During late July and early August, the Community College Initiative Program welcomed 142 participants from 16 countries to the United States. For the program’s 16th year, participants represent the countries of Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Ukraine.
The CCI consortium for this year consists of ten community college campuses throughout nine states, with one new addition: Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Kentucky. The CCI Program continues to host students at the College of DuPage in Illinois, Fox Valley Technical College in Wisconsin, Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, Mesa Community College in Arizona, Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria and Annandale Campuses in Virginia, Sinclair Community College in Ohio, and Valencia College in Florida.
During the program year, participants will study agriculture, business management, early childhood education, engineering, information technology, media and journalism, tourism and hospitality management, and social services. As part of their educational experience, students also build technical and vocational skills and strengthen their English language and literary proficiency. In addition to completing academic coursework, students will take part in volunteer activities, internships, cultural exchange events, and leadership workshops. These opportunities will immerse the participants within their host communities, allow them to grow professionally and academically, and strengthen their knowledge and understanding of U.S. culture.
After welcoming the 2023-24 participants and getting them acquainted with their host community, they will participate in an exciting schedule of events and activities leading up to their classes. In August, participants will be introduced to the Gateway to Success Program, a 5-week orientation and pre-academic program designed to facilitate their adjustment to living and studying in the United States. They’ll also be introduced to volunteer opportunities, take English language courses, and get to know their fellow participants and the CCI Program staff.
They can also look forward to various cultural exchange and volunteer events, including the 9/11 Day of Service, the MLK Day of Service, and International Education Week, which takes place in November. This August, participants will be taking part in Exchange Day for the first time, and they’ll have the opportunity to volunteer, share their culture, and meet new members of their host community. During the winter break, participants also join a week-long leadership event to celebrate the middle of the program year. More awaits them in the spring semester!
The CCI Program is thrilled to welcome the 2023-24 cohort! We can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish and learn over the next year.
The 2023-24 cohort at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida.
The 2023-24 cohort at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.
The 2023-24 cohort at Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale in Virginia.
The 2023-24 cohort at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The 2023-24 cohort at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The 2023-24 cohort at Northern Virginia Community College – Alexandria in Virginia.
The 2023-24 cohort at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin.
The 2023-24 cohort at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona.
The 2023-24 cohort at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky.
Written by Holly Calhoun, Alumni Relations and Communications Coordinator