Are you in that phase of your life when you are trying to decide what college to go to? I remember when I graduated high school in Sweden and I felt lost. I always knew that I wanted to move abroad from my home country. I wanted to get an international education, but I had no idea where I wanted to go. I began my search for a school that had what I was looking for. I wanted a warmer climate, a business program, affordable tuition, and a fun student life in a nice city. That is when I found a school that fulfilled all my requirements, Santa Barbara City College. Besides my personal requirements, SBCC comes with many other benefits as well.

SBCC Has Been Ranked #1 in the U.S.

Value Colleges ranked SBCC as the #1 community college in the U.S. three years in a row. SBCC offers great transfer agreements and transfer guarantees to four-year colleges or universities. It is a good idea to start your education at SBCC and get your transferable general education units or to earn your Associate’s Degree and save some money. SBCC has transfer guarantees with UC (University of California Colleges), CSU (California State Universities), and private universities. Tuition in California is very expensive, so taking classes to fulfill the same amount of units as you will need to continue your education for a Bachelor’s Degree at SBCC is a smart investment for your future.

Top 50 Best Value Community Colleges 2020 by Value Colleges

SBCC Offers Many Free Support Services to International Students

At SBCC you can find free tutoring in any field of study that will help you succeed in college. I have been getting a lot of help from the math tutors in the Math Lab, and from the Writing Center with my English essays. That has definitely helped me keep up with my grades. The Learning Resource Center has many workshops that can help you get the tools to succeed with your education at SBCC.

Cartwright Learning Resource Center

SBCC Has Smaller Classes

Another benefit of SBCC is that the class size is smaller than at larger universities. Smaller class sizes make it easier to be heard and seen by your professors, which many professors also like since they get to know you better and can provide you with the help you need. The professors at SBCC have scheduled office hours for you to come and talk to them and ask your questions.

Enjoy Extra-Curricular Activities on Campus

SBCC’s student life can be very busy if you want it to be, with many clubs, activities, and sports events for you to engage in. I am part of the SBCC Ambassadors events committee and I have met so many new friends from all over the world. We are all working together to create a welcoming environment on campus. You can check out the Ambassadors on Instagram to see what we are doing. By joining one of the approximately 30 student clubs or a sport, you make new friends that share the same interests. 

SBCC Ambassadors Instagram

SBCC Has One of the Most Beautiful Campuses in the U.S.

Lastly, I can not forget to mention the awesome location that makes SBCC very attractive. The campus is right by the ocean, with an amazing view of the harbor, the beaches, and the pier. Downtown Santa Barbara is great for shopping and eating at restaurants. There are many activities for you to engage in if you are into hiking, surfing, kayaking, or just exploring the beautiful nature that Santa Barbara offers. There are many activities you can do for free, and you can also make trips to California's top cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Free Things to Do in Santa Barbara

I hope you find these benefits helpful for your next decision when picking the right college for you. Here are some videos from other international students who talk about why you should go to SBCC and places to visit while being in Santa Barbara.