‘Real Journeys’: New video series follows lives of international students at Houston City College

For international students at Houston City College (HCC), studying abroad is more than an academic pursuit. It’s a daily exercise in adaptation, resilience and discovery. Representing more than 130 countries, they are a vital part of the college’s global community. A new video campaign, “Real Journeys,” is now sharing their stories.

Over the course of a year, HCC-TV cameras followed four international student ambassadors as they shared a behind-the-scenes look at their lives inside and outside the classroom and what means to pursue an education thousands of miles from home.

“Through this series, we are capturing their experiences in Houston,” said Nithy Sevanthinathan, director of International Student Services at HCC. “They make an important contribution to our institution, to the community and to the world as they continue their academic paths.”

HCC has long been a top destination for international students among community colleges in the United States. Students come from countries around the world, including Vietnam, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Nepal, China and Nigeria.

The goal of the series was to follow the stories of these students from the moment they arrived at HCC through the milestones and challenges they encountered along the way. Students were encouraged to share the full reality of studying abroad, from adjusting to new classes and cultures to navigating moments of uncertainty.

“There are moments when they may not like a class or feel unhappy with certain things,” Sevanthinathan added. “We wanted to document that. That’s what makes their stories authentic and impactful.”

The “Real Journeys” series launches with its debut episode, introducing the four individuals whose experiences reflect the complexity and courage of studying far from home.  

Watch the full first episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VDiYWZrM6w