https://www.shisas.org/home daily 1.0 2021-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614586216309-L4AP0TCPT80SORMY0JF6/barrier+new.jpg Home - Overcoming Barriers We help international students overcome language barriers with our free translation services. Direct assistance is available in English, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614231207842-ARY69KKWUDGRCHY34BHL/%E1%84%89%E1%85%B5%E1%84%8B%E1%85%A1%E1%86%AB2_1_%E1%84%8E%E1%85%AC%E1%84%8C%E1%85%A9%E1%86%BC.jpg Home - Support for Students We support victims of discrimination, racism, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of mistreatment by connecting them to the support group and/or services they need. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614231143765-V2DB8C8HVCB4K7QIWN9E/bridge.jpg Home - Connecting Students We seek to act as an intermediary service and connect international students to legal advice, therapy, academic counselors, tutoring etc. in a variety of languages when requested by the student. https://www.shisas.org/our-team daily 0.75 2023-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/f4773404-a3c7-48ae-a0f9-7b602229dd50/IMG-0724.jpg OUR TEAM - Yea Ju Chang President, Co-Founder She/her/hers Struggling with academics due to personal problems in my life, I was unable to attend school for most of my adolescence and had to take the GED in Korea to graduate middle and high school. With several scholarships and financial support from kind relatives, I was able to move to the US over four years ago with the dream of becoming a veterinarian of exotic animals. Living outside of your native country can be a real challenge, especially when you have trouble with the language. With my limited English, I had a difficult time with classes as well as socializing with other students. But with dedication and hard work, I was eventually able to excel academically and become the vice president of Irvine Valley College. As the chair of the Inter-Club Council at IVC, I often met international students who reminded me that I’m not alone in my troubles. Through SHISAS, I hope to assist in eliminating some of the barriers that international students face during their time in the US. One fun fact about me is that my nonhuman family consists of two dogs, an Asian water monitor, four iguanas, two reticulated pythons, and a fully grown tortoise the size of a small crib. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/fa56b777-d622-4303-99f8-7031538b81ac/albumtemp+%281%29.jpg OUR TEAM - Jenny Kim Advisor, Co-Founder She/her/hers Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1452afb2-8f4b-42b4-b291-d8cfdfbfbb30/albumtemp.jpg OUR TEAM - Siyun Lee Vice President, Communications Manager She/her/hers I am currently a student at Santa Monica College, majoring in biochemistry. My ultimate career goal is to work in the medical field, hopefully as a physician. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always enjoyed learning English and wanted to study in the US. However, I was too busy studying for the college entrance exam like most students in Korea and gradually forgot about my childhood dream. When my test results didn’t come out as I had hoped, I decided to make a big change in my life by moving to the US which is considered the land of opportunity. Despite the excitement of meeting new friends and getting good grades in school, living in the US as an international student was quite difficult for me. For instance, I struggled finding an apartment, using public transportation and even opening up my own bank account. So, I hope international students who are starting a new life in the US can receive the help they need from our organization. One interesting fact about me is that I was once a concertmaster for the Apgujeong Middle School Orchestra. https://www.shisas.org/about daily 0.75 2021-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614843897572-FXZ0OJJT3A30RUO2NLDQ/shutterstock_1570960567.png ABOUT - At SHISAS, our volunteers: act as an intermediary service, connecting students to the appropriate legal services, therapy, academic counseling, tutoring, etc. when requested by the student. become a personal translator for students facing issues such as understanding a class schedule, finding housing, paying utilities, signing up for insurance, etc. (We currently have English, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog, but our goal is to continually expand the list of available languages. Do you speak another language not listed here? If so, please sign up to volunteer!) assist students who have suffered from racism, domestic violence, sexual assault, etc. by contacting the appropriate support groups and/or authorities at the request of the student. (Note: Any and all communication between an international student and SHISAS is confidential.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1613194412755-0X05WY3L6B8ASJ6WYS4U/%E1%84%85%E1%85%A9%E1%84%80%E1%85%A91_1+copy.jpg ABOUT - Why SHISAS? As our name “Second Home'' suggests, our goal is to help international students acclimate to life in the US so that they can successfully call it a “second home.” The word “shisas” also refers to the magical creatures from Okinawan mythology of the same name. They are a cross between a dog and a lion, believed to protect homes and fend off evil spirits. SHISAS hopes to similarly act as a guardian for any and all international students in need. https://www.shisas.org/services daily 0.75 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614231888827-XSV09BUSWJWFZCTWCPT4/bridge.jpg SERVICES - Intermediary Service: We connect international students to the experts they need such as lawyers, therapists, academic counselors, tutors, etc. If you are having difficulty obtaining any particular service due to limited knowledge or a language barrier, simply click the request form button below and we’ll kindly assist you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614586258504-KQQ38FZL2A3ZLYAXIVHP/barrier+new.jpg SERVICES - Translator Service: International students often suffer from a language barrier while studying in America. Whether it’s understanding a class assignment or simply paying a phone bill, our committed volunteers are here to assist you. For direct assistance, click the request form button below. (We currently have English, Korean, Chinese, Tagalog, and Spanish, but our goal is to continually expand the list of available languages. Do you speak another language not listed here? Please sign up to volunteer!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1614232024615-XNLMCONXHDW4GVEOSRND/help.jpg SERVICES - General Support Service: Sometimes, international students face overwhelming obstacles beyond their control. We hope to aid students who are victims of racism, domestic violence, sexual assault, or any other form of mistreatment. If you are a victim of any form of discrimination or abuse, please contact us by clicking on the request form button below and we’ll make sure to connect you to the appropriate support group and/or authorities. https://www.shisas.org/volunteers daily 0.75 2021-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1613379068510-H96EYVSYK3N0UFWN0HKK/caroline+hom.jpg VOLUNTEERS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1613282872915-JRWXDOV7DVH9UPM5YCS7/kylie+padilla.png VOLUNTEERS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6007a044e344bd2f8786f565/1613379053966-HHAGH1UIGUIXO6HOUZ99/josshua.jpg VOLUNTEERS https://www.shisas.org/request-form daily 0.75 2021-03-08