At Diablo Valley College, diversity is one of our greatest strengths, yet many international students still feel invisible within that diversity. Every semester, students arrive from all over the world—from Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and beyond, each hoping to find community in a new country.

Yet many struggle to adapt to American culture, unsure how to connect with peers or participate in classroom activities. Even simple interactions, like joining a study group or making small talk after class, can feel intimidating when language barriers or cultural differences create invisible walls. The challenge isn’t a lack of willingness to belong, but the absence of bridges that help international and domestic students truly understand one another.

As my friend Denzell Huang, an international student from Indonesia, said, “It’s not that people don’t want to talk to you, but it’s that sometimes they don’t know how.” His words capture the quiet reality many students face. I’ve seen him hesitate to speak up in class, worried that his ideas might be misunderstood.

This shows that the issue is not only cultural but deeply social. According to the Institute of International Education, the U.S. hosted over one million international students in 2023–2024, yet nearly half reported feeling isolated and struggling to form connections (IIE Open Doors Report, 2024). These numbers remind us that while colleges celebrate diversity, inclusion requires more than recognition, it requires action.

As an international student myself, I believe DVC has both the opportunity and the responsibility to do better. One of the most powerful ways to build cultural bridges already exists on campus: student clubs.

These organizations are more than extracurricular activities, but they’re spaces where friendships form across languages, and where students learn from one another’s stories and traditions. Clubs allow international students to share their culture with confidence while also learning to navigate American life in a welcoming setting. When domestic and international students collaborate in inclusive events and discussions, the barriers between “us” and “them” begin to fade. DVC’s diversity is a gift, but it reaches its full potential only when everyone feels they belong to the same community.