Bunker Hill is a great option for people outside of the “traditional” college age. Lots of adults go there to get a degree later in life or for additional degrees!

Thank you for confirming that there are more mature students, then I think I will go for this college. Did you go there too?

I didn’t, but I know a few people who looked into programs there and said there’s a lot of students who aren’t in the average 18-22 year old range

Ok, wonderful, thanks for sharing this insider information. Helped a lot to make a decision.

(Disclaimer: I teach at a Mass. community college.)

I don't think you'll find too much difference between the community colleges in the eastern part of the state re: student demographics. Your best bet for finding older students is to look at night or weekend classes. Those classes tend to skew older as those students usually have full-time jobs during the day.

Plus, we're offering more classes for dual enrollment (i.e. high school kids) during the day, and you'll probably want to steer clear from that.

I am currently going to Bunker Hill at age 29. It is a great school with a lot of resources and professors willing to help you succeed. They are a part of the Mass-transfer program that allows you to transfer to a MA state school with tuition reduced by 33%.

Most community college will have a mix of younger and older students. I did about 18 credits of prerequisites for a healthcare masters at both Mass Bay in Wellesley and Middlesex in Bedford and Lowell and more than half my classes were older than me (I was in my late 20s at that time).

It’s a tough commute from Wellesley

Community college is friendly and welcome of learners of all ages.

I got my Associates at MassBay CC in 2015. I was in my mid-30s and did a mix of day and evening classes as my schedule allowed. During the day, most “older” students were in the 22-26 range. Lots of prior military people who were now attending college or people returning to their studies after a break. The evening classes had more adults who were working full time/had families they cared for during the day.

I wasn’t in the program of study you’d be looking at, but I thought MassBay was outstanding and the professors enjoyed having non traditional students in class.

Went to massbay and it’s a mix. Generally the immature people thin out mid semester.

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Hi, actually many international students go to community colleges :) I have many friends who did, including Germans. Most of the time they work hard in community college and then transfer to a 4 year university. It makes absolutely no difference and I do not really care what others think about CCs since it is my money and it is the same level of education most of the time. I did a semester at SBCC in Santa Barbara after high school and had a wonderful experience.

It is true that I would only pay around 200 Euros for one semester in Germany but of course the teaching method is very different. In the US you have a very hands-on mentality whereas in Germany everything is very theoretical. Also, in the USA professors are open to engage with their students whereas in Germany you sometimes sit with 400 people in one room and the professor looks at you as just a number.

Furthermore, becoming a teacher takes 7 years in Germany including two state exams, so calculate how long it would take me to finish and earn money, in the meantime I could already work in the USA and the tuition I pay in the meantime is the money I would loose by studying 3 more years in Germany. Nursing is a shitty job in Germany, pays around 2000 Euros per months, sometimes even less, many nurses quit, social jobs in Germany do not get paid well. We pay nearly 40-45 percent in taxes, bear that in mind, you are sometimes a slave to the government and will end up poor when you get older. Who is going to pay for my pension? U.S nurses have way more responsibility and it is a job which is regarded as pretty good in the U.S.

Overall, the USA has way more opportunity for me. I am a free-spirited person and feel in German society there is a lot of restriction and regulation. And dont forget how beautiful the USA is, isnt it worth it to spend a bit of tuition and have so many things to do? I love the nature in the USA, the freedom, the food and of course the language. It is simply a country I see myself living in long-term so I will take the risk.

Massbay has mixed age ranges...my mother went back at 40 for a degree and never had an issue and you are right in Wellesley!

i did massbay 2020-last year and most people were adults. i’m 30 and was in the middle of the age range, i would guess. now i’m at umass and feel super old, lol.

Highly, highly recommend Bunker Hill.

Wonderful! What makes you recommend it in comparison to other colleges?

I went to Bunker Hill for a year before transferring to a 4-year university (original plan was 2 years but Covid accelerated my plans by making me move earlier than expected). I don’t have experience with other community colleges, but I’ve always said that if I could get a Bachelor’s degree at BHCC I would have. They place a large emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, their food pantry is fantastic, and I never had a problem with any of my professors. Not sure what your focus is but their English dept is, from my experience, incredible. I also never had any problems with other students, though I mostly keep to myself. Their various programs for helping students gain financial literacy, get state benefits, financial aid, etc were always heavily promoted and super helpful. Overall I just felt like the culture was really focused on helping students succeed through any means necessary. Edit: typo fix.

MassBay in Wellesley is a good option. Many local employers prefer to hire nurses with a BA.

