Tacoma Community CollegeInternational Student Programs

TCC is nationally recognized for providing high quality, affordable,

and transferable education in a safe and convenient location

TCC provides an easy online application process with

quick turnaround of your I-20

TCC is committed to exceptional student engagement and success

TCC is ranked 1st in the state and 17th in the nation of America’s 50 Best Community Colleges

Over 300 international students from 30 different countries attend the collegeeach quarter.

Tacoma Community College–A Global Community While studying at TCC you’ll meet students, faculty and staff from all over the world each with their own unique experiences and learning styles to share.

Sister SchoolsThe city of Tacoma is an internationally ranked port city with eleven sister cities in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. TCC has sister-school relationships with the following institutions in Japan: University of Kitakyushu and Tohoku Foreign Language College; in South Korea: Kunsan National University, Kunjang College, Chungkang College, and Sohae College; in China: AGTA and Changle #2 Middle School.

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Welcome to Tacoma Community CollegeExcellence. Innovation. Diversity. These values define the Tacoma Community College experience.

About the CollegeEstablished in 1965, Tacoma Community College (TCC) is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Col-leges as a 2-year public college.

Areas of study include:• University Transfer Programs leading to a

Bachelor’s Degree (2+2)• Professional/Technical Programs• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)/College Bridge• Fast Track Dual Degree Program (High

School completion)• Customized Short-Term Programs

Centrally LocatedLocated in the south Puget Sound region, between Seattle and our state’s capital

Olympia, Tacoma is at the center of a di-verse cultural, recreational and commercial environment. The temperate climate of the Pacific Northwest, with warm sunny sum-mers and cool winters, allow visits to the

TacomaSeattle

Los Angeles

San FranciscoChicago

Washington DC

New York

MiamiHouston

Denver

Affordable Accommodations Many of our international students choose to live with an American host family through our affordable Homestay program. Host families are committed to helping international students enjoy life in the United States. It’s a great way to settle into your new life here. International students often find apartments or share houses with other students after they have settled into the community.

Homestay Program:Homestay is a wonderful opportunity to study, practice English, and learn about American culture. Hosts introduce students to the surrounding community, offering advice about everyday activities such as

using the transit system, shopping, and meeting new people. Students who choose this arrangement find it comfortable and affordable.

Complete HomestayA furnished private room, with internet access in the student’s bedroom, utilities, and three meals per day provided by the host. Breakfast and lunch prepared by the student, dinner prepared by the host.

Bed & Breakfast HomestayA furnished private room, with internet access in the student’s bedroom, utilities, and breakfast. For all other meals, students purchase and prepare their own food.

Build lifetime relationships with your

American family.

beach, boating and hiking in summer, and skiing and snowboarding in winter.

TCC’s main campus puts you near the heart of Tacoma, close to theaters, museums, coffee houses, waterfront restaurants, interesting shops and a vibrant international district. Our campus has a new science & engineering building, information technology building, learning resource center, art gallery, student center, fitness center and gymnasium, athletic fields, children’s center and much more!

Apartment Placement:TCC’s Housing Coordinator can refer students to apartments near campus using information provided on the applica-tion form. Students must be at least 18 years of age to live in an apartment. We strongly recommend that all new interna-tional students live in the TCC Homestay Program for at least 1 quarter.

Airport Pickup:A TCC representative can meet arriving students and take them directly to their new homes.

Housing Information Available at:www.tacomacc.edu/internationalstudents/abouttcc/housinginformation

The McMillan family with international students Mio Ozaki and Kwan Hiu Wong.

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Academic Programs University Transfer Programs (2+2)University Transfer Programs allow international students who want to earn a Bachelor’s degree from an American university to complete the first 2 years of coursework at TCC – the same basic education you would get at a famous university with several notable advantages:

• No TOEFL/IELTS/SAT required

• TCC’s average class size is 25, compared to several hundred at the freshman and sophomore level at a university

• Lower cost – TCC’s total costs are less than 1/2 of a public university and 1/3 of a private university

• Guaranteed transfer agreements with several 4-yr universities (see page 6)

• Better customer service with personalized attention

• Free tutoring and support services

Economical – Allows students to save both time and money by completing their high school education concurrently with the first two years of college.

