Prospective International Students

As far as academics are concerned, I was really impressed by the availability of professors, their passion, and dedication. One of the reasons why I was academically successful at Foothill was that I was well taught and guided by my teachers. Also, the students here— from a wide variety of cultures—made my learning experience fun. I did not have much trouble blending into that cosmopolitan community especially since the staff and teachers were helpful and welcoming, always providing guidance and support.

Foothill was a very different, yet amazing journey. You get to meet people from different cultures, countries, and continents. Every single individual here is very approachable and friendly, including the teachers. The system allows you to explore different academic fields, helping you to find the right major. I would advise new students to get involved and experience the social life around the campus. It’s never too late to try new things, such as joining clubs, student government, playing sports, and participating in cultural events. 

Attending a community college like Foothill really helped me clarify my major for further studies. My time here allowed me to calmly choose the right path by taking classes in different fields while also saving money.

Compared to other colleges, Foothill offers a wider variety of challenging classes. You can also benefit from Silicon Valley resources through internships, professors, workshops and guest speakers.

Foothill is not just a place where I developed academically, but also personally. The location adds to the experience by exposing you to a wide range of cultures and people. I would not have developed as much had I stayed in my own country.

Activities on and off campus played a big role in my growth. I attended the Harvard Project in Manila during my first year, and that experience strongly influenced my dedication during my final year and after I transferred.

As an international student, it can be hard to adapt to a new culture, but through extracurricular activities I met friends for life. As part of student government, I played an important role in how our school serves students.

Another impactful experience was Model United Nations. Through MUN, I competed with schools like Harvard, UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC San Diego, which taught me a lot about debating and negotiating.

Many people say Silicon Valley offers many opportunities, and that is true, but I believe the atmosphere is what benefits students the most. The community is highly motivated and intellectually driven.

People in Mountain View are not only kind and friendly, but also sophisticated. It is a place that keeps you motivated. Above all, it is safe, which is especially important for international students.

Looking back at my journey, I can truly say it was everything I hoped for — a home away from home. At Foothill, I met people from all over the world and found a family among diverse cultures.

One of my favorite memories was when I felt homesick and my roommates from Sweden bought Indian food to share family-style. That was when I realized you don’t always have to be home to feel at home.

I never imagined I would have a professor who also works at Google. Professor McDaniel taught practical programming and assigned challenging projects. He would say, “I want to push you because that is how it is in reality at Google.”

He is highly knowledgeable and professional, yet very patient with students. I learned far beyond what a typical computer science class offers.

The best part of studying here is the diverse student body. Meeting and studying alongside people from different cultures has taught me a lot about the world.

As president of the Indonesian Club, I had the opportunity to represent my culture in a multicultural environment. This experience helped me develop a global perspective.

I met many teachers who were always willing to help and inspire me. They are passionate, enthusiastic and genuinely care about their students.

Beyond academics, Foothill offers many opportunities to get involved in campus life, including clubs, student government and events.

All of my instructors were incredibly engaging, and I truly enjoyed my classes. In my abnormal psychology class, I appreciated how connected it was to real-world experiences.

My professor, a practicing forensic psychologist, shared valuable insights from his work. My time at Foothill was truly unforgettable.

My dream was to attend a top-ranked university, but I did not want to burden my family financially. After learning about Foothill’s strong transfer reputation, I decided to apply.

I saved money and successfully transferred to Purdue University to pursue engineering. The campus, affordability and opportunities made my experience exceptional.