(Photo by: Vaughn Wheat)

Immigrating from one country to another isn’t an easy decision to make, but over 1,000 students from more than 106 different countries choose to take that leap to attend Johnson County Community College.

With the help of The International And Immigrant Student Services (IISS), students can make that transition with guiding resources. Kim Steinmetz The Director of IISS, and the rest of the staff members support those born outside of the United States with applying to JCCC. Making sure the IISS creates a “caring, culturally aware space that understands their backgrounds, needs, and the unique challenges they face.”

Staff members at the IISS have all either lived abroad or are from another country. Working as the director of IISS for the past ten years, Steinmetz journey with international education began while studying abroad in Mexico where she became a Spanish speaker and travelled through southern Mexico. She lived with four different host families and is now deeply committed to her work as a guiding light for international students.

“Many people don’t realize how extensive the documentation and vetting process is…,” Steinmetz said.

International students go through a tough process to meet the requirements for their status. For F-1 international students, they have to be able to show the “financial ability to support themselves while studying, meet language proficiency standards, and comply with strict immigration status requirements.”

Steinmetz feels strongly about the level of success that her students can achieve. “We believe our students are bright, capable, and have the potential to shape the communities and world around them,” Steinmetz said.

This is what drives them to keep doing the work to guide these students and help them, whether it is with practicing a new language or enrolling in classes. The IISS strives to make international education available to anyone from anywhere in the world.