Three Cal State Fullerton Master of Science in Higher Education students are preparing to graduate not just with academic knowledge, but also real-world experience. Meet Angelica Flores, Bellar Naber and Cynthia Beltran, who had the unique opportunity to do their internship fieldwork at the university’s International Education and Engagement office.
Angelica Flores: From K-12 to Global Higher Ed
For Flores, who used to work in K-12 education, interning with the International Students and Scholars team solidified her career goal of supporting students in higher education, especially those struggling to adjust to a new country.
“In my previous job, I worked with newcomer students, and one of them was actually an international student,” said Flores. “So it helped me see all the barriers that are placed around international students.” This is what inspired her to join the MSHE program.
Flores said the internship reassured her that she’s on the right path.
“One of the things I loved about ISS is how diverse the staff and students are. Everyone comes from different cultural backgrounds, and that diversity is embraced. It was beautiful to see everyone bringing their own traditions, and it really creates a sense of belonging for students. That’s what I loved about the experience,” said Flores.
Her goal is to become an academic adviser for international students, hopefully in higher ed and perhaps someday even come back to work for CSUF’s IEE office.
Bellar Naber: Creating Space for Student Voices
For Naber, the highlight of her internship was a fieldwork project focused on the individual stories of students.
“Part of my fieldwork involved conducting interviews with international students to gather feedback on their experiences. I got valuable insight into challenges that students face academically, professionally and personally,” said Naber.
Naber also helped manage a Canvas course designed to support international students.
“I’ve always used Canvas as a student, but working on the back-end showed me how complex it is to design a clear and supportive learning environment,” she said. She paid special attention to making the course accessible to non-native English speakers.
Originally from Jordan, Naber connected with the students’ experiences on a personal level.
“I’ve gone through the same adjustment process myself,” she said. “That’s why I’m passionate about becoming an academic adviser — because I understand what these students are facing.”
Cynthia Beltran: A Passion for Admissions Counseling
Beltran originally planned to become a therapist, but her career focus shifted after joining the MSHE program.
“I thought advising was the right fit since I still wanted to work one-on-one with students,” said Beltran. “But through this internship, I discovered a passion for admissions counseling.”
She now hopes to help students navigate the transition into higher education from the very beginning.
“At first, I assumed international students had the same concerns as everyone else,” she said. “But I quickly realized how much more they have to manage — from immigration rules to culture shock. It gave me a whole new appreciation for their resilience.”
Beltran valued the independence she was given throughout the internship.
“Jean, my supervisor, made it clear that this was my opportunity to learn,” she shared. “It pushed me to take initiative and be intentional about what I wanted to gain from the experience.”
Shared Advice for Future Interns
For fellow Titans considering a similar internship experience, Flores, Naber, and Beltran emphasize the value of empathy, active listening and keeping an open mind.
“There’s a lot to learn — policies, procedures, and every student’s situation is different,” said Flores. “You have to be open-minded and ready to learn.”
“Actively listen to the students,” Naber added. “It’s valuable taking time to fully understand students’ concerns before offering guidance, especially with time-sensitive issues. That can really reduce students’ stress levels.”
“This internship really showcased how different we all are as students,” said Beltran. “The campus population is so diverse — not just by identities, but also by experiences. That should always be taken into consideration when working with international students.”
To learn more about the International Education and Engagement office at CSUF, visit the website.