International Students can complete their high school diploma and Associate degree concurrently, saving up to two years of school and thus fast-

tracking their academic studies. Students enrolled in this program will take college level classes at TCC, and receive dual credit for their high school diploma from Washington State while earning a two-year Associate degree for transfer.

AccountingAmerican Ethnic & Gender StudiesAnthropologyArtBiochemistryBiologyBotanyBusinessChemistryChiropracticCommunicationsComputer EngineeringComputer ScienceCriminal JusticeDentistryEarth ScienceEconomicsEducationEngineering

EnglishEnvironmental ScienceExercise ScienceForensic ScienceForestryFrenchGeneticsGeologyGermanHistoryHumanitiesInternational BusinessJapaneseMathematicsMedicineMicrobiologyMolecular BiologyMusicNursing-BSN

Nutrition and Oriental MedicineOccupational TherapyOceanographyPharmacyPaper Science & EngineeringPhilosophyPhysical EducationPhysical TherapyPhysicsPolitical SciencePre-NursingPsychologySociologySpanishUrban PlanningVeterinary MedicineWildlife BiologyWorld LanguagesZoology

TCC offers the following areas of study:

Fast – TCC’s dual degree program will enable International Students to complete their Associate degree up to two years faster than the traditional route.

Earn Two Degrees – International Students that successfully complete this program will leave TCC with a Washington State high school diploma and an Associate degree that can be transferred to many 4-year universities across the United States.

Advantages of TCC’s Fast Track Dual Degree Program

High School Diploma UniversityTransfer

Associates Degree

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Learn English at TCC TCC’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP)/College Bridge program provides a strong foundation in written and spoken English. We have a wide variety of classes designed to improve students’ English ability, and also prepare them for American classroom culture.

Advanced EAP classes earn college-level credit, which may apply directly to your Associate’s degree. Students can also take certain other college classes while completing advanced EAP classes.

Special Advantagesof TCC’s EAP Program

TOEFL and/or IELTS Scores areNOT Required

• A complete program from beginning through advanced levels

• College Bridge – gradual introduction of college courses during your EAP studies

• Highly qualified and caring teachers

• Free tutoring

• Unconditional acceptance to TCC

TCC EAP students enjoy full access to all college facilities, programs, services and activities.

Highly Qualified Teachersand Free Tutoring All instructors have at least a Master’s degree in teaching English as a Second Language and considerable experience teaching EAP at the college level. Tutors are available to give extra assistance to EAP students. Along with our Language Labs and Writing Center, the tutors are part of an extensive student support network available free of charge to all TCC students.

The EAP program is an integral part of the college, so TCC EAP students enjoy full access to all college facilities, programs, services and activities.

Experience and learn new things outside the classroom.There is a lot of life outside the classroom at Tacoma Community College. Student clubs, varsity and intramural sports, student government, the school newspaper and numerous community service projects provide plenty of opportunities for involvement.

Intensive English/College Bridge Pathway

Intensive English College Bridge Full Time College

FULL TIME EAP Bridge LevelsLevels 1-3 2-3 hours of English per day, plus optional4 hours of English per day college level courses which may apply towards your degree

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University Transfer Students that complete their Associate degree from TCC have several transfer options to choose from, including several excellent guaranteed transfer schools. An academic advisor can help you make the best decision based on your goals!

Recent TCC graduates have successfully transferred to the following schools. (Universities in bold are on the US News and World Report 2010 USA Best Universities List.)

• Arizona State University (rank: 121)• California State University• City University of Seattle• Cornell University (rank: 15)• Eastern Oregon University• Georgia Institute of Tech. (rank: 35)• Hodges University• Illinois State University

Located in downtown Tacoma, a few minutes from TCC. For more information visit: www.tacoma.uw.edu

Located close to TCC, PLU offers a guaranteed scholarship of $4,000 to all TCC international students who qualify. For more information visit: www.plu.edu

Selected as an “outstanding business school” by the Princeton Review, TCC international students with a 3.0 and above GPA are eligible to apply for the Chancellor’s Merit Ward. For more information visit: www.iusb.edu

