Crossing Cultures: Mansi’s Journey from Delhi to Discovery

Growing up in the lively neighborhood of Aya Nagar, Delhi, Mansi Lodhi (India, Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Media, 2023-24) has always been surrounded by diversity. Her education started in a co-ed elementary school, followed by a same-gendered community in high school. Despite pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy […]

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CCI Commemorates the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2024

Throughout mid-January until mid-February, Community College Initiative (CCI) participants celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service through community engagement and volunteering. The MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage people to give back through volunteering. The holiday […]

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Pathways to Success Program 2024: The Butterfly Effect – Unpredictable Ripples of Small Actions

In January, the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program reaches its halfway point. Following the conclusion of the fall semester, CCI participants engage in the annual mid-year Pathways to Success Program (PSP). This program is designed to strengthen participants’ skills in leadership, interpersonal skills, analytical reasoning, and introspection. Additionally, the PSP […]

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CCI Program Participants Celebrate International Volunteer Day

Across the United States, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants embarked on volunteering adventures in celebration of International Volunteer Day. In the spirit of shared experiences and meaningful contributions, the CCI participants exemplified the true essence of International Volunteer Day, proving that warmth can be spread not only through blankets […]

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International Education Week 2023

From November 13th-17th, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants celebrated International Education Week (IEW) 2023, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to raise awareness and celebrate the benefits of international education. This year’s theme, “International Education is the Future,” explores the […]

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The CCI Program Celebrates Exchange Day: August 7th, 2023

Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants across the United States celebrated Exchange Day, which occurs every year on August 7th. This was the first year that the CCI Program commemorated the global holiday, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of exchange programs. This year, Exchange Day was centered […]

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Introducing the 2023-2024 CCI Program Participants

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, […]

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The 2022-2023 Year in Review

In July 2022, the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program welcomed 157 students from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Ukraine. Before arriving in the United States, participants took part in virtual pre-departure orientations, where they met […]

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Community Impact Projects

The CCI Program introduced the Community Impact Project (CIP) for the first time during the 2022-2023 program year. The CIP is an opportunity for the CCI participants to identify a challenge in their host community and make a positive impact by developing a plan from ideation to implementation. The participants […]

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Picture of five people sitting on the stage. The person to the far right is speaking into a microphone.

Pathways to Success Program 2023: Tackling Global Challenges and Building Sustainability with Locally Led Solutions

Pathways to Success Program, January 8-13, 2023 January marks the mid-point of the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program. After completing the fall semester and enjoying a much-deserved winter break, the CCI participants take part in the CCI Program’s annual mid-year Pathways to Success Program (PSP). The PSP is designed to […]

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