[ti:Community Colleges in the United States] [ar:Bob Doughty] [al:Education Report] [by:www.chinavoa.com] [00:00.00]From VOA Learning English, [00:01.81]this is the Education Report. [00:04.53]Suppose you are thinking about [00:06.87]attending college in the United States, [00:09.48]but perhaps you might not be ready [00:11.98]for a university with a four-year program. [00:15.72]About 88,000 international students have found solution. [00:21.42]They are attending U.S. community colleges, [00:24.51]such colleges are sometimes called junior colleges. [00:30.10]They offer two years of education [00:32.85]above the secondary or high school level. [00:36.70]Community college students can choose from subjects [00:40.58]like medical assistance,computer science or law enforcement. [00:46.17]At the end of their study program, [00:49.12]they receive a document of completion, called a certificate. [00:54.27]Other students work toward an associate degree [00:57.97]in traditional academic subjects like Science or History. [01:03.62]Some students with associate degrees move on [01:08.02]to attend a four-year college or university. [01:12.01]They may have only two years of study left [01:15.76]before they receive a bachelor's degree. [01:19.21]Many educational experts agree that saving money [01:24.26]is a good reason to consider a community college. [01:27.96]The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) says, [01:32.90]a public two-year college costs average of 3,000 dollar a year, [01:39.40]that is true if the student lives in the same state as the school. [01:44.94]A student at a four-year public college may pay [01:49.54]more than 8,500 dollars a year for classes and user fees, [01:55.65]that does not include books and other materials. [02:00.15]International students may need more preparation in English [02:05.65]before entering a four-year school in the United States. [02:10.74]For example, Istrif Montgomery came to the U.S. from Kosovo in 2006. [02:18.29]He soon were graduated from the University of Maryland's [02:23.29]University College, [02:25.14]but he did not begin his college level education at the university. [02:30.80]First, he spent three years at a Maryland junior college with, [02:36.69]by chance, the same name as his last name. [02:40.58]He worked to improve his English at Montgomery college for a year, [02:45.89]then for the next two years, he attended classes in basic subjects. [02:52.58]Some international students at two-year colleges need to find a place to live. [02:59.83]Most community colleges do not provide student housing on their grounds. [03:07.64]But Mr Montgomery had a home near by. [03:10.84]"It was right there, [03:12.10]I was able to drive my bicyle, [03:14.41]I was able to walk if I want it." [03:16.76]Scott Crow is with American River College in Sacramento, California. [03:22.82]He says most community college students live near their school. [03:28.06]For example, he says most American River students [03:32.61]live within five to ten miles off the college. [03:36.91]And that's the Education Report from VOA Learning English. [03:43.47]We will have more about community colleges in a future report. [03:48.61]You can visit our website at chinavoa.com. [03:55.68]I'm Bob Doughty.