Cultural Activities

On June 2 after a busy first two weeks in the US, seven of the CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors took a break and went to enjoy a big adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure over the weekend. The must-visit amusement park has been up and running in New Jersey since 1977 and is famous worldwide for its enormous roller coasters.

With over 18 thrill rides, including the renowned El Toro, Six Flags is a noisy, fun, one-of-a-kind experience. Ice Cheung, activity coordinator from the University of Hong Kong, was enjoying herself. “The wild rides were as exciting as getting to New York City,” Ice added. “It’s nice to relax a bit after just getting started with your internship."

Attending Broadway Shows, marching in parades, and viewing art at MoMA lets interns experience the cultural life of New York and achieve a solid work-life balance during their brief seven-week stay in New York City. But a visit to Six Flags let them take in the lighter side of life in the US: popular entertainment and nonstop cheer.

Rocky Kwong is another activity coordinator from the College of Business of the City University of Hong Kong, now interning at Calligaris. Rocky also had a blast leading the interns to the amusement park. “The park is so huge -- not like any other parks I have ever been to,” he exclaimed. “How great it is to finally come to Six Flags and get a taste of fun American-style!"

Traveling from halfway across the world, thirty students from Singapore and Hong Kong gathered in New York City to kick off the 2018 Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) and to celebrate the special occasion of CCIP’s (www.theccip.com) 10th anniversary.

This year CCIP continues to work with high-ranking partner universities across Asia. Seventy students, each with unique characters and backgrounds, come to New York City to gain practical experience and cultural knowledge through the State Department’s Exchange Visitors Program offered by FUSIA, a designated J-1 intern visa sponsor.

Students traditionally begin their internships with a post-arrival orientation, held this year at the First Chinese International Bank on Main Street, Flushing. The students live in the culturally diverse neighborhood of Flushing, gaining valuable experience with internships at respected host organizations throughout the five NYC boroughs and New Jersey.

The orientation offered an occasion for students to mingle and get to know each other. Student leaders and activity coordinators presented a calendar of upcoming cultural activities, while program representatives made sure to cover important highlights, safety reminders, and ground rules. The atmosphere was one of excitement in anticipation of a summer rich with cultural and practical experiences.

Group leader Natali Ghui from Singapore Institute of Management, a new CCIP school partner said, “I look forward to starting my internship tomorrow, and I hope the students like the activities list. The other leaders and coordinators and I worked really hard on it."

Nanyang Technological University’s Jocelyn Chua, another group leader, said, “I can’t wait for the one-of-a-kind experience of an internship in such a vibrant city. Looking forward to the adventures with new friends to be shared while I am here."

Twenty CCIP (www.theccip.com) students participated in the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade for the third year . This year, CCIP exchange visitors marched with NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and local citizens to acknowledge veterans and fallen US heroes.

Held annually since 1927, the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade is the largest of its kind in the nation. This year marks the parade’s 91st anniversary.

At 1 pm sharp, the students marched along with parade groups starting at the firehouse at Jayson Avenue and Northern Blvd and ending with a wreath-laying ceremony.

Shannon Tsui is a coordinator of this activity. Shannon, who is herself a US legal permanent resident, grew up in Hong Kong and is studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “It is moving to march in a parade with veterans and celebrate those who made great sacrifices. Doing so makes me value peace even more."

"The music and crowds were very stirring,” said Kelly Cheung, another activity leader from the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.

This past Sunday, a second group of CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors returned to the Statue of Liberty. For most of them, it was their first chance to visit the iconic and world-renowned national monument in person.

Donated to the US by the people of France and officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, Lady Liberty is located on an island in Upper New York Bay and attracts four million people a year. The hot, breezy day was perfect for riding a ferry out into the bay.

The tour took them to Liberty Island, where the students were able to take pictures at the pedestal and see the impressive landmark up close. Many selfies were taken with Lady Liberty watching from above. The students enjoyed not only a chance to explore the monument, but a day out on the water.

The activity was organized by two student leaders, Pavendeep Kaur from the City University of Hong Kong and Calvin Huang from the Open University of Hong Kong.

"Serving as an activity leader is quite an experience,” Paven said. “There were a lot of details to manage -- getting a group of over 20 people on and off a boat on time is not always an easy process. The trip was a good reminder that I always need to plan ahead."

