International students contributed $20 billion to the U.S. last year.

Danita Kurtz, the International Student Coordinator, went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in late February for the Institute of International Education Fair.

“Schools welcome international students,” Kurtz said.

It was the first time that a Cerritos College representative went to the fair that helped schools give information on enrollment in the U.S. and Canada in order to gain more international students from Vietnam.

“The reason why all these [local community colleges] have major rates of international students is because they recruit students,” Kurtz said.

California is second to New York in housing international students.

International Student Association President, Jihyun Park, feels that more international students enrolled at Cerritos College can solve the budget crisis.

 “International students pay $247 dollars per unit. Out of that, $221 is called the Non-Residential tuition fee and that goes directly to the school’s budget,” Park said.   

Kurtz believes that Cerritos College should be more of an international student friendly school.

“It’s crucial for us to be exposed to other countries so we can make connections with people of different cultures,” Kurtz said.

Park agrees with Kurtz.

“As the president of the ISA, I try to help international students with anything such as housing and any other problems or concerns. I think other students should join in order to help international students,” Parks said.