Northwest Community College Initiative students head to DC this January

12/21/15

57 students from the historically under-served populations of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cote D'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey and Yemen have been invited to meet with Community College Initiative (CCI) participants from across the country, on a five-day trip to the District of Columbia this January.

The CCI scholarship program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and participants will learn about America’s history and government through a visit to the Capitol, White House, Newseum, Smithsonian museums, and monuments. The five-day trip concludes with a conference hosted by the Department of State that will focus on entrepreneurship and turning goals into realities.

Northwest CCI is composed of three community colleges in Washington State: Edmonds College, Pierce College, and Whatcom Community College. Edmonds CC has provided international programs for more than 35 years and is the lead institution in coordinating the Northwest CCI (NWCCI) program.

Participants engage in a cultural exchange program and pursue educational study focused on one-year professional certificate programs. The program provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement designed to build technical skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and strengthen English language proficiency.

After completing the 10-month program, participants return home with a deeper understanding of U.S. culture and are equipped with new skills that they can use to contribute to the economic growth and development of their countries upon return home after the program.

To learn more about the NWCCI program and to follow the NWCCI journey, visit nwcci.wordpress.com.