University Center Welcomes International Education Program

Open House Event to Introduce ELS Language Centers

As the Upstate evolves into acommunity rich with diversity, its educational opportunities for international students are growing as well. The University Center of Greenville (UCG) recently welcomed ELS Language Center to its facility at McAlister Square, opening its doors to new students from around the globe.

ELS Language Centers is the world’s largest network of campus-based English language instruction and university preparation centers, with more than 55 locations in the USA and Canada. Each year, ELS places thousands of international students in university degree programs at over 600 universities accepting the successful completion of the advanced ELS curriculum as proof of English proficiency.

Leisha DeRiso, ELS Center Director, says “While ELS is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, our center began classes on Clemson University’s main campus in September of 2009 with 14 students. To date, only two years later, we have grown to averaging between 70 to 80 students and have assisted 32 graduates with matriculation to their university of choice.” DeRiso began with ELS more than 5 years ago, having also served as a senior instructor and IELTS testing administrator before her role as Director.

Moving and expanding from Clemson University to the University Center of Greenville has started a new phase for ELS, and enhances the growth potential of the program. ELS now has the opportunity to work not only with Clemson, but with all of the South Carolina institutions housed at UCG. This would be the first multi-institution location for an ELS center.

“The opportunities provided to us and our students by the University Center are astounding,” DeRiso adds. “Not only does UCG afford them immediate, personal access to local colleges and universities, it also supports a variety of educational possibilities and nurtures the learning environment in general through cooperation partnerships and endeavors.”

The University Center of Greenville also allows for expansion in program capacity due to the ample physical space available at McAlister Square. Dr. Fred Baus, President & CEO of the University Center, says, “The resource-sharing model of the University Center allows multiple organizations to share a great presence locally in Greenville, at a cost-savings to all. We think ELS Language Centers will be a great addition to the programs housed here.”

Salsabeel L-Alfhashim, a current ELS student at UCG, found the new facility to be beneficial to newcomers. “It’s very big and very comfortable to use…I am not confused between class. Everything is very easy.” Her six-weeks thus far at ELS has taken her from “not speaking any word” of English to conversing competently.

Like Salsabeel, a large majority of the students currently in the program at UCG are from Saudi Arabia, with the remaining students arriving from countries such as Japan, Thailand, Brazil, Portugal and Taiwan. Upon the student’s arrival to the states, ELS guides students through the entire process of becoming acclimated to the Upstate, including transportation and housing arrangements.

“It is my first time here, I could not rent a house, not go by bus…I could not do anything,” Salsabeel adds. “[ELS] was very helpful. They made it very easy.”

In addition to rental options, ELS helps many students find housing opportunities with Upstate residents who volunteer through the Home Stay Family Network. Families throughout the area have the opportunity to host an ELS student in their home for months at a time or even up to a year. The program offers ELS students an unparalleled experience in a day in the life of a typical American family, while providing local families with the occasion to learn about the varied cultures that make up our world on a truly personal level. It is an unforgettable and enriching experience that many families enjoy. Greenville Technical College also offers some housing options through student apartments to provide a campus atmosphere.

The ELS program entails a 13-month series of classes beginning at level 101 with no English competency, and ending at level 112, which is equivalent to a graduate certificate level. A completion of level 109 is considered English Proficient, and is the stage many students are able to transfer to an associate program through agreements with Greenville Technical College and Tri-County Technical College.