Cultural Activities

CCIP Session B students who had arrived before their program start date had an event-filled week, during which they had the opportunity to meet the departing and soon to be departing Session A and C students.

They had arrived just in time to attend the 2014 CCIP Recognition Ceremony at Citi Field on July 8, an event in which supporters of the Exchange Visitor program gathered to celebrate the success of CCIP in its cultural initiative. Due to the good timing of their arrival, Session B students were able to take part in the most important event of the year for CCIP.

"I'm glad that I was able to be a part of the ceremony. Just by seeing everyone at the event, I realize that the New York and overseas Asian communities really care about CCIP and its mission," said Queenie Chan, a second year journalism student at Hang Sang Management College.

The following day on July 9, Session B students made their way to Ellis Island, the group's first experience of seeing a national American monument together. From the ferry, they marveled at the Statue of Liberty, which was given to the United States from the French in commemoration of the US – France coalition during America's fight for independence.

Students not only saw and took photos of Lady Liberty, but they also visited the immigration museum on the island. As they roamed through the museum, they gained new knowledge of America's history through visual displays of the 1800 and 1900s.

"It was great to see the symbol of freedom and democracy in person," Ryan Chan, a second year City University of Hong Kong studying creative media.

With this first taste of American history, the students continued their journey through national history on July 11 with a trip to Washington, DC, the city of vistas and arguably, the most historically significant capital in the US.

The students went on a tour organized by the Student Advisory Board (SAB), eager to visit DC's iconic locations, including the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, and the White House. Students wished they could have stayed longer in DC because of its many attractions, but there was still so much more planned for the weeks to come!

"I can't believe we did so much in such a short time," said Diane Xie, a second year Business Design and Innovation student at the University of Hong Kong, who also was one of the leaders of this trip. "I think this was a great way to start the program and get exposed to American history and culture in a fun and exciting way."

Students returned from their trip exhausted, but with a newfound appreciation for America and its history.

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Another CCIP chapter has closed today, with the successful conclusion of 2014 CCIP. All of the students celebrated their accomplishments and time together in the Blue Room at the Flushing YMCA. At this last gathering of the year, the program organizer said a few words in acknowledgement of their efforts and team spirit during the program.

The students then received their program certificates and reference letters. Several students were presented with awards for their exemplary performance in the program.

"I will really miss everyone," said Lira Liu, a second year Integrated Business Administration and Journalism and Communication double major at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "But we now have a lot of great memories we share."

Tomorrow, all the students will leave the US and return to Hong Kong, where they will immerse themselves in their studies again. Many students asked how they could refer their friends back home and at their schools to the program. Several students expressed their interest in helping out for the 2015 program recruitment, which will begin in mid-October.

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On the evening of August 20, Lewis Xiao, a 2009 CCIP alumni and former STAR Award winner, met with current CCIP student participants at the Flushing YMCA in a thought-provoking discussion. In the seminar, Xiao, now an employee at the multinational computer technology corporation, Oracle, talked about his experience with CCIP and offered insight about embarking on a career path. The seminar was led by Lira Liu and Queenie Chan, current participants and Student Advisory Board (SAB) leaders.

Excited to hear the success story of a CCIP alumni, the students had arrived at the meeting room early. They readily absorbed Lewis' story and advice, understanding better how to approach life after CCIP. The student interviewers asked questions specifically relevant to CCIP students, such as interview advice and how CCIP can benefit one's career.

The session began with Elizabeth Kay providing a brief introduction, in which she remembered Lewis for having a positive and mature mindset. She explained that Lewis was always someone who stood out in the program as an individual who always puts his best effort into anything he undertakes.

Can you give a quick introduction of yourself?

Of course. I participated in CCIP in 2009 when I was a student at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). I later pursued my master's degree in computer science at Cornell University. I now work in California at Oracle in software development.

Do you have any advice you can share from your experience with applying to jobs?

Because of my field, interview questions were actually quite technical. But one thing I can share based on my experience is that many apply to good jobs. Most resumes are largely screened out in just a few seconds because they lack key words, have bad layouts and formatting, lack consistency, etc. These points are things that students often miss.

What is your next step career plan?

My current position is in software development. I lead a team of four. In my company, I can choose to move toward senior tech or management. For me, I prefer management, but that doesn't mean I don't like the technical side.


How has CCIP benefited your career?

CCIP saved me a lot of effort in learning to adapt to an American working environment. For example, when I applied to CCIP, EK (the program director) spent a lot of time coaching me on how to write professional emails and how to approach host supervisors. These things were teachings that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

What advice do you have for current and prospective CCIP participants?

I think preparation is very important. Before the internship, research about the company. If possible, ask what to prepare in advance. Also, nurture relationships and establish mutual trust with the supervisor, which is all very important.

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Over the weekend of August 9 and 10, Session B students from the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) joined in the festivities of the 24th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY), an annual sporting event in celebration of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. Thirteen participants, representing FUSIA Communications and CCIP, raced in the dragon boat competition while other CCIP students volunteered at the festival booths.

This year's CCIP booth's theme is cultural enrichment. CCIP crafted and distribute colorful flower balloon bracelets at FUSIA's booth, which attracted many visitors. The students engaged the community with their spirit and energy. The students had much fun handcrafting and distributing balloon bracelets, taking photos with the kids, learning about the local culture, and teaching visitors about their own.

"This is my first time to not only take part in such a huge event as the manager for both our booth and race team," said Queenie Chan, the manager of the booth and a second-year student who studies business journalism at the Hang Seng Management School. "We had a lot of fun coming up with the ideas for the booth and working together at the festival. A lot of people showed interest in us and were very supportive of what we do in the program."

