New Immigrants, New Language
Flora and Rinat Bikbaev’s lives were changed dramatically when they won the lottery. Unlike the state lotteries most Americans are familiar with, the lottery the Bikbaevs won did not mean riches, but freedom. In 2010, they were selected through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, a congressionally-mandated program that awards up to 55,000 “diversity visas” to citizens of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
The Bikbaevs, who hail from the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan in central Asia, spent 20 years trying to emigrate to the U.S. – out of millions who hope to be selected for diversity visas each year. So it was that they came to America and, through family connections, settled in Roanoke as their new home.
Rinat, who was a computer programmer in Uzbekistan, obtained a job in a packaging plant. Though grateful for the work, he was eager to improve his English skills in order to find a better job. He and Flora (who was an accountant) pursued free English classes through a local church, where they were told of National College’s new English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program (see below) and National’s Cultural Awareness Grant. They are now studying English at National College along with students from four other countries in the new program, which looks forward to a new incoming class of students next month.
The couple feel they are getting much better English instruction at National than they had previously taken in their native country. “Yes, the teachers [are] very good,” says Rinat. “Here in this college [they] use more Internet…[and] digital equipment, it’s very good.”
The Bikbaevs say they have already felt the improvement in their English-speaking after a month in the program, and each day grow more comfortable. As they adjust to their new home, they have found much to enjoy in the Roanoke area: the beautiful environment, the cultural opportunities – “shopping,” adds Flora with a laugh – they both agree that one thing about America stands out. “[My] favorite thing about living in the United States,” says Rinat earnestly, “It’s freedom.”
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at National College’s Roanoke Valley Campus provides a daily program of language study for students who want to improve their English language skills, or students who want to pass the TOEFL test.
The program has six levels of instruction, eight-week terms, and small class sizes. Help with tuition is possible for qualified applicants. Carpooling is often available with current students from Roanoke, Blacksburg and Salem. For more information, visit www.national-college.edu or contact Reem Osman at reosman@national-college.edu or 540-444-5263.
Important Websites:
U.S. International Student Information - www.educationusa.state.gov.EducationUSA centers are the U.S. State Department‘s network of over 400 advising centers in 170 countries designed to assist local students find the appropriate college or university in the United States. Click on the link below to find your center!
Global Health Insurance - www.hthworldwide.com
Airline Transportation Security and Allowable Carry-on Items - www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
Roanoke Region of Virginia - www.roanoke.org
Sister City Grant
(Roanoke Campus only)
The Sister City Grant is designed to recognize, award, and assist international students who wish to continue their studies in the United States, either in an academic program or English as a Second Language (ESL) program. The college will provide one Sister City grant per year to each of the following Sister Cities;
Wonju, Korea
Kisumu, Kenya
Pskov, Russia
Florianópolis, Brazil
Opole, Poland
Lijiang, China
Saint-Lô, France
Eligibility
International students must have a F1 or M1 Visa, must be a citizen of one of the cities listed above, must have a sponsor to cover housing and living expenses, cannot already reside in the United States, must be a high school graduate or have earned a GED and the student must have appropriate skills to enter an academic or ESL program.
Application Process
The following must be submitted to the college – completed international application or ESL application, the application fee, a letter of sponsorship, a recommendation of the embassy and the Sister City Grant application. The certification of receipt of the Sister City Grant Application will be based upon the date that it is received by the Director of International Programs.
Award
The grant may be used solely to pay tuition and fees. The grant covers these for one year of study in an academic or ESL program. The amount of the award can range from $0 - $11,300. The award year for the grant is defined as July 1 to June 30. The total amount of funds allocated by the college for the scholarship is $100,000 for the 2011-12 award year.
Recommendation letter from SISTER CITY COMMITTEE IN ROANOKE, Roanoke, VA
Apply to National College
International Application Instructions
Apply to National College ESL program
Cultural Awareness Grant
(ESL Program only)
Description
The Cultural Awareness Grant is designed to recognize, award, and assist non-governmentally/agency sponsored international students who wish to enroll in the English as a Second Language program.
Eligibility
International students that are enrolled in the ESL program that are not sponsored by their country's embassy or other governmental agency may apply for this grant. Eligible students may apply for the Cultural Awareness Grant through the Student Service office.
Award Amount
The grant will be paid in increments of $1000 per term with a maximum award of $6000. These funds are applied to tuition and fees while the student is enrolled at National College. For students enrolled in the Directed Study portion of the ESL Program, the grant will be paid in increments of $500 per term.
Application Process
The student will make application for the Cultural Awareness Grant using the Application provided by the College.
Exclusions
Students supported by governmental or other agencies are not eligible for this grant. This grant cannot be received in conjunction with other institutional grants.
Processing
The completed application will be forwarded to the Administrative Services Center where eligibility will be reviewed, and if established, a grant will be awarded in an amount no greater than required to meet the student's direct cost of education.
Apply to National College
International Application Instructions
Apply to National College ESL program
