Parkland CCID program reaches out to foreign students

Remember in high school when you first met the new foreign exchange student from another country? Now there is a program for students from other countries to come to the United States to attend community colleges. It is called the Community College Initiative Program (CCI). The CCI program originated at the January 2006 Presidents Summit on International Education. CCI provides funding to support students to study at community colleges in the United States, and is a cooperative agreement between Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program has been ongoing for two years and is part of a three year plan. Eligible students are recruited by Fullbright Commissions and U.S. Public Affairs offices in their home countries.

The students in this program come from a limited number of countries. Currently, at Parkland there are sixteen students from Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and Indonesia. A large portion of Parkland students in the program come from Brazil. Students are placed from countries our government considers stable democracies with developing economies. In the third year of the program more countries will be included.

Students must only be from certain countries and at Parkland they have to pick an area of study in Computer Science Information Technology (CSIT). Other community college participants can study in fields including agriculture, business management and administration, tourism and hospitality management, and information technology. The purpose for the CCID program is to provide students with jobs skills that will help them develop the economy in their home countries. Once students have graduated with a one-year certificate (or a two-year degree), they will return home to use these new skills.

In order to be eligible for the CCI program each student must have graduated from a secondary education. They need to have English skills, which includes six months of advanced English classes. The student also needs some work experience in the field they are entering. Lastly, they must submit a complete application and complete two institutional tests within the last two years.

In addition to a full course load, students study in the class called Freedom, Democracy, and Personal Responsibility. In this class the students study American government and democracy. American culture is learned by experiencing local customs and traditions. To do this students are paired with families in the area. Field trips are also scheduled and leadership skills are honed.

The CCI program provides funding for a round-trip airfare from their home country to the United States. In addition, the student receives health insurance, paid schooling, and cultural activities. The participants must return home at the end of their completion and cannot transfer to a four-year college in the United States.

Between the time the students arrive in summer and leave the following summer, they are busy studying. They also have recreational activities planned for them. Recently they have taken a ski trip and a trip to Six Flags, as well as played mini golf and paintball. These students also perform community service. They volunteer at food pantries, Krannert Center, and the Freedom Celebration Parade.

The Community College Initiative is a progressive program at Parkland and is a wonderful opportunity for students from foreign countries to come to America and learn skills to take back to their home countries. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them.