. I was happy to know I won the contest, but my happiness vanished when I found out my location. I wanted to quit the chance. I wrote to the IREX Senior Program Officer, telling her I’m disappointed in the location they chose for me. I judged it without knowing it. With the help of my parents, who gave great advice, I realized that was not a chance to be missed.

Here I am, at Riverland College, I simply love it. And yes, it is the way you make it. I am a full time student, enjoying the courses offered at Austin Campus, such as Financial Accounting, Personal Financial Management and Planning and Popular Culture.

I am a positive, hard-working girl, and every day I struggle for my dreams, I walk on the path of life with my head up, trying to be the best in everything that I do. Riverland and its teachers and advisers, all try to make everything better, just for you. They are focusing on individuals. This way you feel more special and responsible to be a good student.

I successfully completed a series of trainings in Business and Leaderships: Leader Project, Richard Ivey School of Business, May 2009. Also I have an award of completion the Summer School of Business and Leadership, June 2009, Romania, Brasov. In April 2009, I took an award taking part in the International Symposium of Young Researchers, with a project called “Development of International Economic Relations in conditions of economic crisis”. I also have an award in a Literature International contest, Romania, July 2007. I am a journalist at my Faculty’s newspaper “REI-Action”.

Every day I try to acquire knowledge and the best experiences here, at the college. On campus, a lot of opportunities wait to be experienced. I mean about the student organizations you can get involved in and keep yourself busy, getting skills for your future career. Currently, I am the President of Amnesty International. Also, in the International Student Club I have the Vice-President role, which requires me to assist the President in coordinating club’s activities. As a Phi Theta Kappa provisional member recently I took part in the Fall Leadership Conference. Moreover, I had the chance to participate at the MN Student Leadership Summit, as a member of the Student Senate.

Back in my country I volunteered for the Association of European Trainers from Moldova. As a Riverland student, I took part in American Red Cross and Austin Public Library volunteer activities.

You can gather a valuable experience and meet great people at Riverland. It is an honor for me to be a part of an energetic team of young people who have the same values and ideas as I do.

Riverland helps me a lot. My long-term career prospects are enhanced by my experiences through the development of self-confidence, independence and cross-cultural skills.

Returning to “the other story” it is really up to you weather you want to have a good experience or not at Riverland. My experience is amazing.

“The best is yet to be”. ~Robert Brown~

My name is Olena. On January 2009 I came to Minnesota to study in Riverland Community College.

I came to Riverland because my Ukrainian university and Riverland Community College are sister colleges. The cause why I chose Riverland Community College and not another college is low tuition and good future prospects. Tuition is really low, even for international students.  As Riverland Community College is 2-year College I probably would like to continue my education at university or 4-year College. And for this case Riverland Community College suggest a bunch of good propositions. Riverland Community College cooperates with Mankato, Winona and Minnesota state universities. Also, I could freely transfer to any college inside of Minnesota.

As I’m international student is very important for me to have good advisor; I’ve never studied in America and maybe some educational nuances are not understandable for me. In Riverland Community College I met all this assistance and attention towards international students. I’m appreciating their help, especially relief of international advisor.

Hope to see you soon in Riverland Community College!

Hi!

I heard about RCC from a friend. She always talks about how RCC is friendly and good. So when i had some conflicts with my old college from the different state, I decided to transfer to RCC and found out that all the good things that she was talking about were correct. People here in MN are very frinedly and kind. They helped me with everything, such as helping me moving the house, giving me funitures etc etc. My experiences were so positive that i don’t even want to transfer from RCC anymore after I’m done with my AAS Degree.

Hi! My name is Yi Mon!

I came to USA about a year ago. I found out about RCC on the internet and RCC seems very very peaceful. So I called the International Office in RCC and met my international student advisor Mel Morem. She helped me a lot and she cares about all the international students.When I landed on the USA, the school picked me up. All of the teachers and staff in RCC are very kind and friendly. Shortly after i fell in love with American culture and freedom.

Hello!

I’m one of the international students who are studing at Riverland. Originally I’m from Ukraine (Europe). I thought, and still think, that I will have a better future in US working in Information Technology field then I would have working in Ukraine. Because in Ukraine, Information Technology, as a field of science, still developing very slowly.

