Deadline: 8-Jan-21
The U.S. Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire has launched the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program to foster mutual understanding between the citizens of the United States and the citizens of participating CCI countries.
The CCI Program encourages a broad and holistic academic learning and exchange experience and focuses on five pillars: academic; cultural exchange; service-based learning; professional and career development; and, leadership and action planning. All pillars of the CCI Program are of equal importance. 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 leadership capabilities, and strengthen English language proficiency. The Program 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 U.S. commitment to increased access to higher education for international students from underrepresented and underserved communities in selected countries and highlights the learning environment offered at U.S. community colleges. The program also supports U.S. community colleges’ efforts to deepen international education partnerships and programs.
The CCI Program offers study in the following fields:
- Agriculture
- Applied Engineering
- Business Management/Admin
- Early Childhood Education
- Information Technology (IT)
- Media
- Public Safety
- Tourism and Hospitality Management
Eligibility Criteria
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 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, 2021.
- Has successfully earned a secondary school diploma.
- Has not already completed the equivalent of three years toward a U.S. Bachelors’ 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 paper-based TOEFL score of 400. (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. All participants will be retested upon arrival at their host institutions. The 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 his/her 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 2021.
For more information, visit https://ci.usembassy.gov/education-culture/study-usa/educational-exchanges/