About the Program
The Community College Initiative (CCI) Program provides participants from underserved areas and underrepresented groups with a one-year, non-degree academic program at a U.S. community college. The program is designed to build participants’ technical skills in applied fields, enhance their leadership capabilities, and strengthen their English language proficiency. The program also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and cultural exchange through community engagement activities.
CCI participants contribute to their host communities by helping U.S. community colleges internationalize their campuses. According to the 2017 Open Doors Report, only 2.1% of U.S. community college students will gain 21st-century international experience and workforce skills through study abroad. CCI exchange participants engage community college students with international cultures and diverse perspectives in their U.S. classrooms and on campus.
After completing the program, participants return home with a deeper understanding of U.S. culture and new skills to help them contribute to the economic growth and development of their countries.
Since the establishment of the program in 2007, over 75 community colleges have hosted 3,500+ CCI participants from 24 countries.
The CCI Program is a U.S. government international exchange program supported by the people of the United States. It is a program of the U.S. Department of State and has received funding as a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs exchange activity from the U.S. Congress since 2007.