After visiting the statue, the tour continued on to Liberty Island, where the student visited the museum commemorating more than 12 million immigrants who arrived in the US between 1892 and 1954. The history of countless American families began at the island, where arrivals had to undergo an admission test and where surnames were often Americanized by immigration officers.

"The museum is full of information, stories, and artifacts,” Calvin commented. “It makes me appreciate my own family history and value my stay in the US."

Last weekend saw the arrival of a new group of exchange visitors ready to begin the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) on the occasion of CCIP's 10th anniversary. The program is divided into two core sessions, with students from Asia arriving in NYC the first and second half of the summer to take part in rigorous internships offered by business and government as part of cross-cultural exchange.

Upon arrival, the exchange visitors attended a post-arrival orientation session, where they reviewed the best ways to make their internships and their New York experience successful. Many of the students will take part in helping plan group activities and trips, either as group leaders or activity coordinators.

"I’ve been preparing for this program for months, " said Jackson Lai, a student from the Open University of Hong Kong. "I know there will be challenges this summer, and I’m looking forward to overcoming them," added Yichun from the University of Hong Kong.

Both Jackson and Yichun are student leaders for the group, helping administer the program and oversee activities. Both have been communicating with program administrators and exchange visitors since early this year.

Group leaders are given extra responsibilities throughout their time in the program to help them develop important skills for future careers.

"When I return home, I know I will have gained so much valuable experience," Jackson said. "I felt I had to take this opportunity if I wanted to be able to get ahead in the workplace."

After the orientation, CCIP Founder and Responsible Officer Elizabeth Kay founder took Jackson and Yichun to a Korean restaurant to thank them for their hard work. Surprisingly, Jackson was able to order lunch in Korean -- he has studied and traveled in different countries, including Korea and the UK.

On Sunday, a group of CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors took a bus to Central Valley, New York for a fun day of shopping at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. This popular mall has over 200 shops and services, including outlet stores carrying Coach, Burberry, and Gucci.

Woodbury Common draws visitors from all over the world because of its impressive deals on products from popular name brands and high-end retailers. For the exchange visitors, the day trip was an opportunity to stock up on gifts and souvenirs at much lower prices than they would find back home.

Ceci Lee and Carrie Fu were the activity coordinators for this Sunday’s trip. Some of the exchange visitors take on the job of organizing these types of trips because the extra responsibility improves their leadership skills.

“My internship is teaching me a lot of important things for my future career,” said Ceci Lee, an economics major at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. She is currently interning at Harry’s Nurses Registry in Queens. “But I’m also gaining a lot by coordinating these trips. I know it’ll look good on my résumé.” For this trip to Woodbury Common, Ceci made arrangements for the bus company to pick up and drop off the group at their hotel.

All of the activities that the group does together are organized, at least in part, by one or more of the exchange visitors.

“I think everyone had a good time at the mall,” Carrie said. She is an accounting and finance student from the University of Hong Kong, interning at DJAM Insurance Brokerage Inc. “We have had educational activities, and we have done volunteer work. This trip leaves a great memory for everyone. Moreover, I have enhanced my leadership skills and communication ability by acting as a coordinator.” Cooperating with Ceci, Carrie also contributes to dealing with the bus arrangements and coordinating the whole group.

This weekend kicked off the final session of the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com). The recently arrived exchange visitors met together for a Post Arrival Orientation to review important information and prepare for a summer of new experiences.

Throughout the summer, groups of exchange visitors arrive from Asia to intern with host companies across New York City, including advertising agencies, non-profit organizations, and government offices. The internships are an opportunity for these college students to gain real world experience that will be useful in their future careers.
Karen Chan, who is majoring in law and business administration at the University of Hong Kong, will intern at the office of New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim. Among her responsibilities will be official interactions with constituents from the assemblyman’s district.
“I’m going to learn a lot this summer,” Karen said. “It’s not just that I’ll be getting first-hand career experience, this program is also a unique cultural opportunity.”
While the exchange visitors are here, they participate in activities and events intended to give them a better understanding of American culture. As a group, they visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Broadway shows, local festivals, and many other fun and educational events.
“When I originally read about CCIP,” Karen added, “I knew that I would regret it if I didn’t join. I’m definitely very happy to be here.”

On Tuesday, exchange visitors with the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) gathered together to see the 9/11 Memorial Museum and travel up to the One World Observatory.

Opened on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the museum provides a history of the two towers that fell after being hit by hijacked planes. The exhibits also provide insight into the day of the attacks and the restoration process. Outside of the museum, there are memorial pools with the names of every victim engraved into the surrounding walls.