Meanwhile, the CCIP paddlers showed their morale and determination in the dragon boat races, inspired by the cheers of their peers. Although the team did not gain a victory, the weekend was still a success for all, through engagement with communities, volunteering, and a display of true team spirit.

"We really are all in the same boat. I think we all did well in the race keeping up the energy, and the volunteer team did a great job at the booths!" said Diane Xie, CCIP's dragon boat captain, a second-year student who studies business design and innovation in the University of Hong Kong.

At the festival's end on Sunday, the students had dinner together at Applebee's to celebrate their hard work and volunteer efforts over the weekend.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (www.hkdbf-ny.org) is the oldest and largest dragon boat festival in the United States. It is held annually in the Flushing-Corona Meadows Park. The festival hosts over 120 dragon boat teams from across North America and provides visitors with traditional Chinese foods and performances.

FUSIA Communications, the organizer of CCIP, has supported this event as a creative sponsor since 2012.

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On July 27, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students headed to Woodbury Commons Outlet, a major shopping destination two hours away from New York City in Central Valley. The outlet features 220 stores with famous designer labels at discounted prices, attracting many who visit New York City.

When the students reached their shopping destination, they eagerly roamed the large outlet and marveled at the displays and luxury goods at Burberry, Coach, Prada, and more. The students enjoyed a day filled with window shopping and purchasing apparel and accessories for themselves and their friends and family back home.

The students returned to the bus in the evening exhausted but content with their shopping experience. While many of the students enjoyed the deals they found, all the students also appreciated seeing another area of New York that was very different from the busy metropolis that New York City is.

"So many people are here at this outlet, but it's still different here compared to New York City," said Juno Luk, a student at the University of Hong Kong studying business and law. "It was good to see a different part of New York that I'd never seen before."

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To New Yorkers, city parks are the oases of New York City, making it all the more important to keep them clean and pristine.

In an effort to give back to the NYC community, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students lent a helping hand at Cunningham Park in Queens on July 26. The students picked fallen leaves off the park's grounds and filled trash bags full of them, ensuring that the park looked its very best for visitors.

For many of the students, this activity was their first time volunteering for a community.

"Cleaning the park may not sound like a big deal, but actually, every little action counts," said one of the Student Advisory Board (SAB) leaders who organized this activity, Young Zhang, a Macau University of Science and Technology student majoring in supply chain management. "I think that is what volunteerism is all about. It's helping in any little way you can in order to contribute to something much larger."

CCIP, organized by FUSIA Communications, a designated sponsor of the US State Department's Exchange Visitor Program, attracts student participants who wish to gain both professional and cultural experience through a structured and guided internship program. Volunteering is just one of the ways in which CCIP students are encouraged to engage with the NYC community.

Special thanks to the NYC Department of parks and Recreation and the Friends of Cunningham Park, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the maintenance of Cunningham Park.

About Cunningham Park: A 358-acre oasis of fields, ponds, trails, recreation facilities and precious forest in Eastern Queens, Cunningham Park has been a meeting ground for New Yorkers throughout the past century. Today, Cunningham Park is an integral part of the New York City greenway system, providing essential growing space for flora and fauna.
To New Yorkers, city parks are the oases of New York City, making it all the more important to keep them clean and pristine.

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On July 25, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students devoted their day to learning about business and economy from industry professionals at a local bank in Manhattan and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETO-NY).

The students first went to a local bank to learn about the banking system at both the national and local level, gaining an understanding of how US banking institutions are run. They also got an inside look at the various products that banks offer, learning about how products are developed in response to the trends and challenges faced by the banking industry in the US.

Following the session at the bank, the students visited HKETO-NY, where they met with the Office's Acting Director, Paul Cheung, who gave an engaging presentation about HKETO's work and provided insight regarding the economic, trade, investment, academic, and cultural relationship between Hong Kong and the US.

Cheung holds a Master's in Public Administration (International Relations) from Columbia University and a Bachelor's in Business Administration (Professional Accountancy) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where over 20 percent of the students who attended CCIP this year come from.

Located on 54th St in Manhattan, HKETO-NY was established in 1983 with the mission to strengthen economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the 31 eastern states of the US. It is one of the three offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) in the US.

"Today was a very thought-provoking day," said Lira Liu, a second year CUHK student studying integrated business administration and journalism who also organized and led the two visits. "I have much more knowledge and understanding about the importance of building business relations not just locally, but globally as well."

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The Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students were once again reminded that safety is of utmost importance, especially when travelling in a foreign country. On July 23, Sergeant Ray Morales and his NYPD team visited the Flushing YMCA, where students reside during the duration of their program, to give an engaging and useful talk about how to avoid and respond to crime.

The officers advised the students to exercise caution and take extra measures in order to avoid becoming targets for crime. They also stressed that students should always be aware of their surroundings.

After the talk, students had the opportunity to express any safety concerns during a question-and-answer session.

"The talk helped me remember that I have to be extra careful, especially because I am new here," said Young Yang, a third year student studying supply chain management at Macau University of Science and Technology. "It was a good talk because it was more than a reminder. Sergeant Morales and his team gave us useful tips that we all can use when we are out in public."

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On July 22, the Cross-Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students enjoyed an evening of beautiful classical music performed by the Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra (HKCSO) at the renowned Merkin Concert Hall, located at the Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan.

The Orchestra was led by its Honorary Guest Conductor, Dr. Gabriel Leung, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, and Dr. Yip Wai-hong, Music Director and founder of HKCSO.

CCIP students from Hong Kong particularly appreciated HKCSO's efforts in promoting Hong Kong through the arts. The orchestra, composed of musically gifted children aged 7 to 18, had travelled all the way from Hong Kong to New York to begin their tour in North America. Soon, HKCSO will make its way to Toronto, Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver BC.

