Deadline: 16-Jan-23
The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo is pleased to announce the Community College Initiative Program (CCI) to provide participants with a non-degree, academic program at a U.S. community college designed to build participants’ technical skills in media literacy, enhance their leadership capabilities, and strengthen their English language proficiency.
It also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement. After completing the program, participants return home with enhanced skills to help them contribute to the economic development of their countries.
The CCI Program demonstrates the U.S. commitment to increasing access to higher education for international students from underrepresented and underserved communities and highlights the learning environment offered at U.S. community colleges. The program also builds U.S. community colleges’ efforts to deepen international educational partnerships and programming.
The CCI Program will provide participants from Kosovo’s municipalities of Gjakove/Djakovica, Junik/Junik, Deçan/Dečane, Peja/Peć, Istog/Istok, and Zubin Potoku/Zubin Potok with a non-degree, academic program of study at a U.S. community college in the field of media with a concentration in the subfield of digital media and communications. By pursuing the digital media, journalism, and communications track, participants will learn about mass media, history of media and broadcasting, digital and social media, and the role media plays in influencing today’s global society.
Field of Study
- The CCI Program offers eight fields of study. Candidates from Kosovo will apply for a program to study in the field of media with a concentration in the subfield of digital media and communications. By pursuing the digital media and communications track, participants will learn about mass media, history of media and broadcasting, digital and social media, and the role media plays in influencing today’s global society.
- Participants will work with their Program Coordinators to develop an individual program plan within the field of media and their concentration area. In this application, participants should describe their specific areas of interest in their proposed field of study of media and available concentration areas, their related experience, and their long-term goals.
Benefits
The Program covers:
- J-1 visa support.
- Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States.
- Tuition and mandatory college fees.
- Housing and meals.
- Small allowance for books, materials, and incidental expenses.
- Limited Accident and Sickness coverage that is J-visa compliant.
- A variety of personal and professional development activities.
CCI Eligibility Requirements
Everyone who meets the CCI eligibility criteria listed below is welcome to apply regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation, or gender identity. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the CCI Program is merit-based and open to anyone who:
- Is from Kosovo’s municipalities of Gjakova/Djakovica, Junik/Junik, Deçan/Dećane, Peja/Peć, Istog/Istok, and Zubin Potoku/Zubin Potok.
- Is a citizen, national or permanent resident of the Republic of Kosovo.
- Is currently residing in the Republic of Kosovo.
- Is 18 years or older by July 1, 2023.
- Has successfully earned a secondary school diploma.
- Has not already completed the equivalent of three years toward a U.S. Bachelors’s degree or higher in the field of study the applicant is nominated to pursue. Nominees without substantive post-secondary education will be given placement priority.
- Has demonstrated commitment to the field of media through some academic or professional experience. The program aims to identify participants with proven skills or interest and limited professional experience in the fields of study offered.
- Has solid working knowledge of English language.
- Has limited or no overseas study experience. Nominees with no prior overseas study or travel to the United States will be given placement priority.
- Submits a complete, original application.
- Is able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa and meet the program conditions to maintain that status.
- Is willing and mentally and physically able (with accommodations as required) to complete the program in its entirety, giving equal importance to all five pillars, including activities or travel that may be programmed on any day of the week, possibly including early morning or evening hours.
- Is committed to returning to Kosovo after completion of the program and satisfying the J-visa two-year residency requirement.
- Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in July 2023.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Kosovo.