Hi all! I'm an international student currently looking at public colleges in California offering massage therapy programs. I want to know if there are schools out there that are more accommodating for international students? Thanks in advance for any advice!
Hi! While many colleges and universities in California offer robust programs for health sciences and holistic health studies, finding public institutions offering specialized Massage Therapy programs can be a bit tricky.
You might want to consider California Community Colleges. For instance, Santa Barbara City College has a well-regarded program in massage therapy. The California Community Colleges are known for being quite welcoming to international students, with dedicated services like international student counseling and support.
Similarly, De Anza College, a public community college in Cupertino, also offers a Massage Therapy program, and is well-regarded for its international student support services.
Another path that could work would be to enroll in a program at a larger institution that's related to massage therapy, like the Kinesiology major at California State University, Long Beach, and then take advantage of the school's network to identify opportunities in massage therapy specifically. Bigger, four-year schools generally have more resources, including for international students, than community colleges, so this slightly more indirect path to massage therapy could actually end up being more beneficial in the long run.
As you research potential programs, be sure to pay specific attention to the support services offered to international students, such as international student advisement and English language learning resources, which could make your transition to studying in the USA much smoother.
As an international student, you'll also want to consider other factors such as campus community, housing options (especially if the school is in a more expensive part of the state, like Cupertino), and perhaps even the surrounding area and the opportunities for internships or providing massage therapy in a professional setting before you make your final decision.
Good luck with your search! It's a unique program of study you're pursuing, and I hope you find the perfect match.
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