Lily Tran first came to GWC with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in finance and building a career in the US. “My biggest concerns were the transfer process and whether I could adapt to a new academic and social environment,” says Tran. “On the process side, I was worried about making sure my I-20 transfer was done correctly and whether my credits would transfer smoothly. I remember being anxious about deadlines and paperwork because one small mistake could affect my legal status.”

With the Transfer Center’s support, Tran would learn that she had nothing to worry about. “They hosted application workshops that walked us step by step through how to complete the Cal State application,” she says.

Meetings with her counselor and work at the International Student Office helped Tran define her long-term goals clearly. “Once I shared my career interests,my counselor helped me understand how my major, university choice, and work experience could support those goals,” she says. “It helped me see transfer as part of a bigger plan, and that mindset shaped how I prepared for university.”

When Tran arrived at CSUF’s campus, she realized how valuable her foundation at GWC was — especially with time management, communication, and confidence. “Working as a student assistant especially helped me learn how to be responsible, professional, and proactive,” she says. “When I got to CSUF, I noticed I was more comfortable speaking up in class, communicating with professors, and managing multiple responsibilities.”

The best part: she never felt academically behind at the larger university. “The foundation classes [at GWC] helped me build strong critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills,” she says. “The smaller class sizes also allowed me to ask questions and really understand the material, which made upper-division classes feel less intimidating.”

“They also organized university tours and hosted transfer fairs where I could speak directly with representatives from different universities, including CSUF, and ask questions about majors, transfer requirements, and campus life.”