Life in Community College in USA - Yashada Oak

Here is a student story of Yashada Oak who recently graduated from Diablo Valley College (DVC), US. She shares her experiences with us and throws light on why she chose this college to fulfil her career goals.

Yashada Oak holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UC Irvine (Sept 2022-Jun 2024) and a Substance Abuse Counselor Certification from CADTP (California Association of DUI Treatment Programs) completed at DVC in Sept 2025. After she completed her certification, she was working as a field intern at Pathway Society, San Jose, California between Oct-Dec 2025. During her field internship, her role was to observe how counselors engaged with patients to understand the treatment process. Also, she would engage with clients facing co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health diagnoses, fostering empathetic communication skills. 

We had a conversation with Oak to understand how prospective students can consider community colleges in US for studying. Also it was interesting to learn how distinct features of community colleges led to make this decision. Most importantly, if she actually recommends students to study at these colleges or not. So if you are also looking at community colleges to start your education or to transfer from a previous US university, this may be insightful for you. So check it out!

QnA with Yashada Oak - Community College in US

Read the entire conversation we had with the DVC alumni - Yashada Oak and check out what she says, thinks and recommends about community college for education in USA .

Why did you choose to study at a community college in US?

I chose to study at a community college in US for multiple reasons. Basically, I wanted smaller class sizes, interactions with faculty more often and flexibility in choosing a major. And I was getting all this at Diablo Valley College.

How has your experience been at DVC academically and personally? 

Academically, I have had a great experience. Everyone at DVC is very supportive of students who come from different educational backgrounds and systems. Community colleges support you by giving access to tutors and support classes whenever required. Personally, I’ve had a great time here, credits going to supportive friends and family.

What support services at the college helped you the most?

Several support services have helped me the most. International office and advisors have been the most helpful for international students like me. They are always eager to help and answer any question I may have.

How has the community college prepared you for your future goals, career or transfer?

A community college education has prepared me for my undergraduate studies and is now helping me advance in my career. As someone who has attended two community colleges now, I am very pleased with the quality of instruction I receive and how well I am able to apply it in real-world, practical settings.

Would you recommend this college to other international students? Why or why not? 

I would recommend Diablo Valley College to fellow international students, especially those who are planning to transfer from one US university to another. DVC is a great place to explore who you are as a person, a student, and a future professional. Additionally, a community college like DVC also gives you a chance to settle into life in the United States and make friends and connections.

So overall, she presses on the fact that transfer to DCV helped her adjust to the US university culture and maintain lifestyle. Her choice of DVC was influenced by the fact that there were smaller class sizes and a small student to faculty ratio which in turn helped her get more attention. Also the support services by International Office was at par.