International Student Ambassadors are current international students at Lower Columbia College. International Student Ambassadors share about studying at LCC, living in Longview, and adjusting to life in the United States. We sat down with the 2026 ambassadors to learn more about them.
Ambassador: Yuna
Program of Study: Education
Hometown: Japan
Tell us about yourself!
Hi everyone! I’m Yuna, from Saitama, Japan. My favorite Japanese food is sushi, and I love raw fish. I like drawing, crocheting, crafting, and playing tennis and pickleball. I tried many things because I wanted to have some hobbies. I’m studying early childhood education, and I am a third year student in the bachelor’s program. Next year, I will do my student teaching : )
What do you do when not on campus?
When I am not on campus, I like to draw, take a walk around the lake, play badminton with my friends, and watch movies. I started watching Marvel movies, so I watch at least one movie every day. Also, I have had a picnic sometimes because the weather has been pretty good.
Why did you decide to study at LCC?
Originally, I wanted to study abroad, and a big reason was that my high school was a sister school of LCC. Also, Keiko, the international program staff, and a former principal visited Japan and kindly explained a lot about LCC to me, which helped me decide to attend this college.
What should future international students know about LCC?
LCC has many events for every student, such as the Lunar New Year celebration, egg hunting, dance party, and more! Those are all free, so you should join them. LCC also has a lot of clubs on campus. I participate in the international club and the pickleball club, and I expand my community.
Ambassador: Thuan
Program of Study: Business
Hometown: Vietnam
Tell us about yourself!
Hello! My name is Thuan, and I'm an international student from Vietnam pursuing a degree in Business at LCC. I began my journey in the U.S. in January 2025, so everything here is still pretty new and exciting for me.
I am currently working as an International Student Ambassador in the IPO, and I hope to support prospective students as much as I can. Right now, my biggest goals are building new skills through this role and meeting as many students as I can. Feel free to reach out — I'm always happy to connect!
What do you do when not on campus?
When I'm not studying or working, you'll probably find me listening to music, watching DIY videos, or playing chess and AOV. I also play pickleball, and badminton whenever I get the chance.
Why did you decide to study at LCC?
Studying abroad has always been something I wanted to do — I knew it would broaden my perspective and push me to think in ways I never had before. When I started looking into schools, LCC stood out right away. The IPO team was incredibly supportive throughout my application process, which made the whole experience so much less overwhelming. On top of that, LCC is close to where my relatives live, so I had family nearby to lean on during those first few months of adjusting to a brand-new country. It really felt like the perfect fit.
What should future international students know about LCC?
The IPO Is Your Best Friend:
From the moment you arrive, the IPO is one of the most valuable resources you'll have. Whenever I had a question or ran into a problem during my first quarters, I could always walk in or send an email and get real help. Even when the IPO staff couldn't solve something directly, they always knew exactly who or which department could — so you never feel lost or alone trying to figure things out. That kind of support means everything when you're new to a country.
The Community Is Genuinely Welcoming:
One of the first things I noticed at LCC is how friendly everyone is. Students are generous and easygoing — once you make even a few friends, you'll find that people are always willing to lend a hand. Instructors are the same way. There's a real sense of openness on campus that makes it a lot easier to settle in and feel like you belong.
Academic Resources:
LCC has some great resources to support your studies. The library offers tutoring services, and the school also provides translation devices that international students can borrow when needed. One thing I'd especially encourage every student to use is office hours. If you have questions, want feedback, or just need some advice from your instructor, office hours are one of the best opportunities you have — don't sleep on them!
Ambassador: Arisa
Program of Study: One-year exchange
Hometown: Japan
Tell us about yourself!
Hello, everyone! My name is Arisa. I’m an international student from Japan, and also a student at Atomi University. My hobby is traveling. I enjoy traveling within Japan, but I also like traveling abroad because it allows me to learn more about many new things. If you have any recommendations, I would like to hear them. I’m very happy to be able to work as an international student ambassador, and I look forward to working with all of you.
What do you do when not on campus?
When I’m not on campus, usually I’ll watch movies, listen to music and talk with my friends. If the weather is good that day, I’ll walk around the lake.
Why did you decide to study at LCC?
Actually, I came to LCC in 2024. Because I participated in a three-week short-term study abroad program held by Atomi University and LCC. Participating in this program sparked my interest and curiosity in English, and I decided to study abroad for a year.
What should future international students know about LCC?
LCC has many great resources and supportive people. With teachers, friends, and advisors I can rely on, I’m able to enjoy a fulfilling campus life. And also LCC has many clubs. I joined the International Club and the Pickleball Club, which allowed me to meet new people and make friends.