VALENCIA TEACHER TRAVELS THE GLOBE COLLEGE RECRUITS FOREIGN STUDENTS.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Traveling the world isn't a hobby for Bruce Pelk. It's a requirement.

The former history teacher who heads the International Students Program at College of the Canyons travels to foreign countries in search of students he can bring back to the Valencia campus.

``Multiculturalism to the campus brings a tremendous wealth of viewpoints and perspectives,'' Pelkey said. ``Down the road it is a hope that we can get a trickle of international students coming to College of the Canyons . . . and spread the kind of goodwill we want.''

Since the program began three years ago, Pelkey has attracted hundreds of foreign students to the college, bringing in more than new cultural experiences and fresh perspectives.

``Students who come here pay foreign student fees, which are 10 times higher than what local students pay,'' Pelkey said. ``This is a self- supporting program. We don't cost the district anything.''

Foreign students pay $125 per unit and the Immigration and Naturalization Service requires that each visiting student enroll in a minimum of 12 units. Although the tuition is far more than resident students pay, for foreign visitors the cost is low compared with their universities at home.

``Most foreign students are beginning to realize a community college is a bargain,'' Pelkey said, adding that the International student fees at College of the Canyons are a lot less than at four-year institutions.

College of the Canyons has 140 foreign students from 35 countries, bringing the college approximately $350,000 per school year. The program, including salaries and excursions, costs $175,000 a year.

``Foreign students bring money to the district,'' Pelkey said.

In his three years, Pelkey's travels have included stops in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

His schedule can be grueling and the job lonely, but Pelkey's passion for diversifying the suburban community college in Valencia keeps him moving.

``Our hope is to get a whole lot of diverse people, so I'm willing to go anywhere,'' Pelkey said. ``We don't want to focus on one particular part of the world. We're trying to develop a diverse campus and recruit worldwide.''

He spends about seven to 10 weeks each year traveling and the rest of his time counseling foreign students already on campus and planning his excursions.

He sets up contacts before taking off for each country, seeking students who would benefit from coming to an American college.

Sometimes plans don't always work.

During a trip to Kazakstan, in the former Soviet Union, Pelkey expected to change planes in the capital city but ended up landing. He spent the next 17 hours driving across the desert.

Kazakstan is a challenge for Pelkey, who is seeking a grant to expand the exchange program with the emerging country.

``There are so many ways we can help them,'' said Pelkey, noting the benefits of courses in English and criminal justice and programs for disabled students.

In another unplanned adventure, Pelkey was waiting for a cab two years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia, when he got caught in the middle of a riot.

``The police were coming on one side and there were demonstrators on the other,'' Pelkey said. ``I was caught in the middle.''

Pelkey said the rioters were attempting to oust the current president.

``I had a lot of adventures,'' he said. ``I have fun.''

To stay healthy while traveling, Pelkey takes extra precautions.

``I take a ton on vitamins,'' he said. ``I take as many preventatives as I can.''

While visiting certain countries, Pelkey avoids peeled fruit and food from street vendors. He drinks bottled water.

While he's careful, he's also adventurous. He's tried raw sea urchin in Japan, whale in Iceland, horse food in Kazakstan, and kangaroo and crocodile in Australia.

``I didn't order it,'' Pelkey said. ``I did eat it. It's all part of the experience.''

During his trips, Pelkey meets with prospective students, school officials and agents who work as liaisons between the country and external colleges.

For each area of the world the lure to come to sunny California has varied meanings. For Japanese students, education in America is a bargain. But in India, travel to college in the United States is comparatively expensive. European students see college abroad as a way way to better their English.

``In Japan there is no community college, so parents hope that they can qualify (for college.) Otherwise, they would have to go to private institutions.''

Acceptance to higher education institutions in Japan is highly competitive and only top students qualify. The alternative is the expensive private schools.

Pelkey, at College of the Canyons since 1988, taught history before accepting the chance to start the recruitment program.

He learned to love travel when he was young and and even did some of his own studies in Sweden, where he met his wife. He speaks French, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish.

Pelkey has made a lot of friends during his travels, and some have come to repay the visits, staying in his home.

On his next trip around July 4, Pelkey plans to visit Russia, Finland, Lithuania and Estonia. In September, he heads for Asia.

``Promoting international thinking is really important,'' said Pelkey. ``It creates more understanding . . . and makes us more tolerant.''

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Photo: (color) Bruce Pelkey travels the world looking for students to enroll in College of the Canyon's Internation al students program.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer