Congratulations to Hiroyuki "Hiro" Inoue, a recent graduate of Citrus College.

A 23-year-old international student from Japan, Hiro enrolled at the college in 2020. "There are at least five universities I am interested in transferring to, and Citrus College has connections with all of them," the kinesiology major said. "This is an absolutely great community college. It was attractive to me because I wasn't sure which university to choose."

Two years after joining the campus community, Hiro began working in the Citrus College International Student Center (ISC). He says this decision changed his entire student experience. "Before I started working there, I wasn't very active on campus," he explains. "After becoming an employee, I started participating in ISC activities and planning ISC events."

Hiro says the most challenging aspect of being an international student has been making friends. "English is my second language, so sometimes I struggle when talking to resident students. We also have different backgrounds and perspectives, so sometimes I feel culture shock," he said. "Participating in ISC events was what I enjoyed most about Citrus College. They were great opportunities to build a community and make new friends."

The ISC also helped Hiro navigate Citrus College's academic landscape. "All of the employees in the ISC are kind and supportive," he explains. "I've never heard of another college that helps international students as much as they do at Citrus College."

After transferring to a four-year university this fall, Hiro is hoping to earn a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. His ultimate goal is to pursue a career as a physical therapist and sports trainer. However, he won't forget his time at Citrus College. "I'm so glad I was part of the Owl family," he says.

Good luck in the future, Hiro! The Citrus College community is rooting for you!