Great leaders emerge from international student experiences and programs.
War in the Pacific would likely have never happened had Japanese leaders listened to the sage advice of Admiral Yamamoto, a former international student at Harvard University, who observed, “I would never invade America, there is a gun behind every blade of grass.”
COVID-19 dealt a major setback to international student enrollment at Centralia College, and colleges state, national and worldwide. Sadly, COVID-19 has negatively affected the mindset of senior college officials, who are seriously considering shutting down the international student program at Centralia College.
That would be a major setback, short and long-term, to Centralia College and greater Lewis County. Centralia College students pay one of three tuition rates: in-state (basic), out of state (double) and international student (triple).
An important economic lesson was learned years ago when I had a merchandising route serving convenience and grocery stores. Many times, no commission was earned when credits were issued to grocers for unsold seasonal promotional items. Happily, income was generated from sales at convenience stores; impressing upon me that the small account was equally important as the large account.
In comparison, international student triple tuition (small account) is as valuable as in-state basic tuition (major account) for operational finances (budget) at Centralia College.
Several directors helped the international student program evolve and mature. CC’s international student program has a strong foundation, which will serve it well into the future. College officials do not need to abandon the program. They need only to revive the international student program post-Covid toward continued success.
Many memories from hosting international students are to be noted, individually and collectively. Some have been a host family a year or two. Others, a few years; and, a select few, for several years. All have treasured stories to share.
Our international student experience began with two college students when we lived in Taiwan. English comprehension increased immensely, influencing their careers.
One became a successful international wood products businessman; and the other, after 30 years of diplomatic service, is an ambassador for the Republic of China.
Years later, we became a host family once again when our daughter was in high school, and we took in a high school senior from Hong Kong. Upon learning that we had a community college, she stayed on to attend Centralia College and asked if her friend could stay with us, too. That led to 15 years hosting international students, summer students from Okinawa and Taiwan, and college students from Brazil on a work visa program.
A host family patron serves many roles: cook, mentor, translator, problem solver and much more For example, concerns and problems encountered by international students were often resolved by my wife, who is trilingual (Cantonese, Mandarin, and English).
Often, upwards of a dozen students (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) would join us for supper and introduce other international students to home-cooked meals, as my wife is an excellent cook.
Lifelong memories and relationships remain after the host family — international student experience. Several of our students communicate with us 20-plus years later. Forever friendships between students are another international student bonus. Beautiful marriages and children are a fruitful blessing of the international student program.
Our son, for example, married a Japanese international student at Centralia College. They live and work in Yokohama. We are blessed with three beautiful grandchildren.
An international student married an employee, and student, at Centralia College. Their son will soon become a Running Start student at Centralia College. Together, they represent the best and brightest in Lewis County.
James Thielges
Centralia
