Sevilay Kelek, a 2017-2018 CCI participant from Turkey who studied media at Scottsdale Community College, wrote the following reflection. In it she shares her aspirations as a photojournalist, and explains how her CCI exchange year supported her experiences and future goals of becoming a female journalist. Many people have a […]
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CCI Women Bring an International Perspective to a Local Girl Scouts Event
In Northern Virginia, a Girl Scouts Service Unit hosted a World Thinking Day event, which brought together over 150 Girl Scouts from different local troops. World Thinking Day – February 22nd – is an international event celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world. Each year, the World […]
read moreCCI Exchange Participants Help Bring Vocational Skills Training to U.S. Community Members
Two Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants who are studying Applied Engineering at Valencia College this year have been selected for an internship opportunity that is making a significant impression in their U.S. host community. In addition to their academic coursework at Valencia, Kwame Dewortor (Ghana) and Phuti Dipela (South […]
read moreThe CCI Pathways to Success Program 2018: “Your World of Opportunities”
During the week of January 7 to January 13, 2018, the entire 2017-2018 CCI Program cohort, consisting of 152 students representing 11 countries, came together in Arizona for the annual midyear Pathways to Success Program. The Pathways to Success Program (PSP) is a week-long program designed to build participant skills […]
read moreInternational Volunteer Day 2017
In honor of International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2017, the CCI Program is celebrating this year’s theme of #VolunteersActFirst. IVD 2017’s theme #VolunteersActFirst. Here. Everywhere. recognizes the contributions of volunteers as first responders in times of crisis. #VolunteersActFirst The impact of volunteers as first responders is especially relevant to this year’s […]
read moreCelebrating Thanksgiving as an International Student
Last week, CCI international exchange participants celebrated Thanksgiving. Some joined their local host families for dinner and others took the short break from school to learn more about their host country by traveling to new states. For most CCI students, this was their first Thanksgiving celebration and was the one […]
read moreInternational Education Week 2017
Last week, CCI international exchange students participated in and hosted a series of events at their host community colleges to celebrate International Education Week (IEW) 2017. International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and is an opportunity to […]
read moreCollege Police Lieutenant Hosts CCI International Students
Lt. John Weinstein, a police lieutenant at one of the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program’s host campuses, has taken on the role of social host for two 2017-2018 CCI participants from Colombia: Camila Colorado and Natalia Martinez. In an article published in the November 2017 edition of NOVA’s Public Safety Newsletters, Lt. Weinstein […]
read moreParticipants Contribute Volunteer Hours to Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma Relief
In response to three devastating hurricanes that severely damaged U.S. communities in Houston, Texas; the southwestern coast of Florida; and the island of Puerto Rico, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program international exchange students studying at Houston Community College in Houston, TX and Valencia College in Orlando, FL have dedicated an […]
read moreIntroducing the 2017-2018 CCI Program Participants
Throughout July and August, the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program welcomed 154 participants from 11 countries to the United States. This year, participants come from Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, and Turkey. As international exchange students, CCI participants complete academic coursework at […]
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