HKCSO was established in 1996 to recruit musically talented children. Since its beginnings, HKCSO has presented talented soloists and international competition winners. In 2001, HKCSO began performing for audiences all over the world with annual concert tours and through participation in exchange programs.

"Being from Hong Kong, I was thrilled to support the HKCSO," said Ben Chung, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong studying Insurance, Financial, Actuarial Analysis. "We all agreed that the children played wonderfully, and I am proud of their accomplishments that go far beyond music itself."

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On July 20, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students traveled to New Jersey to visit Princeton University, a vibrant community of scholarship and learning.

Upon arrival, the students enjoyed walking around the campus grounds and taking photos of the world-renowned research university. They also grabbed a bite to eat at local eateries frequented by university students to get a little taste of university life at Princeton.

In the early afternoon, the students joined the university's signature Orange Key Campus Tour, a student-run tour that introduced CCIP students to the beautiful campus and the school's history.

Founded in 1746, Princeton has a rich academic history as one of the nine Colonial Colleges established before the American Revolution and was the fourth chartered institution of higher education in the American colonies.

After an enriching time at Princeton University, the students went to Jersey Gardens, a two-level indoor outlet mall in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The students enjoyed the rest of their day having fun and shopping together at the biggest outlet mall in New Jersey.

Special thanks to Student Advisory Board (SAB) leader Ryan Chan, a City University of Hong Kong second-year student studying creative media, for leading the event.

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Ready, set, row!

On July 19, twelve dragon boat team members from the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) held their first practice at Flushing Corona Park in preparation for their upcoming race at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, which is held annually in August.

Although it was their first time rowing, the students quickly adjusted to both rowing the boat and rowing as a team.

"It's challenging, of course," said co-captain Diane Xi, who studies business design and innovation at the University of Hong Kong. "But we're confident that we will do well at the festival. We are pretty excited to compete."

The students plan to practice more next week to improve their speed.

"It's all about teamwork. We can't row straight or fast without working together, so that's going to be our main focus," added co-captain Ryan Chan, a second-year creative media student at City University of Hong Kong.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a multicultural sporting event held in New York to celebrate the fifth moon of the Lunar Calendar and is one of the largest dragon boat events in the United States. It began in 1990 on the Hudson River in Battery Park City and was first promoted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York City.

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CCIP, here we go again!

The Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students of Session B are more than ready to continue the legacy Session A students had left.

At the Recognition Ceremony at Citi Field on July 8, Session A students who had come earlier in May had "passed the boat" to the newly arrived Session B students, keeping with the program's mantra of "We're all in the same boat." With Session A students having departed on July 12 to return to their home countries in Asia, it's now up to Session B to keep the momentum going.

On July 13, Session B students gathered for the Post-Arrival Orientation at the Flushing YMCA, where they reside during the duration of the program. During the orientation, students met with each other as well as the housing facility staff and the program organizer.

Each student was asked to study the Pre-Departure manual beforehand and present a specific topic related to the program.

The energy from the students could be felt in the room, with the chatter and laughter coming from the students who had already bonded at various activities during the past week, including a visit to Ellis Island and a trip to Washington, DC.

The Student Advisory Board (SAB) meeting then took place, in which student leaders discussed the planned activities for the next seven weeks, adding even more excitement to the room.

"I think there will be some challenges of living in a new place, but I think this group will make it easier," said Kevin Fung, a first year business student from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. "I can't wait to learn and explore this city with them!"

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On July 10, students spent their evening sitting under the stars and listening to a symphony orchestra performance by New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO) at Cunningham Park.

As the oldest American symphonic institution, NYPO holds a reputation of being one of the best and biggest orchestral names in the nation. NYPO certainly exceeded the audience's expectations with the orchestra's beautiful and melodious performance.

Since 1965, the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have become a cherished summer experience for New Yorkers. Every summer, picnickers and music lovers gather at the parks to hear classical music.

For the students, the concert was a great way to unwind after a long work day. And as one of the last activities for Session A students, this event was all the more memorable for them, especially because they were given the rare opportunity to mingle with Session B students.

After the performance, students admired the fireworks while sitting or laying on the grass. The fireworks brought a close to their evening in an exciting and festive way.

"It was wonderful to relax and celebrate our time here with the local community. I am glad I had the chance to see such a reputable orchestra play, and I have an even greater appreciation for classical music now," said Siying Wu (Sylvia), the Chinese University of Hong Kong student. "I'll definitely remember this night."

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Two Hang Sang Management College (HSMC) representatives from Hong Kong spent July 7 to July 9 in New York City getting an inside look at the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) in order to better understand their participating students' experience in the program.

The two representatives included Careers Assistant Manager Yvonne Chan and Careers Officer Amy Chu, who are directly involved with guiding and watching over the professional welfare of HSMC students.

"We truly appreciate the extensive support from Elizabeth and all the internship hosts to make the program an invaluable learning opportunity and experience to all the participating students," Chu said.

Chan and Chu arrived just in time to attend CCIP's Recognition Ceremony at Citi Field on July 8, an event in which they were able to meet many supporters of the program who had come together to celebrate the communal success of CCIP's cultural exchange initiative. During the ceremony, Chan said a few words of appreciation to the program and its organizer, noting the immense benefits the program had afforded to HSMC students.

The following day, Chan and Chu had a busy day making visits to sites involving the program. They first visited the Flushing YMCA, where students reside during the seven weeks of their program. They then went to Dumbo, Brooklyn, where FUSIA Communications, the program organizer, is based.

The representatives then moved on into Manhattan to visit five host companies in the city, including Landair Project Resources; GC Eng & Associates, PC; CMP; Djam Insurance Brokerage; and Padilla & Company.

