International students are more than just temporary visitors on American college campuses—they are vital contributors to the cultural richness, academic excellence, and economic vitality of their host communities. At Moorpark College, and throughout Ventura County, the presence of international students plays a critical role in shaping a globally engaged, inclusive, and future-ready learning environment. Recognizing their full value is essential not only to the college’s mission but also to the broader interests of the region.
Each year, Moorpark College hosts 100 international students from 37 different countries, bringing diverse perspectives, languages, and worldviews into classrooms and campus life. This diversity enhances the educational experience for all 18,000 students. The persistence of international students in the fall to spring semester is 74% compared to US students at 63%. They also have a 35% higher graduation rate than domestic students. They raise the quality of the student body, thereby improving the level of intellectual exchange and facilitating better research.
Learning alongside individuals from different cultural backgrounds prepares domestic students to think critically, communicate across different viewpoints, and collaborate in an increasingly interconnected world. International students forge ties between the U.S. and their home countries, establishing friendships with Americans and understanding of the culture and values. Initiatives like Moorpark College’s Multicultural Day showcase the college’s commitment to global learning and provide platforms for cultural exchange, understanding, and celebration.
Organizations like the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) underscore the importance of this kind of global learning. According to AAC&U, global education is defined as “a critical analysis of and an engagement with complex, interdependent global systems and legacies (such as natural, physical, social, cultural, economic, and political) and their implications for people's lives and the earth's sustainability.” By engaging with international peers, Moorpark students are better equipped to address such challenges with empathy and nuance. International students bring lived experience that cannot be replicated through textbooks alone; they are essential partners in the development of intercultural competence.
Beyond their academic and cultural contributions, international students provide significant economic benefits to both the Community Colleges of Ventura County and the County of Ventura. According to NAFSA, International students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion and supported 378,175 jobs to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year. This national impact is mirrored locally; international students pay full out-of-state tuition, providing a valuable revenue stream that supports programs, faculty, and services at Moorpark College.
The financial contribution of international students extends well beyond tuition. International students spend on housing, food, transportation, insurance, books, and recreation, stimulating the local economy. Businesses across Ventura County benefit, from landlords to restaurants to car rental companies to telecom providers. Additionally, family and friends of international students often travel to the region, increasing tourism-related revenue.
Students relocating to attend college—especially those from abroad—inject significant spending into the local economy. This economic boost is especially important in an era of tightening public education budgets and increasing reliance on tuition and local revenues to sustain quality educational programming.
By supporting international students, Moorpark College affirms its dedication to inclusive excellence, institutional integrity, and the principles of global citizenship. This includes ensuring that international students have access to academic advising, legal and visa support, cultural programming, and opportunities to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. The college’s Office of International Student Program plays a crucial role in providing this support, fostering a welcoming environment that encourages success and integration.
As community colleges, Moorpark and her sister VCCCD colleges are uniquely positioned to serve as a gateway to global education—not only for international students, but also for domestic students who may not otherwise have exposure to global perspectives. Community colleges serve over 40% of U.S. undergraduates, and including international students in this space ensures that a broader swath of the population can benefit from cultural exchange and international awareness. Global engagement should not be reserved for elite institutions. It must be democratized, and Moorpark College is leading by example.
International students are not a peripheral component of Moorpark College—they are central to its identity, mission, and success. They enrich academic life, contribute economically, promote core educational values and foster the cross-cultural understanding necessary for thriving in today’s world. Ventura County, too, benefits from their presence through economic stimulus, cultural vibrancy, and long-term connections to the global community. Supporting and celebrating international students is not just the right thing to do; it is a strategic investment in the future of the college, the region, and the society it serves.