El Camino College Research Paper

El Camino College I came to El Camino College two and a half years ago as an international student with F1 Visa. When I first came to a complete strange environment, I had cultural shock, especially language barrier. However, El Camino College provided ESL classes for international students after placement tests. By studying that class, I made a lot of friends, and my English got practiced well. More importantly, that class built my confidence to speak and write English. For a new beginner, ESL courses provided international students a good way of transition. After the first semester, I became more familiar with the campus resources such as library database and Learning Resources Center. These services are important and helpful to me,
not just academically. I gained some much knowledge from the database and journals, and I communicated with writing tutors about personal struggles and learning problems. I really appreciate these services provided by El Camino College. Except the academic learning, El Camino College helps me to decide my major and my life goals.
When I first came here, I always felt confused about my future. My parents wanted me to study accounting, and I had no concepts about it. I took economics class, and I looked my friend’s accounting book, I figured out that I didn’t like this major. I tried to find what I really want to do in my minds, and finally I chose child development major because I love children, and I want to use scientific methods and strategies to guide them in their early childhood. I feel that in El Camino College, every major is encouraged, and there are a variety of workshops to help students decide their majors. Also, it’s easy to change major here. So my life had a big change after changing majors. I took several child development classes, and they were amazing. More in the depth of this major, I found that this major needed practical skills. That stimulated my thought of volunteer works. The professors from Childhood Education department always send student informations about volunteer or workshops relate to children. So a lot of opportunities and resources are provided. In addition, GE classes enlighten me as well. English 1C, which is critical thinking, teaches me not to confine thought in a small area, but develops it a more general picture. I understand how American government functions in the Political science class, and accept different types of governments according to different situations. Also, history class doesn’t only teach me historical knowledge, the more is that what we can learn from these historical events. I think GE classes and major classes are both important for students to become more mature and responsible for their personal
lives. In conclusion, I enjoyed my five semesters in El Camino College. It brings me knowledge and personal growth. Precious memories will always keep in my minds.