At the host companies, Chan and Chu got feedback from both hosts and students, giving them a direct idea of what the internship is like for students.

"We are glad to gather favorable feedback from students on how the CCIP program has enhanced their multi-cultural exposure and communication skills," Chan said.

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The Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP, www.theccip.com) celebrated another year of accomplishments and brought together key supporters of its cultural initiative by holding the 2014 Recognition Ceremony at Citi Field, home of the Mets, on July 8.

Over 130 guests, including students, government representatives, university partners, and host representatives, attended the event to celebrate the joint efforts of the greater New York City community members and students from Asia to promote cultural exchange through the Exchange Visitor Program.

Speakers at the ceremony included NYS Assembly Member David I. Weprin, NYC Councilman Peter Koo, and representatives of:

- Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand
- Congresswoman Grace Meng
- Comptroller Scott M. Stringer
- NYS Assembly Member Nily Rozic
- NYS Assembly Member Ronald Kim
- NYC Councilman Mark S. Weprin

The government officials also presented letters recognizing the contributions of the program in its cultural endeavors. Ms. Yvonne Chan, representing Hang Seng Management College, one of CCIP's partner universities, also commended CCIP for its ability to provide students enriching experiences that a traditional academic environment cannot. Host organizations then took the stage to describe their positive experiences working with CCIP students.

As a token of appreciation to the host organizations for helping CCIP further its mission to promote cultural exchange, CCIP students presented plaques that were handmade by them to each host.

The ceremony commemorated the students' experiences in the program with a video presentation produced by CCIP students. The photos featured in the video offered a touching inside look at CCIP student life that also took students on a trip to memory lane.

In turn, all students were presented certificates of completion for successfully finishing the program. Five exemplary students were also presented with the STAR Award, the highest recognition they could receive from the program. The auditorium was filled with the enthusiastic cheering and applause for the students, who had built meaningful relationships with each other and the community at large.

A 'passing the boat' ceremony followed, in which students lined up and passed a boat from hand to hand, essentially passing the torch from Session A students, who had begun the program in early May, to the newly arrived Session B students.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Marc A. Haken, Youth, Education and Library Committee Chair of the Community Board 8 in Queens (CB 8Q) and program advisor, who thanked the participants, program organizer, hosts, and the various associates who had contributed immensely to the success of CCIP in its goodwill initiative.

After the ceremony, the Spirit Award was presented by the Mets to honor those who have made outstanding contributions in the community, amongst which FUSIA Communications was honored for its work in bridging relations between the US and Asia, as well as developing future global leaders. FUSIA Communications is a Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsor for the J-1 Intern category.

A baseball game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies followed the close of the ceremony, providing students a beloved and classic American experience to end the night. And to top off the evening, the students were happy to see that their cheering from the bleachers paid off when the New York Mets won.

While the ceremony marked the end of the program for CCIP's first wave of this year's participants, it also marked the beginning for Session B students, who have seven exciting weeks in the US to look forward to.

About the organizer: Established in 2002, FUSIA Communications, Inc. (www.fusia.net) specializes in cross-cultural communications. FUSIA Communications established CCIP as a social enterprise project in 2008. Since its beginning, the program has provided close to a thousand participants with the opportunity to engage in trans-cultural collaboration by interning at host companies and organizations located in New York and New Jersey.

About the program: The Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) takes place in New York City every summer from May to August in two seven-week sessions. CCIP stresses East-West cultural exchange and is aimed at individuals who and organizations that share a global vision. The program collaborates with eight elite partner universities to recruit the most promising candidates.

Participating host organizations in 2014:
Office of Congresswoman Grace Meng; Office of NYS Assembly Member Nily Rozic; Office of NYC Council Member Peter Koo; Admerasia; A Partnership;BoConcept New York; C & L Accounting; CMC Development LLC; CMP; Colon & Peguero LLP; Crystal McKenzie; Djam Insurance Brokerage; Fusia Communications; GC Eng & Associates, PC; Genesis Realty Group LLC; Hamilton Madison House; Joe's Music and Dance Academy; Landair Project Resources; Padilla & Company, LLP; Sing Tao Newspaper New York; Mary Nittolo, Inc. (the Studio); Toto Group; Trans Express USA; Yu & Associates, Inc.

Participating partner universities in 2014:
The University of Hong Kong; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong University of Science & Technology; City University of Hong Kong; Hang Seng Management College, Careers Office; National University of Singapore; Nanyang Technological University (Singapore); Macau University of Science and Technology (Macau)

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CCIP Session B students who had arrived before their program start date had an event-filled week, during which they had the opportunity to meet the departing and soon to be departing Session A and C students.

They had arrived just in time to attend the 2014 CCIP Recognition Ceremony at Citi Field on July 8, an event in which supporters of the Exchange Visitor program gathered to celebrate the success of CCIP in its cultural initiative. Due to the good timing of their arrival, Session B students were able to take part in the most important event of the year for CCIP.

"I'm glad that I was able to be a part of the ceremony. Just by seeing everyone at the event, I realize that the New York and overseas Asian communities really care about CCIP and its mission," said Queenie Chan, a second year journalism student at Hang Sang Management College.

The following day on July 9, Session B students made their way to Ellis Island, the group's first experience of seeing a national American monument together. From the ferry, they marveled at the Statue of Liberty, which was given to the United States from the French in commemoration of the US – France coalition during America's fight for independence.

Students not only saw and took photos of Lady Liberty, but they also visited the immigration museum on the island. As they roamed through the museum, they gained new knowledge of America's history through visual displays of the 1800 and 1900s.

