Written by (Anonymous), an International Student Parent & Spring 2026 Basic Needs Center Intern
Have you ever walked through the Berkeley City College (BCC) campus on a Thursday afternoon and wondered why tables are lined with fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, milk, beans, and more? At first, I thought those were only for US citizens and community members in financial difficulty. However, these resources are for all students, regardless of their background or financial situation. International students and student parents are also welcome to use the services.
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is already challenging. It is an expensive place to live for all people, even for those working full-time. For students who have limited time to work, it can be even harder.
You deserve support in meeting your basic needs, which is why the Basic Needs Center was established at Berkeley City College.
We are excited to share the voices of some of our international student parents here at BCC, including me! Hear about how we came to study at BCC, the challenges we face, and how the Basic Needs Center has helped us.
I (interviewer) am an immigrant mother who came to the U.S. 10 years ago. Our family expected to stay for a few years while my partner completed his studies. As a mother of two children, my initial focus was on supporting my family and helping my daughters adjust to life in a new country. But the COVID-19 pandemic changed many of our plans, and our stay became much longer than we had expected. During that time, I began to feel quite isolated and burned out.
Eventually, I finally found a way to become a student at Berkeley City College. The enrollment process wasn’t easy, but with support from my friends and the Adult Education program, I was able to begin taking ESOL classes. Being a student again and meeting others who are working towards building a life in the United States felt encouraging, exciting, and energizing.
In the video below, international student parents at BCC, Zhi and Aki, share their stories. Zhi is from mainland China. He came to the U.S. in November 2024 with his kids, who are 11 and 17 years old. Aki came from Japan to study English in 2024. While studying English at a language school, she learned about BCC and decided to continue her studies here to pursue more academic fields. She gave birth to her first daughter last October (2025) while being a student at BCC.
[The following are digests from the above video clip]
Zhi: “First one is language because English is not my native language. I needed to learn it and try to understand what other people are saying. That's the biggest challenge. [---] Another one I think is finances. Living in the Bay Area is very expensive. I have to take care of my kids, so I don't have enough time to work. And especially right now, I'm studying at the BCC.”
Aki: ”School life while pregnant was quite difficult, especially during the period of morning sickness. Fortunately, I live about a 30-minute walk away, so I never missed a single class. [---] I’m glad I was able to attend my classes. It was good for both my child and me. [---] Doing assignments was also tough if my physical condition wasn't stable, but once it’s over, it’s all in the past.“
Aki - Diapers for the baby
Aki: ”I originally learned about the Basic Needs Center because my teacher in the ESOL class introduced it. If they hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known. The teacher gave us an overview of BCC and what kinds of things are offered here, which is how I found out. Since she was born, I’ve been really helped by the diapers.“
Zhi - Clipper Cards
Zhi: ”Basically, the center was introduced by [a presentation] in our class last semester. I applied for a Clipper card from the Basic Needs Center. I visited the Basic Needs Center to pick up my Clipper card. That's a very pleasant experience. I can use it to take BART and to take any transportation in the Bay Area. That's very helpful.”
Interviewer - Everyday Essentials
I still remember the first time I brought home a box of tissues from the center. It may seem like a small thing, but I was surprised to feel how proud and empowered I felt. It wasn’t just a tissue box for me; it brought awareness to the pressure I had been feeling about not being able to contribute financially to my family.
I’ve benefited from receiving items like tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, snacks, canned food, and fresh produce. These resources have supported my household and also introduced our family to items and cultures we hadn’t encountered before.
Zhi: “Everybody should visit the Basic Needs Center to figure out what they can provide to make your life convenient.”
Aki: ”I think it’s very challenging (to have a baby and be a student), but children are cute, and they grow up. The first two months, and now at five months, are completely different. Things will definitely change, so don't think that this level of hardship will last the entire semester. There will always be gradual changes. You change, and you get better at responding to your child. If you think flexibly, it’s not impossible.“
“Talk to a counselor at a very early stage—before course registration begins—to build a schedule that maximizes your possibilities. [---]Coordinating schedules and getting help from those around you, like family and friends, is also key. If you can do that, I think it will be a very good experience.”
Each time I visited the Basic Needs Center, I was greeted warmly, and the space felt welcoming. Visiting the center with friends was also exciting because you get to talk not only about studies and life, but also about what food or snacks we get to try, what ideas come up for cooking, and share what we made with each other.
So please don’t hesitate to stop by. All you need to bring is your Student ID with a current semester sticker and your own bag! The Basic Needs Center is for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, citizenship, age, gender, religion, or other factors. We serve all students taking classes from the campus you are enrolled in. You are all welcome to come!
We hope to see you soon, and can’t wait to hear more of your stories and discover new ways to support our students!