Alexandria CCI Students Explore Shenandoah

On Friday, April 5, students participating in the Community College Initiative (CCI) program at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus took a day trip to the Shenandoah Valley. Participants spent the day exploring the region, including its history, agriculture, economy, sustainability and famous national park.

Led by Alexandria CCI Program Coordinator Anna Du and chaperoned by Woodbridge Campus English Tutor (and CCI social host) Christal Bunch, the excursion began with a potato chip tasting at the Route 11 potato chip factory in Mt. Jackson, Va. At the factory, the group had the opportunity to not only sample several potato chip flavors — including the habanero-laced Mama Zuma’s Revenge — but also see the company’s low-waste production process firsthand on a tour led by Route 11 founder Sarah Cohen.

After lunch at the Apple House in Linden, Va., and a Junior Ranger activity at Shenandoah National Park, the day-long tour of the region concluded with a stop in one of Virginia’s smallest towns, The Plains. CCI students were encouraged to ask questions about agriculture, the local economy and sustainability efforts in an effort to connect what they’ve learned in their U.S. Culture, Societies and Institutions (CSI) class with real-world observations and experiences.

The CCI program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides opportunities for individuals from other countries to develop leadership capabilities, professional skills and English language proficiency while studying at a community college in the United States. Learn more about the CCI program here.

Submitted by:
Anna Du, CCI AL Program Coordinator, ADu@nvcc.edu, & Christal Bunch, WO-English Tutor, CBunch@nvcc.edu