Located approximately 3 hours south from TCC, the beautiful campus of PSU offers several degree transfer options. For more information visit: www.pdx.edu

Built on Chapman University’s 150-year legacy of academic excellence, several great transfer programs are available to TCC international students. For more information visit: www.brandman.edu

With several locations in Washington state CWU provides scholarship opportunities for qualified TCC international students. For more information visit: www.cwu.edu

Guaranteed Admissions Partner SchoolsInternational students who have completed an Associate’s degree at TCC and meet certain conditions are guaranteed admission at the following partner schools:

2 years at TCC+ 2 years at a University

= American bachelor’s degree• Indiana University – Bloomington

(rank: 71)• New York University (rank: 32)• Pacific Lutheran University• Southern Utah University• Strayer University• The Ohio State University (rank: 53)• University of Florida (rank: 47)• University of Illinois (rank: 39)

Located in the friendly heartland of Minnesota, Concordia offers a guaranteed minimum scholarship of $5,000 to all TCC international students who quality. For more information visit:www.concordiacollege.edu

Qualified TCC students can earn a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering without leaving the TCC campus. For more information visit: www.stmartin.edu

• University of Maryland (rank: 53)• University of Minnesota (rank: 61)• University of Oregon (rank: 108)• University of Utah (rank: 115)• University of Washington – Seattle (rank: 42)• University of Washington – Tacoma• Washington State University (rank: 106)

“Hello, my name is Gyeong-A (G.A.) Kang. I’m an Arts and Science student from South Korea. I came to Tacoma Community College to prepare myself for a four-year institution and improve my English skills. While attending TCC, I worked on the Multicultural/Education Team and organized cultural celebrations on campus to increase cultural awareness. I became a Vice President of Scholarship & Treasurer for Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society) and Treasurer for International Student Organization Club on campus to promote cultural exchanges and community services on campus. I also taught Korean language to American students to share Korean heritage with the community. Various courses I took inspired and introduced me to different perspectives that expanded my understanding in my major, International Relations. Through the experiences at TCC, I had an opportunity to appreciate the diversity in the American society and passion in each individual.”

10:14 a.m.Four heads are better than oneWorking on a group project in the library

5:21 p.m.Studying at home with a little help from my furry friend

7:30 a.m.Starting the day with a bowl of cereal Reading the newspaper enhances my English skills

9:45 a.m.A bit of caffeine gets me going for the rest of the dayGetting a cappuccino in the cafeteria

3:27 p.m.Waiting for the bus to go homeThe transit center is right on campus

A day in the life of aTCC International Student

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Contact:Tacoma Community CollegeInternational Student Services and Programs6501 South 19th Street, Building 11Tacoma, Washington USA 98466Phone +1.253.566.5190Email international@tacomacc.eduwww.tacomacc.edu/internationalstudents

We hope to see you soon!“I’ve had the pleasure of working with international students from all over the world for the past few years. I believe international students will benefit from a quality learning experience at TCC. We have experienced faculty at TCC, innovative technology and numerous resources for international students to be successful at our college. International students enrich our campus climate by teaching us about their unique culture and overseas experience. “

– Reuth Kao, Coordinator of International Programs

Tacoma Community College does not discriminiate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities.

Applying to Tacoma Community College is easy!Step 1: Fill out the online applicationApplying to TCC is fast and easy with our secure online application.

Some important tips to ensure proper and timely processing of your application:

• Be sure to complete ALL sections of the application

• Send all supporting documents (by fax, mail or email) – Please use only one method to send us your documents

• Provide a bank statement in English showing sufficient funds for the first year of study

• Include copies of high school or college transcripts in English

Photo by Rachel Payne

Step 2: Receive your I-20 from TCCOnce we receive your application, we will send you an I-20 within 48 hours.

Step 3: F-1 Visa Interview Once you receive your I-20 contact your local U.S. consulate to schedule a visa interview.

Step 4: Arrive in the USA After you receive your F-1 visa, please contact us so that we can prepare for your arrival.

Be sure to visit our website for additional information: www.tacomacc.edu/internationalstudents/applynow

Need assistance? Contact our Admissions Specialist, at 253-566-5190 or email international@tacomacc.edu

www.tacomacc.edu/internationalstudents/applynow