Many students and faculty have undergone a huge adjustment having instruction online because of COVID-19.
Some students are having a harder time than others in this pandemic, as international students have expressed their financial concerns due to paying more for classes than most students who are U.S. residents.
International student from Vietnam and nursing major, Tam Pham said through the Citrus Mobile App she e struggles with classes being online.
Pham said she is fine with classes like history, politics going online but not for the classes require labs.
She also said she wishes she was back home to Vietnam and taking her online classes there.
“At least I am with my family, with my parents,” Pham said. “But I am not lucky when my flight has been cancelled and the reason is COVID-19 spread.”
Pham said that as an international student she has to pay more for her classes. Her fees are often more than $1,000 per class without government assistance.
Pham said she is angry and frustrated because she paid for classes that require labs and is no longer receiving those lab services.
Pham said her professors who teach classes with lab requirements have been understanding and have encouraged her. She said while she appreciates the encouragement she is still “not happy with what [she] spent.”
She said she has received no notice about receiving a refund for her lab classes.
Dean of Enrollment Services Gerald Sequeira Ph. D., oversees the International Student Center.
“The college has not made a decision regarding fees,” Sequeira said in an email on April 2. “The Chancellor authorized the refund of enrollment fees over the weekend and asked colleges to review other fees.”
Sequeira said he hopes to have information out to students soon.
Sequeria said international students like Pham who can’t go home should reach out to the International Student Center where they can find more information on who to contact, housing, and other resources for students in need.
“The [Citrus College] site includes information on housing and emergency aid [including international students],” Sequeria said. “Our goal is to continue to add resources throughout the semester.”