"It was great to see the symbol of freedom and democracy in person," Ryan Chan, a second year City University of Hong Kong studying creative media.

With this first taste of American history, the students continued their journey through national history on July 11 with a trip to Washington, DC, the city of vistas and arguably, the most historically significant capital in the US.

The students went on a tour organized by the Student Advisory Board (SAB), eager to visit DC's iconic locations, including the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, and the White House. Students wished they could have stayed longer in DC because of its many attractions, but there was still so much more planned for the weeks to come!

"I can't believe we did so much in such a short time," said Diane Xie, a second year Business Design and Innovation student at the University of Hong Kong, who also was one of the leaders of this trip. "I think this was a great way to start the program and get exposed to American history and culture in a fun and exciting way."

Students returned from their trip exhausted, but with a newfound appreciation for America and its history.

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After last week's visit to the United Nations to learn about climate change initiatives, CCIP students returned once again to the UN, but this time, to be part of a discussion that hits close to home for them. The students were invited to the UN to hear incumbent President of the UN General Assembly, John Ashe, speak at the event, "A China Story II: A New Model of Urbanization."

Organized by the China Energy Fund Committee, a think tank in Hong Kong with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the event engaged students with a discussion led by experts, including Ashe, about how China, the world's largest developing country, prepares itself for urbanization.

"I appreciated the discussion because the issues are applicable to many of us in CCIP," said Chelsey Yip from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "I feel more knowledgeable about China's development, so when I return home, I feel that I will have a better understanding of China and its growth in the global market."

Students felt invigorated by this event to become global leaders who are socially responsible and develop solutions that are economically viable, environmentally friendly, and culturally inclusive.

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In light of the July 4 three-day weekend, students joined together for an exciting holiday trip to Niagara Falls, the collective name for the three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the US, as well as Boston, the capital and largest city of the state of Massachusetts in the US.

This activity was the first to include students from all sessions. Just to be a part of this activity, half of the Session B students arrived early to the program.

On July 4, all students gathered in front of the Flushing YMCA. Though it was very early in the morning, the students were filled with anticipation. The tour was chartered by Mr. Fred Fu, owner of Shine Travel, board manager at Flushing YMCA, and an active part of the local community.

On the first day, the bus headed directly to the Falls, and students arrived at their destination at around 6 pm. Students spent close to three hours strolling about, happily eating, and most importantly, watching the July 4 fireworks.

On the second day, after a free breakfast provided by the hotel, students left the hotel at 8:30 am. They enjoyed a boat ride that brought them right up to the roaring waters, then left the Falls at 12 noon to get to Boston, just in time for lunch. They checked out the famous Quincy Market, had a delicious lobster meal, and left the market feeling full and satisfied.

They then headed back to New York but first made a stop at the famous Yale University, where they took photos. They continued on their way to New York, reaching the Flushing YMCA in the evening.

"Niagara Falls is really fascinating. I was glad to have seen one of the seven wonders," said Alice, a Chinese University of Hong Kong student.

"It really is worth the eight hours to get there," added Dan, a National University of Singapore student.

Chinese University of Hong Kong student, Lira, especially liked Boston. "It was both amazing and efficient to visit one of the seven wonders, plus three universities including MIT, Harvard and Yale University, all in one trip."

Special thanks to SAB leaders - Muhammad Noor, Danial Bin Noorrashid, Alice Choi, Kamen Chan, Ryan Chan and Lir Liu for organizing this activity.

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On June 26, students had the opportunity to meet with Morgan Jones, the senior adviser for outreach for Mayor Office of Housing Recovery in Queens. Students heard firsthand about New York City's flood recovery program Jones helped launch last year, Build It Back, in response to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Since the storm that devastated hundreds of New Yorkers last year, with 150,000 needing to find temporary housing or get immediate home repairs, Jones has worked tirelessly to help those who have been afflicted by the flood.

Sandy was the largest hurricane to be recorded over the Atlantic Ocean and wreaked damage in the greater New York City area, resulting in it becoming the second costliest storm in American history, after Katrina. Working with developers and focusing on rebuild options, Jones' Build It Back program was allocated $648 million from the $61 billion federal sandy recovery bill that Congress passed in January 2012.

"It's great to know that someone like Morgan Jones is working to help those in need," said National University of Singapore's Jenny Jiang. "What's even more outstanding is that he gathers so much support from the community and encourages them to help each other out."

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Washington is a city of vistas -- a marriage of geometry and art. Unlike other large cities, DC was the first planned capital in the world. It is the most historical, the most significant.

On June 28, Session A students attended a two-day private charter tour organized by the Student Advisory Board (SAB) in conjunction with Mr. Fred Fu, the owner of Shine Travel and a Board of Manager of the Flushing YMCA.

In the early morning, students gathered outside of the Flushing YMCA to board the bus. It took about five hours to get to DC. Upon arrival, it was already lunch time. Students first enjoyed lunch, followed by visits to iconic locations, including the Lincoln Memorial, White House, and Capitol Hill. The bus left DC at 5 pm and headed to Georgetown, a historic neighborhood, commercial, and entertainment district located in northwest DC.

The second day's journey kicked off with a complimentary breakfast provided by the hotel. The students visited the National Ceremony (known as the Soldiers' Home), followed by the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, which holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world.

Students enjoyed lunch and visited three famous museums, such as the National Museum of Natural History, and then headed back to New York.

The leaders of this tour, who come from the National University of Singapore, Veronica and Adella, said, "Every sightseeing spot represents a portion of America. As a participant of the Exchange Visitor Program, this trip makes the entire internship program deep and meaningful.

"I especially enjoyed the museum visits," said Alice from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Special thanks for Mr. Fred Fu and SAB members -- Kam Man (CityU), Alice (CUHK), Diane (HKU), as well as Veronica and Adella (NUS) for organizing this trip.

