International student has an Orange crush

Orange Coast College nutrition major Lauriane Etienne was born in France but raised in India.

The 20-year-old international student, who lives in Costa Mesa, recently completed her first semester at OCC. She’s thoroughly enjoying her stay on Southern California’s beautiful Orange Coast.

“My first semester at OCC was great,” she says. “I was able to maintain a 4.0 grade-point average. I love living in this area; it has so much to offer.”

Born in southern France, Lauriane moved with her family to India at the age of 1. She grew up speaking both French and English.

“We lived in southern India ? in Madras ? until I was 14. It was a great place to grow up. We then moved to a larger city, and I finished high school there. Following graduation, I moved back to France.”

While in France, it became evident to Lauriane that she didn’t want to attend college there.

“Though I’m fluent in French, I realized that I didn’t want to do my university studies in the French language. English seemed more comfortable to me. I began to seriously consider going to the United States to study.”

During a trip to this country, she visited OCC’s campus.

“My first impression was very positive,” she said. “I felt that it was a gorgeous campus ? so open and green. And everyone seemed friendly. I stopped by the International Center and talked with the helpful staff members there. Things fell into place and I soon became an Orange Coast College student.”

Lauriane began taking classes last January.

“There really wasn’t a period of adjustment for me,” she says. “My professors are wonderful, and staff members in the International Center constantly make certain that I’m on track. The support that I’ve received has been fantastic.”

She appreciates the diversity that she has encountered at OCC.

“I love interacting with all the different cultures on campus,” she says. “The college has international students from all over the world, and the diversity of the local students is impressive. The campus has an open-minded outlook. I like that.”

Best of all, Lauriane appreciates Orange County’s climate.

“No complaints about that at all,” she says with a laugh. “It’s warmer than France and much less humid than India. I love the sun.”

She plans to earn her associate’s degree in nutrition at Orange Coast College, then transfer to a four-year university.

“I’m not certain yet where I’ll go. I want to complete my [bachelor’s of science degree] in nutrition and become a dietitian.”

Lauriane Etienne is well on her way.