Afterward, the group went to the observatory of the recently built One World Trade Center which provides a 360-degree view of the city.

This activity was coordinated by Valerie Chan and Jackson Lai, both students from the Open University of Hong Kong. They were responsible for getting activity tickets and arranging a meet-up for the group.

“It was really important for me to help organize this activity,” Valerie said. “That site is very important to so many people, and I think it’s necessary for us, as exchange visitors, to see those sorts of things and better understand what this country went through on 9/11.”

Jackson, in addition to coordinating the activity, is a group leader for the program.

“I like having the extra responsibility,” Jackson stated. “I joined CCIP because I wanted to improve my job skills, but also so I could gain new talents and become a stronger leader.”

On Thursday, the CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors had a unique opportunity to observe a court trail in person. The Honorable Kenneth Holder, Justice of the New York State Supreme Court welcomed the group into his courtroom to give them a first-hand experience of the U.S. legal system.

Judge Kenneth Holder was elected to the Queens County Supreme Court in 2008 and began his law career in 1985 after earning his J.D. degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Owen Qi, a law student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was an activity coordinator for this visit to Justice Holder’s court.

“I had been looking forward to this event ever since I first heard about it,” Owen said. “I’m so appreciative to Justice Holder for allowing us to observe a felony trial. It gave me a much better understanding of the court system in this country and I learned a lot from what he told us.”

Justice Holder took time to talk directly to the exchange visitors about the American justice system and answered questions from the group.

“It’s opportunities like this that made me want to join CCIP,” said Yichun Fang, another activity coordinator. Fang attends the University of Hong Kong. “You can read books and newspapers, but seeing a real trial in person is so much more educational.”

Over the weekend, a group of CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors volunteered their time to clean and maintain Cunningham Park, one of the largest parks in Queens. New York City’s extensive park system includes over 30,000 acres of land, so volunteers are integral for maintaining the appearance of the vast areas.

At 358 acres, Cunningham Park is frequented by locals and tourists every day and is one of the most popular sites in all of Queens. The park includes paths for running and biking, various sports fields, playgrounds, and ample space for lounging about and enjoying the sun.

The volunteering activity was coordinated by Owen Qi and Shannon Tsui, both students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Owen, who is studying law, explained why this activity was such a unique opportunity. “We’ve been told how important volunteerism is to American culture. Volunteering to clean up the park felt like a way to repay this city that has been so welcoming.”

In addition to their internships, the exchange visitors participate in a variety of activities designed to help them appreciate American culture better. While volunteering at Cunningham Park, they met with locals and learned more about the city and its parks.

“You can tell that people here take great pride in their parks,” Shannon explained. “New York City is sometimes described as a concrete jungle, but there are actually many green places in the city and locals want them to stay beautiful. They’re doing a great job with Cunningham Park.”

On the second-to-last week of their internship program, 24 CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors took a trip north to Boston, capital of Massachusetts and the oldest city in United States. Known for its key role in the American Revolution and now for its contemporary prominence in innovation and entrepreneurship, Boston is always a popular destination for CCIP participants, who are drawn to leading schools such as the Massachusetts Institution of Technology and Harvard University.

A student at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, group leader and activity coordinator Jocelyn Chua shared how she felt planning the trip for the students. She said, “At first, it was quite difficult to find an apartment for a big group to all stay together -- we were 24 in all. Moreover, it was a challenge to plan activities for everyone in the group to enjoy because we all wanted to explore different things. But after I got to know everyone better throughout the program, they gave me many suggestions for the trip. My other activity coordinator, Charles Lam from City University in Hong Kong, was also very helpful in preparing the necessary information for our travels in Boston. It was great to have everyone join in to make this trip an exciting and successful one!"

Boston features numerous historic sites, so many must-see tours of the city are available to visitors. The CCIP group scheduled the Kennedy tour, which follows the charismatic Kennedy political family from their start as Boston power brokers. Visits to historic sites for photo opportunities and experience bring US history and its struggles and triumphs alive for CCIP participants.

The exchange visitors also had the chance to visit MIT, academic home to some of the world’s most brilliant scientists and engineers. Singapore Institute of Management student Charnpreet Kaur exclaimed, “I was so excited to see MIT! It was really breathtaking to walk on the campus of this school!"

