Anna Sophia Lagemann

When Anna Sophia Langemann graduated high school, she desired to discover something new. The answer would come when she visited her cousin, who was studying at Golden West College. 

“While visiting my cousin, I got introduced to the International Student Program staff and they have been amazing in welcoming me and providing me information about the application process,” she says. “Moreover, I was a big fan of Golden West College’s location. Being close to the beach while still being able to go explore nearby cities was a big must-have for me.”

Langemann decided to major in Business and Public Administration/Economics. She balanced her studies as a student-athlete, having joined the Orange Coast College Rowing Team as a coxswain for the Men’s Crew Team. Training would begin during the in-season at 6:15 a.m. when the athletes would sometimes go for runs on the beach. Afterwards, Langemann would attend class or work her shift as a student assistant at the Academic Success Center. 

“Throughout the year I spent with my rowing team, I learnt a lot how to deal with wins and losses, and learnt what it meant to trust your teammates,” she says. “Participating in extracurricular activities definitely helped me feel more connected to campus life.”

Through her classes, Langemann learned how important it was to ask for help, and GWC has no shortage of resources. “You can ask questions about visas or if you struggle in your classes,” she says. “Even professors — they will help you in every possible way. One of my professors even wrote me a letter of recommendation which I really appreciated!”

When she was navigating where she’d go next after her associate’s degree, Langemann received guidance from the Transfer Center and the International Student Office through the application process. Today, she’s studying business technology at the University of Miami.