Staying at Marymount to complete my degree

Min Pan (Penny) from China has just completed her degree at Marymount California University, where she majored in Business Administration. We caught up with her to find out about her time with Kings, and at MCU, and her reasons for choosing to complete all four years at the University.

How long have you been at Marymount and what classes are you taking at the moment?
Spring semester 2014 to present. I am a senior, all the classes I have been taking are upper division business courses. Did one quarter of UPP and high school was from China.

What are you enjoying most about studying at MCU so far, and how have you found studying alongside American students?
The biggest thing I enjoyed is that since we are a private college the classes were very small with less than 20 students. In this way I was able to connect with my professor and ask questions and visit instructors during office hours. For me I got along with the school’s faculty and staff and have really enjoyed working with them. I worked for the admissions office for a long time and really enjoyed working in different activities MCU provided.

Why did you decide to take the pathway program?
I think the Pathway Program helped me to make good connections. The best advantage for me was to learn the language program and get used to American life. Coming from a Chinese classroom to an American classroom I really benefited from the UPP program that helped me get used to an American classroom.

Had you been to California before you started at MCU? What do you like most about Palos Verdes/LA?
I had never been to the US before starting my Pathways program. I think Los Angeles is a great place with its sunshine and the beach. I love the weather here! I didn’t like the public transportation because it wasn’t really useful and makes people have to drive too much.

Are you staying on campus? What are the best features of the residence?
I moved out last year because I am a third year student. Overall, I lived in the dorms my first two years and it was very different for me because of the differences between students. I had to do my best to get along with roommates and the different lifestyles.

How do you find the levels of support from Kings on campus? What has been most useful so far?
Until my second year I got a lot of help from Kings and how to find the classes you need. Also, it was helpful to find information about different universities.

Do you have a specific career in mind for after your graduate?
After I graduate I plan to take time off and focus on what I really want to do in life. I don’t want to study or pursue a degree just for the sake of a degree but I want to pursue something I love and will be passionate about.

What influenced you to stay and graduate from MCU?
First reason is that most international students want to get into top ranking universities, yet I realized that for big universities though great, I didn’t think that the education I would receive would be better than MCU. I noticed that big universities have so many students and it wouldn’t be that easy to enjoy the resources I have here, which are a close connection to instructors and staff. I also thought that pursuing an MBA degree is more important than just graduating from a university. Overall, I really have enjoyed the faculty and staff and students here, I feel a part of the university.

What advice would you give to students considering taking the Pathway program?
I think my advice is for all international students is to be open minded, don’t be shy, talk with friends and professors. Speak out! Please get involved in different activities and programs and all kinds of things you can try! You must try to live differently than you lived back home.