Sanaz Askari

Student

“You will see people coming from UCLA and other big schools to study science at SMC. The biology teachers are just fantastic.”

She had just received word of her acceptance to UC Berkeley and in the background her proud father and family—visiting from Iran—were heartily celebrating. “My parents have been very supportive and proud of me during all my time at SMC,” says Sanaz Askari. And proud they should be: while on campus in preparing for medical school Sanaz has been thoroughly involved in SMC life.

She has been a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma, has played percussion in the SMC Band and has worked in the chemistry stock room—all while carrying 18 units. But among her fondest times on campus were some of the hours she spent helping others to excel. “I tutored math and chemistry at the African-American Collegian Center,” she recalls. “And the people at the Center were great because—even though I was a minority there—they really treated me wonderfully.”

Now a California resident, Sanaz was initially an F-1 visa student who found that “the programs they have at the International Student Center were just great. I feel they helped me adjust, and it was a real benefit to meet people from all over the world there.” And as Sanaz’ experience shows, SMC’s reputation worldwide will continue the flow of international people coming here to learn.

“I got my visa from the consulate in Cyprus,” she says. “And when the officer looked at my admissions papers, he said, ‘Oh yes. I know SMC very well. And I see that you’re going to become a doctor. Well, you won’t have to worry. Once you graduate from SMC, you will have no problems going on to another good school.’”

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