Pinay int’l student tops class in San Francisco
12/22/2010
SAN FRANCISCO – Twenty-two-year old Mikhaelle Padilla Viernes is on top of the world — or at least at the top of her class.Among the 300 students who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in the University of San Francisco last week, Viernes emerged as the summa cum laude.
Only the top 2% of the class receive this highest honor.
“I’m honored. I worked really hard and I feel successful in the endeavors I took — despite the hardships. I’m happy and I feel blessed,” said Viernes.
Viernes was an international student from the Philippines. In 2008, Viernes left behind her family and friends in the Philippines to study Applied Economics in the US. She received her F1 or student visa.
“Considering that the US is a first world country, I was hoping to learn valuable economic lessons that I could someday use to help the Philippines,” she said.
But her first few months in the US were not easy.
“I felt like an outsider coming in. But then after awhile, I got used to it. I got to know other people,” she said.
She also knew that not everyone is given the chance to study abroad, and so she persevered.
USF professor Sunny Wong said, “She’s really hardworking, very smart as well. She always tries to do her best by studying hard.”
Viernes is just among the 700,000 international students who enrolled in US schools last school year. These foreign students pay top dollars — investing about $200,000 for a four-year course.
Viernes’ mother, Pearl, said their sacrifices are worth it. She said, “We are so proud of her not only as a child, but also a Filipina who is at the top of her class.”
Even with the tough economy, Viernes said she’s determined to land a good job.
She said, “Hopefully, I find a job in finance because that’s what I want to do for now. I’ll just have to start looking for work and we’ll see how I can go from there.”
Viernes, who is now on an Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa, can work anywhere in the US for a year until she can find an employer who can sponsor her for a work visa. Balitang America
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