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On June 20, CCIP students had the opportunity to visit Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's district office to learn about the structure and electoral process of the American government, as well as to hear about the work that Senator Gillibrand is involved with.

Arelis Hernandez, Director of Outreach, hosted the visit that was both informative and engaging.

Students learned that Senator Gillibrand was sworn in as New York's Senator in January 2009, filling the seat of the current Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Senator Gillibrand's commitment to her promise of 'transparency' when she was sworn in won her the admiration of the students. They were surprised and pleased to learn that she was the first member of Congress to post her official daily schedule and personal financial reports online.

Wing Yee Chung (Winnie), a student from the City University of Hong Kong, said, " I have a much better understanding of the American political system now. I also really appreciate Senator Gillibrand's efforts to make the government more open and transparent. She's a great role model for future leaders."

The visit was enlightening to many of the students because they were given a clear idea of how the American political system is different from that of their own country. A question-and-answer session also provided a chance for students to direct more specific questions about the US political system to the staff. Students received thoughtful and comprehensive answers for all their questions.

To commemorate the visit, the students took a group photo with Ms. Hernandez and the staff. Thanks to Senator Gillibrand, Ms. Hernandez and the staff, the students agreed that the visit was an enriching experience.

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With climate change becoming a more urgent and pressing issue for our global communities, students had the privilege of learning about the United Nations' initiatives to confront climate change directly from Former Chief of Mission in East Timor and Iraq, Harbachan Singh, on June 20.

Having served in the UN for 30 years before retiring, Singh still continues helping humanity by being involved in local organizations that deal with social, economic, and legislative matters. Singh's close ties to the UN and his enthusiasm to promote communal solutions for global issues meant that students got an exclusive tour of the exhibits on climate change at the UN, the headquarters for international peacekeeping.

Students learned about the devastating impact of climate change, one in which economic and social inequality would be exacerbated with the increased competition and conflict over agricultural, marine, and water resources.

Through the exhibits and Singh's explanations, students began to realize just how big the issue of climate change is and how the UN is working toward a long-term, international solution.

"Mr. Singh really made me understand that climate change is really a global issue," said Yiping Cai, a student from the City University of Hong Kong. "And even though dealing with climate change is a challenge, I think this is also an opportunity for the whole world to work together to solve this problem that affects all of us."

After the tour, students had lunch together in the UN Delegates' Dining Room where they enjoyed a gorgeous view from one of the most historic buildings in the nation.

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New York is a melting pot of a wide variety of cultures that come from all walks of life to either work, live or study. This includes J1-Visa exchange students, who come from around the world to have the opportunity of being exposed to the American way of life while interning in a wide array of industries.

Three lucky CCIP students and other fellow J1-Visa interns were fortunate enough to be part of a discussion with Richard Stengel, the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, to share on their experiences and take back from their program.

The event titled ‘Leadership for young global professionals today’ was also aimed at strengthening relations with J1-interns and promoting future leadership development opportunities in the US should they wish to return. During the event, Mr. Stengel candidly shared his wonderful experience as Managing Editor of TIME magazine, as well as his notable work on Nelson Mandela’s autobiography.

Overall, the event was an exciting opportunity to engage and learn from other international students' experience, as well as to improve the students' understanding of the overall work of the UN.

Topping it off was definitely the location of the event, held on the 22nd floor of the U.S. Mission to the UN, where everyone marveled at the spectacular helicopter views of the nearby United Nations as well as the Brooklyn Bridge!

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Students experienced an eclectic blend of America’s art culture with the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island on June 14. The largest art parade in the nation, the Mermaid Parade has traditionally been a celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk fun.

On this hot, summer day, Coney Island became more than just a seaside attraction. Along with the CCIP students, hundreds of thousands showed up, some even in shimmering mermaid costumes and faces painted in blues and greens, to see the artworks of over 1,500 creative individuals from New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.

As the students walked through Coney Island, they saw parade floats and vintage cars, listened to local bands, and admired the showcased artwork.

"I've never been to anything like this," said second year Public Relations and Advertising student Cleo Mai, one of the student leaders for this activity who came from Macau University of Science and Technology. "A lot of things were so unfamiliar to me at the parade, but I could appreciate how American culture includes so many different things."

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On June 22, four lucky Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students watched the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees play at the Yankee Stadium after George Yu from the National University of Singapore and Eveline Jiang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong received free tickets from their host company, Genesis Realty Group LLC.

The two students who watched the game with George and Eveline included Jenny Jiang from the National University of Singapore and Derrick Luo from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The students witnessed the conclusion of this season's heated battle between Baltimore and the Yankees, in which both teams were contending for second in the AL East. With so much at stake, Baltimore made sure to bring their game to the plate, and undeniably won with the final score coming down to 8-0.

"It was a very exciting game that even ended with a homer," said George. "I really appreciate that my host gave me these tickets. I can't go home without seeing a Yankee game!"

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On June 20th, more than twenty CCIP students visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETO-NY). These fortunate students met with the Office's Acting Director, Paul Cheung.

Located on 54th St in Manhattan, HKETO-NY was established in 1983 with the mission to strengthen the economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and the 31 eastern states of the USA. It is one of the three offices of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) in the United States.

Cheung holds a Master’s in Public Administration (International Relations) from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Professional Accountancy) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where over 20 percent of the students who attended CCIP this year come from. Cheung gave a passionate presentation about HKETO's work, as well as the relationship between Hong Kong and United States.

After the presentation, students stayed for a roundtable discussion with Cheung, who shared his personal experience about working as an Administrative Officer in the Hong Kong government for 10 years and briefed students on the latest career prospects for Administrative Officers.

