<p>So i was just wondering how the social life is for an international student at like SMC or CCSF?
is it as bad as many people say it is?</p>
<p>I would suggest making friends in your classes, apartment block or at work. The lack of greek life & school spirit is really apparent in CCs. I would take it as if you were transferring to another high school in a different country to repeat grades 11-12. Friends won’t come if you don’t go looking. Most students at SMC and the like are more interested in going home after their classes than sticking around - that or they already have their established friend groups carried over from high school, either within SMC or LA. There is a mentality floating around wherein students feel like they don’t deserve to be there and are trying to make the 2 years go by as fast as possible in order to transfer. This is a mistake as these years in your life will probably be the most memorable in years to come. </p>
<p>Really, it isn’t so much as “bad social life” as it is missing out on certain things that come with a 4yr University, namely fraternities, sports, partying, dorm life.</p>
<p>SMC in particular is very close to the beach, korea town, hollywood, city and many scenic streets. There is no lack of places to hang out at once you do find a group of friends. If you aren’t the party/nightlife type, you may be better off as there are less distractions from social obligations and peer pressure.</p>
<p>I hear international students band with each other at SMC, due to having such a large presence yet being like-minded. Maybe you should talk to people at the orientations or first day of class.</p>
<p>In five words: it’s what you make it. Most CCs don’t have dorms and many don’t have sports teams, so you won’t have the residential aspect of it. It’s a fact of CC life.</p>
<p>With that being said, you can certainly have an active social life. Join or start clubs, get involved, participate in study groups and volunteer efforts, and be open to being friends who are from backgrounds that are much different from yours. Also, you’ll need to have a life and friends outside of school, because you will be a commuter and you’ll be living off campus.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If you get involved, you will be fine. CCSF does have a strong athletic program <a href=“https://www.ccsf.edu/NEW/en/educational-programs/school-and-departments/school-of-health-and-physical-education/physical-education-and-dance/athletics.html[/url]”>https://www.ccsf.edu/NEW/en/educational-programs/school-and-departments/school-of-health-and-physical-education/physical-education-and-dance/athletics.html</a> and clubs [Recognized</a> Clubs](<a href=“http://www.ccsf.edu/NEW/en/student-services/student-activities/icc/recognized-clubs.html]Recognized”>http://www.ccsf.edu/NEW/en/student-services/student-activities/icc/recognized-clubs.html) that you can be involved in. CCSF has about 1200 international students and a program set up for them to help them succeed <a href=“https://www.ccsf.edu/International/[/url]”>https://www.ccsf.edu/International/</a> .</p>
<p>SMC also has a large athletic department [Santa</a> Monica College](<a href=“http://www.smccorsairs.com/landing/index]Santa”>Santa Monica College) and has 3100 international students [International</a> Education Center](<a href=“http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/IEC/Pages/default.aspx]International”>http://www.smc.edu/EnrollmentDevelopment/IEC/Pages/default.aspx) .</p>
<p>Keep in mind this information regarding CCSF which was updated today - [CCSF</a> will lose accreditation in 2014 - SFGate](<a href=“City College of SF to lose accreditation in 2014”>City College of SF to lose accreditation in 2014)</p>