On the 18th of August, a group of CCIP J-1 interns (www.theccip.com) had the opportunity to head to Boston, America’s oldest city and the capital of Massachusetts. Famous for its historic part in the American Revolution and as home to some of today’s top-tier schools, Boston was an exciting city for the CCIP to explore.

Some of the must-do prospects on the trip’s list of things to do included visits to leading universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Nanyang Technological University student Parthiban R., also a group leader and one of the trip’s activity coordinators, was thrilled to be given the opportunity to plan the outing for his fellow participants. “I’m really glad I was able to bring my friends here to such inspiring and amazing locations. To know that so many brilliant people have studied here and now to get to walk around on this campus is mind-blowing to me!”

Having lived in New York for awhile now, students were acclimatized to the sights and sounds of American city life. However, giving the students ample time to explore other parts of the historic city gave them a different experience of America. Activity coordinator Jackson Lai, a student from Open University in Hong Kong, shared a highlight. “At first, I wasn’t sure what there was to do in Boston, but I enjoyed walking through the city and seeing how different it is from my home country and from New York.”

CCIP not only lets students experience working in America, but also gives them exposure to the culture and history of the country -- and exchange visitors find there’s a lot to enjoy. It is safe to say that the students had a memorable time in Boston and that the trip gave them an opportunity to experience more of what the US has to offer.

It’s been running for 14 years on Broadway and packed theaters in Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, and London. It’s bold...it’s emotional...it’s Wicked. Younger audiences love this alternate take on the Wizard of Oz classic told from the outcast wicked witch’s point of view. An inspiring story lets singers cut loose, and the passionate score put stars like Glee and Frozen’s Idina Menzel on the map.

Macy Chan from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology joined Grace Li from the University of Hong Kong, leading a group of CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors who met to catch the musical after work in Midtown on July 10.

"I think of Broadway singing as a certain style, but this was more like film music -- very powerful and contemporary,” said Macy.

"I was touched by the number of young girls in the audience,” remarked Grace. “It’s a story about rivalry and struggle, but also about being your best self -- something we can all aspire to.” Other students enjoyed the musical and would recommend it to CCIP exchange visitors.

CCIP (www.theccip.com) participant Yichun Fang, who is a J-1 intern at NYS Assembly David Weprin's office, attended the Panel on Resilience in NYC Post-Sandy on Friday, July 20, 2018.
 
"I interned in Assemblyman David Weprin's district office, and I was lucky enough to try many different new tasks, one of them being legislative research. As a political science and law student, I began to see the links between academics and actual world practices, and I became very interested in American constitutional law," said Yichun. 
 
Yichun Fang is a year 1 student studying law, politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong. She is interning in New York City for 12 weeks. She has been recently selected to receive the Betty Ho Essay Prize on Contract Law 2017-18.
 
"I also served on multiple activities as a coordinator and became one of the student leaders of the group. This experience has allowed me to groom my leadership skills, helped me get to know more people, and build stronger friendship and professional networks, " said Yichun.

It’s home to big things: a giant whale hanging from the ceiling. And small things: “Lucy,” the skeleton of one of the first humans, looking pretty good at over three million years old. Whether giant creatures or microscopic life forms appeal to one’s imagination, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is one of NYC’s must-see attractions.

On Sunday, May 27, eleven CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors made their first activity visit to the museum. This activity was led by Renee Yan from the Education University of Hong Kong and Owen Qi from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Created in 1869, the AMNH is one of the largest museums in the world, and it’s a challenge to see it all. So students broke into groups to follow different interests. One group checked out the monumental multimedia exhibit Unseen Oceans. Another explored the solar system with Dark Universe. And another group took in the last day of the Butterfly Conservatory.

Group leader Owen, opted to see the butterflies. “The museum is over a hundred years old,” he said. “But being in the midst all those live species reminds you that the Natural History Museum has a conservation mission that’s very important today as well. It was cute to see little kids having fun at the exhibit while learning about nature. “

Rocky Kwong from the City University of Hong Kong bought a special exhibition ticket for Unseen Oceans. “The oceans are such an important part of our planet and there’s still so much we don’t know about them. The show really made me want to stay on top of the next discoveries. Of course I also hoped to go to Dark Universe -- next time!"

After a two-day visit to Washington, DC, to observe Congress in action, Session B of this year’s CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors visited the American History of Natural Museum (AHNM) on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on July 15.

