Coming from Vietnam, Di Bui found herself needing to fully understand the US education system before jumping straight into a four-year university. That’s what led her to GWC. “As an international student, it gave me time to adjust academically, culturally, and personally,” she recalls. “The smaller class sizes made it easier to connect with professors, ask questions, and really understand the material. It felt less overwhelming and more supportive, which helped me grow at my own pace before transferring.”

And grow, she did. By Bui’s final semester at GWC, she was ready to level up. “I was managing a heavier course load, staying organized, and working as an International Student Assistant in the International Student Program department,” she says. “Being trusted to support other international students while balancing my own academics made me realize I had grown so much.”

Counselors and ISP staff helped Bui every step of the way — picking a major and figuring out the kind of campus experience that’ll fit her best. Course planning was a huge part of that process. “My international student counselor, Zainab, was incredibly kind and helped me plan my classes each semester, so I was always on track for transfer. Because of her support, the transfer process felt clear and stress-free,” she says.

Bui is now studying at California State University, Fullerton, which has a formalized partnership with GWC — the signing of which she was able to attend.

Through GWC, Bui already knew how to manage her time, stay organized, and reach out for help. Classes at CSUF were faster-paced, and you had to be more independent, but she was prepared to take on the challenge. “Honestly, a lot of the skills I use now came from outside the classroom at GWC. Working at the ISP office really taught me time management and communication, because I had to balance school while helping other students and staying professional,” she says.

Being there in person made it feel real. I got to meet a lot of CSUF representatives and even the CSUF president, which was honestly pretty surreal,” she says. “It made me feel welcomed and supported even before officially starting at CSUF.”