Brief story

In 2005, I began studying at Kherson National Technical University (Ukraine) and chose Computer Systems and Networks as my major. In the spring of 2007, I decided to apply to an American college, and was accepted to Riverland Community college for the spring semester of 2008. I finished my first semester with a GPA of 3.92. My high GPA is not only a sign that I study and work hard to get good grades and do well, but also that I chose the right major for myself. I plan to graduate from Riverland Community College with my AAS degree in 2010. After I get my AAS degree, I would like to work towards a BAS in Computer Information Systems at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In the future, I plan to live and work in the US. I’m very happy that I have had the chance to study abroad in such a college as Riverland Community College, because it helps me broaden my horizons and make many new friends and professional connections that will be vital to my future.

Choosing a college and enrollment process

When I was choosing a college, I had lots of options, but I decision to transfer to Riverland. The reason was that my University (KNTU) and Riverland Community College (RCC) had a sister college relationships, which had to help me with transferring. My English teacher Nataliia Smirnova, who has been visiting college’s campus in 2002, told me about her good impression she got while were visiting the college. In October 2007 I decided to apply. Next month I got a letter, which stated that I was successfully accepted into RCC, and can start my education in spring semester 2008! I was surprised how fast I got an answer from RCC Admission. In many guidelines “How to apply for US College”, which you can find on the internet, it says that decision about your enrollment could take up to one year. I’m glad that it wasn’t that way in my case. RCC Admission is doing a great job and always ready to assist you.

Being part of the community

I feel good about beeing involved in many organizations we have at the college. I’m proud to be one of the members of the RCC Student Senate in Austin, where I represent the faculty and students of Computer Technology.

I‘m also involved on several other clubs and organizations at Riverland. I’m a member of Riverland’s Technology Round Table. We work to ensure that the technological funding that Riverland receives is spent wisely and well so that it will benefit the greatest number and for the greatest good. For example, we make sure that all college students and faculty obtain the newest and best available computer software and hardware to serve their needs.

As an International Student, I’m a member of the International Student Club, where I hold the position of president. As a president, I’m involved in planning and organizing activities for the club, such as community service activities, fund raising, and field trips.

I also volunteer for Friends of Ukraine – an organization of retired peace core volunteers who have served in Ukraine. I’m glad I can offer them my help by supporting their web page and by taking care of their database.

I use my computer skills to help Austin community by updating and providing a maintenance support for the web sites of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, ACES, and RCC International Student Club. I’m glad that my computer skills come in handy, and I’m able to help many people.

I’m exited to be a member of the Austin community and am willing to participate in as many organizations, clubs, and communities as I can.

International Student Club

I’m excited that we have Melodee Morem as our International Student Adviser. She helps as with all kind of problems we might have: whether it’s a question related to academics or a question about a life situation. .There is also an International Students Club. It provides a great deal of help to international students. The members of the club (the others international students) will help you to get from an airport to the student housing, they will make sure that you are comfortable while you are experience your first days in US, and might be having a culture shock. International students have a lot of fun. We are making trips to interesting places. All the club’s activities are sponsored by the college and that’s why they are free of charge for the students. We are having a great fun while learning American culture!

The ways Riverland is contributing to or will contribute to my success

As I have mentioned before, I participate in many student organizations, including the Student Senate and International Student Club. Participation in these organizations has greatly contributed to my growth personally and professionally. They help me develop as a leader and make changes. I want to say thank you to Riverland for giving me the opportunity to be part of those organizations. I also appreciate the hard work of the advisers of these organizations that support and help us when we need it.

I can’t thank enough to the people who helped me adapt into US culture and deal with cultural shock. Those people have made the greatest contributions in my success, so let me give thanks to the following people: Danielle Heiny, Melodee Morem, Gary Schindler, Melissa Siebke, Brenda Mandt.

I like that the college has a variety of different programs and degrees.  Also, I like that we have small classes. It gives the teacher a chance to work with each student individually. Riverland provides a personalized educational environment to each student. Riverland is also unique and exceptional because of its innovative ways of teaching, like ITV and on-line classes.

Riverland has a great deal of diversity from many countries all around the world. This has been and continues to be an amazing experience to find out more about other cultures and to understand people better.