The museum is one of New York’s most popular attractions, with its Unseen Oceans a draw with a powerful conservation message. Another exhibit, Dark Universe, is narrated by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, a popular science educator and head of the planetarium at the museum’s Rose Center for Earth and Space.

"This was my idea to come here,” said Jackson Lai, a student leader from the Open University of Hong Kong. “I was the first student to propose this activity to the group. Some of us went to the Unseen Oceans exhibit -- that’s a special show that requires a separate ticket -- and a few went to see one about the human body."

Activity coordinator Siyu Han from the Macau University of Science and Technology handled the trip logistics. “I was happy to organize this activity. It took some doing to get everyone from Queens to uptown, and groups had to stick together because there are a lot of little kids running around. Luckily we all had the perfect place to meet -- under a dinosaur skeleton."

It is a CCIP (www.theccip.com) program tradition to give originally-designed paper cut gifts honoring host organizations and supporters at the annual CCIP Day event. The paper-cut gifts are handmade by a group of selected students, with each year embodying a new theme.

This year's theme is the Year of the Dog, commemorating the CCIP J-1 Internship Program's tenth anniversary with integrated Chinese symbols such as a peach-shaped bun (prosperity and birthdays) and the number 10 (totality). The paper aims to captures the cheer and excitement of the exchange visitors as they gain a new appreciation of different cultures.

Students submitted and contributed designs, but Jonathan Lam's design made the final selection. A student leader from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Jonathan said, "I had never thought of coming up with a sample paper cut as such a tough yet rewarding task.

"Being selected was not easy -- a lot of competitors had good designs to show. I am glad my design was chosen for this year. "

There's more to the paper-cut project than just choosing a design. Execution of the final product is important too. A group of students including Hazell from Nanyang Technological University, Jackson Lai from Open University of Hong Kong, and Charles Lam from City University of Hong Kong will lead the paper cut execution team. Under their supervision, the whole CCIP group will assemble 60 frames presented at the recognition ceremony on July 6.

Jackson Lai said, "It seems simple to put these together, but it isn't as easy as it looks. We have to make sure the left and right sides are equal and that the edge are smooth. After our first day I am glad we've completed 20 percent of the frames. We'll continue to work hard and get all 60 frames done by this week."

On Thursday Aug 2, 2018, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors were given an inside look into the American political system when they visited the district office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Members of the senator's senior staff were on-hand to discuss their duties and answer questions.

Senator Gillibrand was sworn into office in 2009, replacing the former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the near-decade since she took office, the senator has made a name for herself as a staunch advocate for equal rights as well as the state of New York.

The two activity coordinators for the visit were Karen Chan and Catherine Chan, both students at the University of Hong Kong.

"The staff at Senator Gillibrand’s office were very informative," said Karen, who is studying business administration and law interning at the office of New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim. "There’s so much I still have to learn about how the U.S. government functions, but they were able to answer a lot of questions I’ve always had."

Activities like the visit to the senator's office are offered to give the exchange visitors a well-rounded understanding of both American culture and the nation’s government.

Catherine, who is studying civil engineering and is interning at Yu & Associates, an engineering firm, talked about why she was so excited about this visit.

"I'm learning a great deal being here in New York than if I were just doing an internship back home," Catherine said. “My internship is teaching me a lot, but I’m also gaining so much more just by being here."

After visiting the office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, CCIP exchange visitors (www.theccip.com) continued a day of international insights by traveling to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETO-NY).

The HKETO opened it's New York office in 1983 and has been instrumental in maintaining an open dialogue between China and the United States. It is one of three American offices operated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Macy Chan, who is majoring in global business at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, had been anticipating this visit for weeks.

"I could see myself doing the kind of work they do at ETO someday," Macy said. "It's so important that nations have open communication between each other. This is why I signed up for CCIP. "

Karen Chan said she's gaining a greater appreciation for the differences and similarities between her home country and the United States.

CCIP (www.theccip.com) J-1 interns were invited to attend the Youth Leadership Forum organized by the China AIDs Fund on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at the Sheraton East LaGuardia Hotel.

The youth forum offered a dialogue on opportunities in different career fields. Participants held constructive discussions on how to acquire relevant job skills. As well as exploring career opportunities, young people socialized and shared their experiences.

The youth forum was hosted by a panel of accomplished Asian-American speakers, including Mr. Yen Chen, Director of Customer Success at the artificial intelligence firm CognitiveScale, Ms. Rene K. Ip, Senior Vice President of Design and Production at high-end clothier J. McLaughlin, and Mr. Edward M. Ip, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of sales innovator POS.com. Students were inspired by their motivational messages.