"It was a great activity. I learned from different angles about Hong Kong, which is where I originally come from. I am so proud that I am a Hong Kong citizen," said Chinese University of Hong Kong’s student, Alice, who served as one of the student leaders for this activity.

Winnie, another student leader from the City University of Hong Kong agreed. "We see that the government indeed put a lot of effort in promoting the economy and trade by helping Hong Kong businesses take on challenges," she said. "It really is a great work!"

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CCIP students danced away in New York City during NYC Dance Week 2014. The city-wide event was held from June 19 to 28 to celebrate diversity through dance. Free dancing classes were offered to all by different studios, such as Hip Hop and Jazz.

New York City is famous for dancing, with performers dancing even in the subways. In Hong Kong, dancing in the streets or subways is typically viewed as unusual. However, these dancers are appreciated as artists in New York City. By participating in dancing, students realized how through performance, different community members could be brought together.

"We enjoyed the dancing classes a lot and one of our members won a NYC Dance Week T-shirt and souvenirs. Hurray!" said Alice Choi, a liberal studies major at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

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On June 15, students loaded up on a bus and headed to Woodbury Commons Outlet, a major shopping attraction one to two hours away from New York City, to get in on the deals. The outlet features 220 stores with famous designer labels at discounted prices.

When the students finally reached Central Valley, New York, they excitedly roamed the vast expanse of the outlet, both window shopping and reaching into their wallets when seeing stores like Burberry, Coach, Prada, DKNY, and more.

While many of the students who returned to the bus in the evening with shopping bags clearly enjoyed the great deals they found, all the students appreciated seeing another part of New York. While they were quite familiar with New York City now, the students saw just how different other parts of New York are.

"There were a lot of people at the outlet, but it definitely was a different feeling being here than in New York City," said first year Chinese University of Hong Kong student, Oscar Chung. "Everything is more open and spaced out here. I can't believe how different places are just one hour or two hours away from another location!"

Students returned to their residence at Flushing YMCA at 9 pm, exhausted but pleased with the day's trip.

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Given New York City's reputation as a concrete jungle, it's no wonder that New Yorkers love their city's parks.

And in an effort to give back to the city and its people, twenty-three exchange visitors lent a helping hand at Cunningham Park on June 14 by filling trash bags with the leaves they picked up off the park's grounds, making sure the park looked its very best.

These exchange visitors are participants of the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) organized by FUSIA Communications, a designated sponsor of the US State Department's Exchange Visitor Program. For many of the students who had traveled all the way from Asia to participate in the program, this activity was their first time volunteering.

"But this activity isn't just about volunteering," said Cloris Chan, a student leader of this volunteer initiative who studies at the City University of Hong Kong. "We learned about the importance of keeping our environment clean. Especially in an urban place like New York City where we don't see a lot of greenery, we need to make sure that we take care of the city parks."

"Today we experienced how global communities can become vibrant and strong through action. As exchange visitors, we are proud to give back to the city where we intern for seven weeks," added David Wang, another student leader of this activity.
In appreciation for the volunteers' efforts, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation gave the students tickets for the Big Apple Circus, a seasonal performance by circus troupes at the Cunningham Park.
It was a tiring but fun and rewarding day in which the students, community, and environment were truly connected through the act of volunteerism.

Special thanks to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and the Friends of Cunningham Park, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the maintenance of Cunningham Park.

About Cunningham Park: A 358-acre oasis of fields, ponds, trails, recreation facilities and precious forest in Eastern Queens, Cunningham Park has been a meeting ground for New Yorkers throughout the past century. Today, Cunningham Park is an integral part of the New York City Greenway system, providing essential growing space for flora, fauna and humans.

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While students had been given safety tips at the Post-Arrival Orientation, the students were once again reminded that safety must come first, especially when traveling in a foreign country. On June 12, Officer John Chiam and his NYPD team members gave an engaging and informative talk on avoiding and responding to crime.

The officers recommended taking precautions to avoid becoming a target for crime and emphasized how students should be always aware of their surroundings.

The discussion was followed by a question-and-answer session, during which students were given the opportunity to voice any safety concerns.

"It was a really useful talk," said Kam Man Chan, a second year E-Logistics and Technology Management student of City University of Hong Kong. "It's easy to forget about the possibility of crime when you're having so much fun and doing a lot of things. It helped me remember that I have to be more careful when traveling."

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On June 8, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) welcomed the newly arrived Session C students with an orientation at the Flushing YMCA's Blue Room. These students from top partner universities in Asia gathered to kick off their seven-week internship in a room buzzing with their excitement and laughter.

Students reviewed useful information about living in New York as a CCIP participant, with the orientation covering topics such as housing guidelines, program rules, and safety tips. With 24 host companies providing professional mentorship and training to these bright, young students, and with many fun-filled community activities and enrichment events planned for them, all students were encouraged to make the most of their time in New York.

"I can't believe how lucky I am to be here," said Helen Dan, a third year Hotel Management student of Macau University of Science and Technology. "I'm definitely going to be involved in as many activities as possible. I know this will be a valuable and unforgettable experience.”

In the midst of the orientation, Student Advisory Board (SAB) leaders from Session A also met in the Blue Room to greet the new students and also to start paper cutting decorative designs for commendation plaques that would be given to noted community members at the 2014 Recognition Ceremony. A few of the SAB leaders chimed in during the orientation, giving advice and encouragement to Session C students and lastly, prepping the students for the exciting line-up of events for their seven-week stay in New York.

Hearing of all the activities planned for them, students chatted about the events that most excited them while they mingled after the program briefing session.

