The CCI 2014-2015 Cohort departed only two months ago (May 2015), but that hasn’t stopped these eager alumni from continuing to thrive and challenge themselves. Here are just a few examples of the great accomplishments of our newest alum – remember, it has been only 2 months since they left!
Muhammed Ilyas of Peshawar, Pakistan
Since departing Bunker Hill Community College where he was studying Entrepreneurship, Ilyas has been working with Center for Research & Security Studies (CRSS) as a Program Coordinator. With CRSS, he is handling Harnessing Future Leaders Program, which is a youth leadership skills development project, coordinating all activities to build knowledge, understanding and organizational capacity in issues that are pre-requisites of social peace and harmony (peace building and tolerance of diversity), rule of law, rights and responsibilities, conflict-prevention and mitigation through the provision of CB trainings (capacity building). Ilyas has also joined “Media House” Pakistan as a consultant of communication and outreach and as a volunteer with PEAD foundation for training facilitations. “This program [CCI] has changed my life completely, my way of thinking, my way doing work, my way of taking decisions, my way dealing with PR, has totally changed and I am no more that Ilyas, that was an year ago before attending this program. I have improved a lot, which makes and keeps me happy.”Suborna Das of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Since departing Northern Virginia Community College where she was studying Public Safety, Suborna has become an ambassador at her University and a counselor for the other students who also want to be successful. She will also be joining an NGO as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) very soon. With the various service learning opportunities that Suborna received in the United States, she has been have inspired to gather a group of friends as teachers for a community outreach initiative offering education to children living on the streets. “Coming in USA was a dream come true situation and has changed me surprisingly in a good way.”Zeeshan Ali of Calcutta, India
Since departing Northern Virginia Community College where he was studying Business Management, Zeeshan has continued to work with his father on their family wedding planning business and has started his own event management business. His new venture has kept him very busy, organizing few big party events where the chief guest for one of them was the state chief minister Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister of West Bengal) along with many other leading politicians. Zeeshan is also working with the US Consulate on spreading awareness about exchange programs in different communities, particularly CCI – inviting students from various communities and organizations to provide programmatic information. Zeeshan has been selected as the main speaker for this program.Arooba Kamal of Karachi, Pakistan
Since departing Scottsdale Community College in Arizona where she completed a certificate in Graphic Design and Business, Arooba is utilizing her acquired skills by designing a brand new website which will provide different mediums of Design as Graphic Design, Web Design, Video Edits and Advertising Concepts. The premise behind the website is to become an online service advertising agency and expand it to much more. The uniqueness of her approach is that her online agency will provide workshops of different mediums to the younger generation and will also help youth who cannot afford to learn these mediums on their own. If that weren’t enough, Arooba is mentoring youth in making a decision about future career choices and teaching English language. “This program and the time I have spent in United States has changed a lot in me, my perception, my way of dealing with different people from different cultures, my vision has expanded and the most important thing is that I don’t see anything impossible any more, I believe that I can achieve my dreams and the people of U.S had made me believe on that. I feel very honoured to be a part of this program and loving to help my community as much as I can.”Novi Dimara of Jayapura, Indonesia
Since departing Northern Virginia Community College where she studied Public Safety and held a coveted internship with the Arlington County Department of Emergency Management where she worked with both the Fire and Police Departments, Novi returned to greater responsibility. Now the supervisor in the Command Center (911 Office), Novi’s take charge attitude, work ethic and determination will definitely guide her long in achieving her long term goals. “I never finish[ed] my college or university before, that’s why I cannot complaint when I [had] been stuck [for] 4 years in the same position as a lead hand [in] my department after work[ing] for 10 years. But right now, everything was totally changing here, they always ask my opinion because I [have] more education on Fire Science than anyone in my Department, I believe that Education can change everything in our life! Stop dreaming if you can’t pursue your dream, Get up and jump to makes your dream come true.”Jalaluddin Mughal of Kashmir, Pakistan
Since departing Scottsdale Community College where he was studying Media, Jalaluddin was expected to join a media organization and work in the news industry to continue on the path he was on prior to embarking on the CCI journey. “But I found myself open and looking for something new every day in my life. Peacemaking, conflict resolution and conservation of natural resources are some among my interests in journalism and I believe none of Pakistani media organizations will hire me to work on my interests.” With the odds stacked up against him, Jalaluddin found a job opportunity with the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, working on conservation of natural resources and wildlife protection and national park management. His new job has exposed him to research opportunities about the conflict between indigenous communities and conservation agencies. The protected areas he visits are aimed to protect endangered species of flora and fauna. Communities have serious concerns about conservation strategies and there is ongoing conflict. Jalaluddin is working to develop an comprehensive report on conflict between culture and conservation and development a strategy for peacemaking, conflict mitigation and to create awareness about conservation of natural resources. Naturally, his camera follows him to every new adventure. When this project comes to an end, Jalauddin will join a USAID funded advocacy campaign on education as a project coordinator. Impressive!Muhammad Ferdaus of Bangladesh
