The Birth of FUSIA

During the Northeast’s infamous 2003 blackout, FUSIA's founder, Elizabeth Kay, encountered two stranded interns from Hong Kong who needed local assistance. This encounter sparked her interest in overseas internships. In a later conversation with a Hong Kong university principal, Elizabeth offered to help, which eventually led to an invitation to take on students for the university.

Since 2003, Elizabeth has hosted interns every summer. In 2008, she launched a formal internship program in New York City, and in 2014, FUSIA became an official J-1 Intern visa sponsor.

Today, FUSIA fosters a strong alumni network and partnerships with leading universities across the Asia-Pacific, alongside host organizations of all industries and sizes across the US, providing a comprehensive and meaningful exchange experience.

About Us > History & Milestones

Milestones

FUSIA’s BridgeUSA-CCIP Internships have achieved both organizational and cultural success. Each year, the program continues to reach new milestones.

2008
In the first year after its launch, 78 students from Asia participated in CCIP. The students attended internships at 11 hosts in New York and New Jersey.
2009
CCIP grew to 100 participants and 29 host organizations. FUSIA organized the Taste of Harlem, providing students a glimpse of the diverse history, literature, music, cuisine, and dance rooted in Harlem.
2010
The number of partner universities expanded to seven, represented by 130 participants. FUSIA organized the first annual Recognition Ceremony at the Cornell Club, connecting participants with the local community.
2011
CCIP participation expanded to 135 students and 37 host organizations. The Recognition Ceremony grew into a more widely attended event. Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer declared August 16, 2011, “Cross Cultural Internship Day” in Manhattan.
2012
As the internship program grew in popularity, CCIP participation climbed even higher to 142 students. The program received its first federal-level proclamation from Sen. Charles E. Schumer, marking a milestone in the organization’s recognition not only by the NYC business community, but from the US government.
2013
FUSIA was awarded the New York Mets’ Spirit Award in recognition of its accomplishments. Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer declared August 26 “Cross Cultural Internship Day” in Manhattan. FUSIA officially became a designated visa sponsor in the J-1 Intern category later in 2013.
2014
In its first year as a designated sponsor, FUSIA accepted 69 exchange visitors with a reduced quota control number. These students were carefully selected from a pool of 1079 applicants. Despite the challenges of operating with a reduced quota control number, FUSIA remained committed to providing a valuable and enriching experience for all participants.
2015
CCIP continued to grow in popularity, with participation increasing from 69 to 71 students. These students were carefully selected from a pool of 1058 applicants, demonstrating the high level of interest in the program. FUSIA remained committed to providing a valuable and enriching experience for all participants.
2016
Participation grew to 75 students out of 985 applicants. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer declared July 5, 2016 “CCIP Appreciation Day.” Founder Elizabeth Kay was awarded a commendation for her decade of facilitating cultural exchange in NYC.
2017
Proclaiming July 17, 2017 “CCIP Appreciation Day,” Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer recognized CCIP for the fourth time for its dedication to building bridges between cultures. CCIP had another record year for applications, selecting 74 interns from an all-time high of 1355 applicants.
2018
CCIP celebrates its 10th anniversary at Citi Field with 130 guests. Students, alumni, hosts, and US and foreign government officials joined the celebration. Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer declares CCIP Appreciation Day for the fifth time in New York City.
2019
For the sixth year in a row, CCIP Appreciation Day is declared by former Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, in recognition of the program’s continued dedication to cultural exchange. With over 70 high-caliber interns across two sessions, CCIP also boasts the highest number of participating host organizations to date.
2020
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, CCIP demonstrated resilience by continuing the program with participants from HKU. NYEP was also conducted at the beginning of the year, showcasing FUSIA’s determination to continue its mission during challenging times.
2021
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, FUSIA made the difficult decision to pause its program for the year. However, this time was used to revamp the website and copy. A new website was launched at the end of the year, reflecting FUSIA’s commitment to innovation and improvement.
2022
With reopening in some countries, self-placed programs that carry CCIP intermediate culture were introduced. Participants had more flexibility to choose their hosts and activities they would like to join. This new approach allowed for a more personalized experience and demonstrated FUSIA’s adaptability in changing circumstances.
2023
While self-placed programs began to gain popularity, FUSIA decided to start running full-placed programs again in NYC during both summers and winters. This decision reflects FUSIA’s dedication to providing a range of options for participants and its commitment to its mission.
2024
For the first time, FUSIA hosted its annual celebration at the historic Fraunces Tavern on Wall Street, a shift from previous events at Citi Field. The event received over 10 commendations from government officials, recognizing FUSIA's continued leadership in cultural exchange and international collaboration.