Deadline: 9-Dec-21
The U.S. Embassy Dhaka is pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2022-2023 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program. This U.S. Department of State exchange program provides scholarships for Bangladeshi undergraduate students (18 to 25 years old) to spend one academic year studying at a U.S. community college.
The CCI Program encourages a holistic learning and exchange experience and focuses on five program pillars: academics, cultural exchange, service learning, internships, and leadership and action planning.
The program provides participants with a non-degree, academic program at a U.S. community college designed to build participants’ technical skills in applied fields, 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.
Program Pillars
- Academics: Students will complete one year of academic coursework at a U.S. community college in their selected field of study and may earn professional certificates.
- Service Learning: Students will participate in local community service activities to develop their leadership skills.
- Internships: Students will gain hands-on professional experience by working at renown organizations, businesses, and companies based in the United States.
- Cultural Exchange: Students will learn about American culture and share their culture as a youth ambassador through activities such as exhibitions and performances.
- Leadership: Students will enhance their leadership capabilities through CCI leadership programming activities focused on reflection and goal-setting.
- Action Planning: During their time in the United States, students will develop an action project, portfolio, or community outreach plan to create positive change in their home communities upon returning to Bangladesh.
Fields
The CCI Program offers study in the following fields:
- Agriculture
- Applied Engineering
- Business Management/Admin
- Early Childhood Education
- Information Technology (IT)
- Media
- Social Services, Health, and Public Safety
- Tourism and Hospitality Management
Eligibility Criteria
Everyone who meets the CCI eligibility criteria 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 a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by a country participating in the CCI Program.
- Is currently residing in the eligible country.
- Is 18 years or older by July 1, 2022.
- Has successfully earned a secondary school diploma, studying in university level 1st- 3rd year .
- Has not completed the equivalent of three years toward a U.S. bachelor’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 selected field of study 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 basic working knowledge of English language as demonstrated by a minimum IELTS 6.0 TOEFL score of 520. (Note: To enroll in credit-bearing courses in an academic field of study, the applicant must meet the minimum language requirements of the host college—usually 500 on the TOEFL test or equivalent scores on other standardized tests. English language training will be necessary and is available for those who do not demonstrate this level of proficiency. Participants with a score below 500 must have an interest in taking English language classes as a primary academic focus; they will have very limited access to courses in their field of study. Participant language skills will be evaluated upon arrival at the host institution. A host campus testing result will be the score used to determine course placements.)
- Has limited or no overseas study experience. Nominees with no prior overseas study or travel to the United States will be given placement priority.
- Meets any customized requirements of the home country Embassy/Consulate or Commission.
- 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 physically able (with accommodations as required) to complete the program in its entirety, 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 their home country 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 2022.
For more information, visit https://bd.usembassy.gov/26982/