Since departing Bunker Hill Community College where he was studying Public Safety, Muhammad has returned to Bangladesh to work with TraumaLink as a researcher utilizing his extensive experiences, speaking engagements and volunteering from his time in the United Sates. During his CCI year, Muhammad kept himself busy and engaged in the community. He completed over 300 volunteer hours, met with state officials and interned at both the American RedCross and the Commission for the Elderly. In addition to his new position, Muhammad continues his voluntary work back in his home country. “I would recommend this program to every one for changing existent knowledge of world or other cultures.”Nida Abdul Hakeem of Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Having studied Business at Miami Dade College, Nida’s commitment for community service and social issues particularly with regards to women and youth empowerment, has steered her in a very rewarding direction. Since her return, Nida has started working for the promotion of social entrepreneurship. She started a local project on “Promotion of Women Empowerment Resources” (POWER) in her hometown of Rawalpindi, Pakistan in which she hopes to expand at national and ultimately international levels. She has been selected for the “Youth Tech Camp 2015” where she will be privileged to learn the use of technology for entrepreneurship. She is also working as a volunteer Grants Officer for Pakistan Youth Organization (PYO).Julian R. Nogues of Sao Paolo, Brazil
After completing his Business Management Certificate, earning an Excellence Under the Stars award and being included in the President’s Honors List at Scottsdale Community College, Julian returned to Brazil to deal with record-high unemployment rates, being an only child living with two retired parents, having to seek out job opportunities to help support the family and the long trek to finish a degree in International Business / Foreign Trade. However, despite these daunting challenges that lie before him, Julian remains optimistic. “With the completion of the CCI Program, I feel immensely motivated and prepared to overcome any obstacles I may face on the brutally competitive job market and dire economic status of my home country. I am a hard-working, creative and innovative young man that is on the top of his game, and will find ways to keep learning and improving my technical and soft skills to be the most productive at work, and to develop social entrepreneurism and small business endeavors, not only to achieve my personal and professional goals, but also to make the people that helped me the most feel proud and most importantly, to provide help for the ones who need the most.”
UPDATE: Just one day after submitting the above story, Julian has been granted an opportunity to participate in the USBE Alumni (U.S. Brazil Exchange Alumni) 2015 Summit, called Mentes em Movimento (Minds in Motion) to be held in Brasilia DF (Brazil’s capital) in August! “I am grateful and feeling blessed to be able to attend this amazing event, and specially honored to be representing his CCI 2014-15 group of amazing Brazilian and international students. Young and brilliant minds will share their experience with their fellow friends and colleagues spread throughout the world and I am beyond excited and motivated to share his experience and his ideas with them all!”Rohina Bono of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Since departing Scottsdale Community College where she was studying Business, Rohina received an offer from a consultancy for foreign studies named BREEO International to work with them as foreign studies consultant. She is the regional head for four regions Islamabad(Capital), Rawalpindi(city), KPK(province) and Gilgit Baltistan (another province). “It’s a great way to learn more about scholarships and studies in other countries,” Rohina says.Javeria Awan of Karachi, Pakistan
Since returning home from Mesa Community College where she studied Business, Javeria has been busy! She is volunteering with Pak-US Alumni Network on various projects and has been selected for the Youth Tech Camp by US Embassy, and has volunteered with the Centre for Peace and Development initiative in writing a policy draft for minorities of Pakistan. “I feel myself totally a different person. I am more open to learning and exploring.”Anneke Purwidyantari of Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Since returning from Northern Virginia Community College where she studied Tourism, Anneke has been utilizing the innumerable connections she made as the networking guru of the group. Anneke founded a social enterprise called Java Nira, focusing on sustainable tourism development within communities in 2011. She used her time in the US, to seize every opportunity to develop a network for Java Nira. These connections created valuable lessons to make her organization more successful. After returning to Indonesia, she has resumed her work with local communities by developing sustainable destinations. She is working with 2 village partners and 8 non-profit organizations in empowering communities’ economic sustainability as well as preserving the culture and minimizing impact from tourism activities.