World at our doorstep:
International Students

Internationality a GPC specialty

GPC is proud to be host to the largest international student population of any two-year college within the University System of Georgia including over 500 students on student visas from over 85 countries. ESIS celebrates our diverse cultures and welcome the world to our doorstep.

Entry Services for International Students eases transition period
 

While beginning college can be quite a daunting experience for all, imagine coming from another country where you speak a different language and have different cultural customs. Georgia Perimeter College’s international students often face enormous challenges adjusting both to the U.S. educational system as well as adjusting socially. Entry Services for International Students (ESIS) offers services and programming designed to meet the needs of our growing international student population.

ESIS is an important resource for GPC’s international student population. ESIS has a full staff that provides admission counseling for prospective international students as well as support for students who need assistance coping with the cultural, personal, academic or social adjustments facing them while in the U.S. A series of programming designed to address the special interests of international students is also offered throughout each semester. ESIS also provides specialized assistance with matters related to F-1 visa students’ immigration status as well as practical matters such as obtaining a social security number and international student health insurance.

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Peer Assistance Program:

Returning international students help newcomers learn the ropes

Who best knows the challenges a first-time international student might face upon arriving in the U.S.? ESIS believes our returning international students are well equipped to help identify concerns our new international students might have and help to provide assistance by offering support, friendship and encouragement. The International Peer Assistant (IPA) Program, founded for the purpose of offering peer support and informational assistance to international students new in the U.S., is currently in it’s third year. Students representing each of GPC’s campuses who have first hand experience and knowledge of how things work at GPC, serve as IPA’s. These volunteer students undergo a rigorous application process, receive leadership skills training, gain valuable experience, and have a lot of fun as well.

Helping new international students feel welcomed at GPC is one of the first priorities ESIS and IPA’s have each semester. The IPA’s host an International Welcome reception followed by a series of coffee hours each semester. These informal settings offer students a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere where they can meet other students, learn about clubs and services at GPC, and just relax and have fun.

IPA’s also assist at New International Student Information Meetings that are designed to orient F-1 visa students to GPC. They are available to help answer questions and address concerns that a newly arriving student might prefer to ask a peer. The IPA’s also attend the statewide Georgia International Leadership Conference held in January of each year.

Clubs provide companionship and cross-cultural exchange

Students from various countries or religious culutres have clubs at GPC. The International Club, Muslim Student Association and Asian Society are a few examples.

The purpose of the International Club is to allow international students to share their respective cultures with each other and with the GPC community.

Each year the International Club joins with the Student Life Association to organize the International Festival on the Clarkston Campus. Featuring music, dance costumes and food from around the world, the festival is one of the college’s most popular events.

Another favorite activity of the International Club is holding monthly mini festivals, in which one country is selected to be showcased. The events are history, geography and social science lessons.

ESIS Staff: 

Title	Name	Phone #
Director:	Richard Beaubien	678-891-3237
Coordinator Counseling and Programming:	Veronique Barnes	678-891-3236
International Student Advisor:	Kathy Quin	678-891-2572
International Admissions:	Deb Antin	678-891-3246
	Deborah	678-891-3239
International Records Coordinator:	Charlotte Hamm	678-891-3244
Secretary:	Sybil Davis	678-891-3256