All Session A and C students then gathered outside the YMCA for a group photo, marking the beginning of a new journey together in the Big Apple.

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On June 8, 2014, a group of the Cross Cultural Internship Program exchange visitors visited the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) located on Central Park.

Enter the ANNH on Central Park West, pass the statue of President Theodore Roosevelt, and there, towering above you in the main hall, is one of the most impressive displays of dinosaur anatomy on the planet. It’s a replica of a Barosaurus skeleton, and at some 45 feet, it’s the tallest dinosaur exhibit in the world.

Everything about the AMNH exists on a grand scale, which is befitting for an institution whose mission is nothing less than the study of everything in the natural world, including the universe and the taxonomy of all known creatures, living and extinct.

The AMNH’s holdings comprise more than 30 million specimens, only a portion of which can be displayed at any one time. You can easily get lost meandering through the massive museum’s 46 permanent exhibition halls, which is a pretty wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

On June 8, 2014, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) students visited the American Museum of Natural History, located on Central Park.

The students first entered the Museum on Central Park West, passing a statue of President Theodore Roosevelt. In the main hall, the students saw one of the most impressive displays of dinosaur anatomy, a replica of a Barosaurus skeleton, the tallest dinosaur exhibit in the world standing at 45 feet.

"I saw so many fascinating things at the museum," said Eva Lau, a second-year Hang Seng Management College student. "I learned so much while having fun, too."

Founded in 1869, the Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, serving as a guide to the world's cultures by advancing its global mission to discover, interpret, and pass on knowledge about human cultures.

The Museum's collection comprises more than 30 million specimens, meaning that only a portion of the holdings can be displayed at any one time. The students enjoyed the day wandering through the museum’s 46 permanent exhibition halls.

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On Sunday, June 1, the Filipino American community in the US celebrated the Philippine Independence Day by holding a parade at Madison Avenue, following the tradition holding the celebration on the first Sunday of June.

Padilla & Company, LLP, a Filipino American-owned CPA firm, is one of the organizations hosting CCIP interns. Eight CCIP students were invited by Padilla to partake in the parade.

Since its beginnings in 1993, the parade had steadily garnered attention not only from the Filipino American community, but also from the general population of the New York metropolitan area. The purpose of this celebration is to create awareness of Philippine culture and to raise funds for charity projects.

The festivities included the Diwa ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Freedom, a beauty and talent contest), Youth Festival, Independence Ball, Consul General Night, Grand Marshal Night and many other interesting parts. Filipino performers wore the colorful costumes of their native culture, danced, and interacted with the audience.

CCIP students enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere very much and were all fascinated by the variety of performances. All students eagerly took photos of the parade. Some of them even joined the parade’s performers and took photos with the Filipino community.

David Wang, who studies at the City University of Hong Kong, and Vince Wong, who studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, led this activity on behalf of the Student Advisory Board (SAB). Both currently intern at Padilla & Company through CCIP.

"I never imagined so many Asians in New York. Filipino is such a big community," David said.

"This activity was fun and fruitful," Vince said. I learned so much about Asian American culture and the multiculturalism of the US community."

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"Aren't you interested to trace the history of America? Come with me!" said Veronica, a third year Economics student from the National University of Singapore, who was the leader of this trip to the Statue of Liberty.

Under the bright and shimmering sky, we traveled to the Statue of Liberty via ferry on the 31st of May. The statue was given to the United States from the French in memory of the US – France coalition during America’s war for independence. This colossal sculpture currently stands on Liberty Island, which is located in the middle of the New York Harbor, surveying the entire view of New York City.

As we approached Liberty Island, what came first within view was the Statue of Liberty. All the students were thrilled to see her in the distance; some waved at her, some took pictures with her, and most students were scrambling around for the best position to see her.

Afterwards, we continued our journey to Ellis Island and toured its immigration museum. Roaming through the museum, we encountered new knowledge of America's history through a plethora of visual displays of the 1800 and 1900s. All that we saw and learned came across as stunning to many of us. This was such an informative and fruitful trip. Our impression of the US certainly extends far beyond New York City as being simply known as the "Big Apple" of our modern times!

"Ellis Island is absolutely amazing. We walked around the place with the aid of an audio tour, and the historical sculptures that made up the exquisite museum were amazingly beautiful. Join me on this trip, and you definitely won't regret it!" said Winnie, the other leader for this activity, who is a first year Business Administration student from the City University of Hong Kong.

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CCIP 2014, we're ready!

Traveling from halfway across the world, thirty plus elated undergraduates from Singapore and Hong Kong gathered in New York to attend the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP). As the students in session A begin to arrive, the winsome cultural exchange commences.

This year, CCIP works with eight elite partner universities in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau. Students, each with unique characters and backgrounds, come across from Asia to New York City to gain practical experience and cultural knowledge through the State Department's Exchange Visitors Program.

The 2014 program kicked off on May 24 when all students have arrived in New York City. The students attended the Post-Arrival Orientation at the Flushing YMCA where they reside during the duration of the program. During the orientation, students met with each other as well as representation from the housing facility and the program organizer. Each student was asked to study the Pre-Departure Manual beforehand and present a specific topic.

The orientation was conducted under an exciting and engaging atmosphere that livened students and kicked the program off to a great start. Students were ready to embark on this life changing opportunity for the next seven weeks.

Next up was the Student Advisory Board (SAB) meeting in which designated student leaders enthusiastically discussed the arrangements for the forthcoming activities, including assigning activity leaders and reviewing travel itineraries.

Looking forward to what's to come, Jenny Jing, a student of National University of Singapore majoring in Statistics, said, "I can't wait to explore the following next seven weeks. It will definitely make my holiday different and legendary." That very same sentiment was shared among all the participants.

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