Hi - I won't question you on your certainty that you'll be able to stay and work in the US after school, I'll assume you're smart enough to have figured that out. I do want to point out that we have a lot less social safety nets here and the idea of a pension as a nurse is not even a thing here. I cannot speak to nursing in Germany, but nursing here is not necessarily a lucrative field. Many are leaving bedside now due to poor regulations, overworking, low pay etc. The same is true for teaching.

Can confirm. When’s back for second degree at 36 and many classmates in same boat. Also, had a roommate taking courses in nursing and liked it.

Also, it’s a great education with great teachers for the price.

Not really. Depends on time of day.

It is not certain, but nurses do get sponsored a lot and there are many German schools which look for German elementary teachers in and around Boston. Indeed is full with job offers for F1 students in both fields. Yes, It is a risky thing to do, but there are always opportunities and if not, I could still work somewhere else on this planet.

Well, nursing is not a lucrative field, that is true, but my goal is not to become rich. I am a big believer in needing the basic stuff in life and anything additional, the small things in life, I appreciate way more when I can treat myself once in a while instead of every day. I know teaching is also not lucrative, but I think I am just an idealist living according to my own values and I want to stay true to myself. I could never do a job I dont like just because the job is more lucrative.

People make rarely use of the social safety net in Germany, when you have an education you most of the time dont need it, and just because you have pension, does not mean you can live from it. Some Germans have to live with 800-1000 Euros pension per month. I rather would want to put money aside from my job in the USA and rely on myself instead of giving the government 45 percent of my hard earned money only to become poor when I retire. In the US there are many ways to take care of yourself, you just gotta take the risks.

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Mass Bay has "mature" students. I would totally look there first!

Ok will do and haha mature students is what we call it in Europe including the UK, what is the expression in the USA?

Non-traditional students

Ah ok I didnt know that since we study British English in Elementary and High school ;)

MassBay CC would be a good deal and also be convenient. A friend of mine switched to nursing at around your age and it has been a good decision for her. She works in the government and she will have a pension when she retires. For her nursing degree, she also did a loan forgiveness program by working in underserved areas once she graduated.

Keep an eye open for these incentive programs -- nurses are in high demand. I bet r/NursingStudents would be helpful too. The pay is better in MA (even with a higher cost of living), so you're in a good place.

Also, your English is excellent! (I am trying to learn your language...langsam.)

This is incredible English! I took a few years of German, und ich niemals etwas so klar in Deutsch schreiben könnte. We welcome you with open arms!

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Hi, there is not only the H1B visa, there is also Green Card sponsorship for nurses and teachers, bear that in mind. Also, dont forget that many international students can work off campus when you ask your college, you can do internships etc. in your major related field. I used to live in California so I have a good idea on how life is like in the USA and I know what I am looking for. I am probably not the first person going through this process so whatever will happen will happen, I still have a home country to go back to.

First of all, international nurses most of the time do not rely on H1B visa, they get Green Cards sponsored. Second of all, I used to live in the USA but not as a student so I have a good idea on what is possible and what is not. You can do internships and work off campus when you ask for special permission. You can also have many amazing on campus jobs. Also, dont forget I have a home country to go back to if things should not work out. I have a goal and you dont reach goals by thinking they dont work out.

Furthermore, being a student in germany does not mean you are not limited, I am limited there as well, the maximum I can earn without paying high taxes is 800 Euros, I wouldnt get a loan for anything nor a nice flat or apartment, so I can directly go where I actually want to be.

Also, not everyone is supposed to live in their home country just because it seems "better" there on paper. I could go to Mexico and be happy af without a lot of money instead of being miserable on 800 Euros pension per month with cold weather in Germany. People are different. What means security to you means limitation to the other person.

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I dont know what exactly you want but it is easy I know people who did it, if you want to tell me that Americans dont have it easy well I am not going to steal anyone a job , everyone is responsible for their own luck, so please dont tell me what I am supposed to do just because you might think if Americans dont have it easy foreigners shouldnt have it easy . In the rural areas most Americans dont want to be nurses so they sponsor nurses, guess why there are traveling nurses , they cannot find local nurses to fill the positions, but thank you, I know what I am doing ;) And if you still dont believe me lets take a look on Indeed :

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https://www.indeed.com/q-Nurse-Visa-Sponsorship-jobs.html?vjk=46937b412ed984b2

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You can see there are 169 sponsoring jobs for green cards available. Please move on if you dont believe the facts.

"Registered Nurse RN International Visa Sponsorship Tampa Florida"

"Registered Nurse RN International Visa Sponsorship Shawnee Mission Kansas"

"Registered Nurse RN International Visa Sponsorship Manchester Kentucky"

Just 3 out of 169 jobs. Nurses are in high demands. Please get your facts straight.

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