Six of PUC’s international students had an enjoyable time attending a Kings game on Sunday, January 18. Although the Kings fell short against the Trail Blazers, the students appreciated attending the game for the time away from campus and for the opportunity to explore Sacramento. PUC Enrollment Counselor Keren-Baez Castro and Executive Assistant & Enrollment Counselor Andrianna Massena took these students to Sacramento and treated them to lunch in Vacaville before the game and dinner afterwards.

This was the second year they organized an outing to a game, after trying it out last school year, when 12 students attended and shared how much they loved the experience. Unfortunately, some students this year were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

Last school year was the first time they had taken international students on outings. During the fall quarter, they went to San Francisco, and during the winter quarter, they went to a Kings game. “This year, with fall being so busy, we couldn’t plan for one,” Keren shared. “However, we plan on doing one for spring. We want to give them more of an opportunity to bond, so we’re thinking of doing an overnight trip, if enough sign up, possibly in Santa Cruz or the Monterey Bay area.”

Keren is dedicated to fostering a close-knit community among international students. Having the East Coast as home, she knows the feeling of homesickness. “I want them to feel like they have people they can rely on if they’re ever in trouble and taken care of when they feel homesick,” said Keren. “I might not know the feeling coming from a different country, but I do know what it’s like being far away from home. It’s important they feel like they have someone they can trust and talk to.”

With her mission to mold a home away from home for these students, PUC community members have hosted home lunches for them three to five times a quarter, with some families hosting international students for years and sharing their passion for caring for these students to ensure they feel at home in Angwin.