In July 2019, the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program welcomed 142 participants from 12 countries to the United States. After settling into their host cities, the CCI Program began with the Gateway to Success Program (GSP). The GSP is a pre-academic and orientation program that immerses participants in English language […]
read moreHow a CCI Participant in Illinois is Serving Hundreds of Youth in Kenya
Since 2017, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participant Linda Otieno has been running a non-profit in Kenya called the Bishima Kids Foundation. The Foundation is a community-based organization that aims to increase and expand underserved children’s access to basic needs, including food and shelter. In a year, the Foundation serves […]
read moreMLK Day of Service 2020
Last week, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants studying across America observed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by engaging in a variety of service and learning activities on campus and in the community. At Northern Virginia Community College, CCI participants joined their host college’s 11th annual MLK […]
read moreThe CCI Pathways to Success Program 2020: Maximizing Your Leadership Potential
During the second week of January, 140 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants representing 12 countries came together from 10 community college campuses for the CCI Program’s annual midyear Pathways to Success Program (PSP). The PSP is designed to build participant skills in leadership, reflection, and goal-setting. Under the theme […]
read moreBrazilian CCI Alumni Teach Free Classes to Close the Digital Divide in Underserved Communities
Two Community College Initiative (CCI) Program alumni are bridging the skills gap in their home country by teaching free courses in information technology and digital media. Ana Laura Soares and Izaac Alves Mendes are classmates at Brazil’s Instituto Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (IFTM) who both participated in the 2018-19 CCI […]
read moreInternational Education Week 2019
From November 18-22, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program international exchange participants celebrated International Education Week (IEW) 2019. 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 celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. […]
read moreHonoring Native American Heritage Month
Learning about Native American peoples is one of many ways that Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants develop a greater understanding of the United States as exchange visitors. In recognition of National Native American Heritage Month, here is snapshot of how the 2019-20 CCI participants have engaged with Native American […]
read moreObserving the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance
In observance of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, Community College Initiative (CCI) Program participants at all CCI host colleges volunteered on campus and in their host communities. On September 11, participants at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona learned about the history of the 9/11 attacks during […]
read moreIntroducing the 2019-2020 CCI Program Participants
Throughout July and August, the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program welcomed 142 participants from 12 countries to the United States to participate in the program’s 13th year. This year, participants represent Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, and Turkey. During their exchange […]
read moreThe 12th Year: Where Are They Now?
Just a few months ago in May 2019, the 2018-19 Community College Initiative Program cohort completed their exchange year. Since their return to their home countries, the newest group of CCI alumni have taken the skills and values they gained in the U.S. to propel their professional lives and personal […]
read more