Isabela Santos wanted to get an education in the US. She enrolled in school but it was not what she expected. Then she came to CSI and her whole perspective changed.

Many international students come to the US in order to go to school so they can land a good career and a secure future. Isabela Santos is no exception. The native of Sao Paulo, Brazil ended up in the Boston area and originally enrolled in a school for international students. But it wasn’t what she was looking for, “I went to another school that was more of an English school. But because I already had an English background, I didn’t want to start over with the basics,” she said. The school did have other programs, “They switched me to an academic program because I really wanted to go to college. This was a business program that is more like academic preparation.”

Even the more intensive program wasn’t what she wanted, “I stayed there for almost 2 years and then I decided to change to CSI. The other program doesn’t have what CSI has. Here they have a more technical program, a flexible schedule, and the opportunity to do OPT and CPT. So that’s why I decided to move to CSI.”

F1 Visa Students Can Find a Good Fit

Isabela says she did walk away with some knowledge, so the other program was not a complete waste, “Unfortunately I had some problems at the old school. It was an English school and not as technical as CSI where I have more opportunities. I did learn a lot, but at the same time they didn’t always treat us fairly.”

One of the major issues that Isabela faced was unexpected changes, “My other school didn’t inform us about a change in the schedule when we arrived at school. Then we found out that there were no more online classes, just in person,” she says. According to Isabela, some of the problems haven’t been addressed, “I still have friends there and they are having the same issues. It wasn’t fair for me because I was paying for something and not getting what I paid for.”

She did confront the school, “Once I started looking for information the advising team didn’t have information for me. Basically they said there was nothing they could do and they would send an email when they knew more.” The email never came.

Isabela has been at CSI since March and she says her experience has been so much better, “I’m in my second quarter and so far I’m loving it,” she says. She continues to give CSI praise after her last experience, “Trust me, I always tell my friends to go to CSI. It’s a whole different world. One of the things I like the most is the flexibility of the schedule and how the teachers teach us. They are super honest and open, they don’t hide information from us.”

What Life is Like at CSI

Isabela is enrolled in the marketing concentration, one of the business certificate programs at CSI. Her classes are hybrid and her schedule is flexible, leaving her time to enjoy doing other things that she loves. On Tuesdays, she goes to class in person and on Thursdays, everything is online. Changing schools was an easy choice, “Once I heard about CSI’s hybrid program I said that was what I was going to do. And when I went to the website and saw so many opportunities.”

The in-person classes are at the Charlestown campus in the Boston area. There’s a reason it’s a popular place, “The campus is easy to get to and has more public transportation and it’s easy to park. That’s why a lot of people go to that campus.” 

There is a reason that Isabela decided to go into marketing, “I chose the marketing field because my parents just bought a business in Brazil. I really want to help them grow and make more sales. This will allow me the background so that I can help them,” she says. Isabela started in the field more for her family, but has discovered that she enjoys it, “I’ve actually started liking marketing as well, so I’m thinking I’d like to do OPT here. Everything is now digital marketing. I’d like to work for a big company and maybe find a job in the field. Maybe I’ll work in sales.” 

The flexible schedule has been great because Isabela has choices. But she is really into her classes at the moment, “When I have free time I like to study a lot. I really want to focus on what I need and what my parents need. I really want to help them with their business, even though we are far away,” she says. 

Being from Brazil, English isn’t her native language, but Isabela is pretty fluent. There are still a few small language barriers from time to time, “The beginning was a little tricky because I have one teacher who is from the United States. He speaks so fast so at first I was lost a little bit,” she says. But that didn’t last, “After I started doing the assignments it started getting better. I was able to listen to the teacher a little bit more and I got used to his English. It took about a month and I was able to understand him completely.”

Other Career Goals

Isabela has made a bit of a career change since coming to the US, “In Brazil, I was in the healthcare field. I started working when I was 14. I did an internship that is pretty famous,” she says. Although it was a different industry, she was exposed to the business side of healthcare, “I started working in the medical field in the administration office of a hospital. My last job was similar to a medical assistant in the US. I was in the surgical field. I worked with 300 anesthesiologists. I did business tasks, working with the schedule and those types of things.”

Isabela loves what she is doing now, but, “At some point I’d be interested in returning to healthcare. I’m really into marketing right now but as an international student I can’t afford to go to college. At some point in my life, I’d like to do this part time.”

CSI does have healthcare programs for international students but right now they are only in Illinois. Isabela says that she would jump at the chance to take those courses if and when they are offered where she lives, “ The only thing that I wish was in Boston had the healthcare program. It would be so good for people who don’t have the money to go to nursing school. That would be a great way for people who are interested to start in the medical field.”

Despite not having that option right now, Isabela is happy with the direction she is taking, “The opportunities that you give us are really unique. Plus, it’s in Boston, a really busy area and it’s amazing. It’s amazing the way you guys teach. You guys keep things up to date and I really like that.”

She hopes more F1 visa students would consider taking classes at CSI, “Just do it. It’s perfect.”

If you’re an international student who is not happy with your current school, CSI would love to tell you more about what we can offer. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and requirements!