"I appreciated the forum immensely because it helped me connect with other students, " Serena Wong, an intern from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "The discussions were made especially interesting because of our cultural differences, but I was glad to learn that we all share the goal of giving back to the community, no matter our age or personal interests. "

Kalin Hui, another intern from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, added that she was stimulated by the messages from the speakers. "There is no short-cut in life. As students, we need to discover our passions, create a better world, and go for what we want! "

The China AIDs Fund is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by a group of mostly Chinese-Americans in New York City. It aims to improve the life of medically, economically and socially deprived children in China and to cultivate heritage and leadership among students of Chinese descent in America. This forum was organized to realize the latter goal, providing a platform for Chinese youth to explore their potential in a multi-cultural global community.x

On Friday, August 10, CCIP exchange visitors and the program’s PR team gathered in Manhattan’s famous Times Square to take photos in preparation for the 2019 summer recruitment.

The assembled group were dressed to the nines as they showed off their professional best in front of one of the most iconic backdrops in the world. With the billboards and crowds of Time Square behind them, the students from Asia posed for photos in hopes that their images would be used in the program’s promotional materials.

Phoebe Guan, an accounting and finance major at the University of Hong Kong, was an activity coordinator for the day and the director of the photo shoot.

“We wanted to capture how exciting it is to be in New York City,” Phoebe said. “There is no other city like it, and that’s a big draw for students who are considering internships. I know it was a big part of the reason I picked CCIP, and I’m so happy that I did.”

It was a light-hearted and productive photo shoot, with dozens of photos taken that captured the fun of CCIP. Of the many bright images, the PR team selected one of the group photos for the poster because it reflects the sense of community and teamwork that CCIP embodies.

“We were all strangers when we arrived,” Phoebe added, “but we’ve made lifelong friendships now.”

On Thursday, exchange visitors with the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) joined a seminar on community banking.

The talk was hosted by Mark Ricca, president and CEO of First American International Bank (FAIB). Group leaders Parthiban R, a graduate student studying at Nanyang Technological University and Phoebe Guan, currently intern FAIB, helped set up the meeting. After the seminar, Mr Ricca took the students for a festive networking dinner at a restaurant on Chinatown's Bowery.

Earlier this year, Phoebe joined the Exploration Professional Tour in New York, organized by University of Hong Kong and FUSIA Communications, organizer of CCIP. She was impressed by FAIB and New York City, and chose to return for a full professional internship at FAIB.

"This is the second time I've attended this talk by Mr. Ricca," said Phoebe. "Now at FAIB I find the seminar especially useful -- a lot of the topics are related directly to what I'm doing every day."

Another participant Catherine Chan, a student at the University of Hong Kong, said, " I was especially impressed by Mr. Ricca's generosity. I appreciated his taking us to dinner, where we were able to talk and interact in a casual setting after the seminar."

Joe, a student at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, is interning with NYS Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. "Though I am not a business student, I got a lot out of the talk, especially the part about community relations. It's relevant to the constituent service aspect of my internship."

Mark Ricca, president and CEO of FAIB, has more than 25 years of business experience, including expertise in finance and law with a special focus on community banking. He was also the managing partner at the law firm Ricca & Donnelly and has been a graduate-level professor of banking.

On July 31, thirteen dragon boat team members from the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) held their second practice at World’s Fair Marina for their upcoming race at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. They trained together with esteemed dragon boaters from the Wall Street Dragons.

Although it was their second-time rowing, the students quickly adopted new rowing techniques to improve their speed and sync together as a team.

"It's challenging, of course," said captain Parthiban R, who studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. "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 Macy and Brian, who studies at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and University of Macau respectively.

After training hard, the team retreated for dinner. “I like how Dragonboat brought people together as a team and the camaraderie that we share with each other” said Jacquelin Chu from Hong Kong University.

The Dragon Boat Festival is an annual 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.

Movies and TV shows about NYC feature gangsters and criminals up to no good, but the city is much safer today than in the recent past. Safety is still important, however, so on Thursday, July 12, Officer Mark Burger and a few representatives for the New York Police Department met with the CCIP (www.theccip.com) J-1 interns to give the new arrivals tips on how to best stay safe while living in Queens and moving around the city.

Since the program’s inception, the NYPD has supported CCIP in helping ensure exchange visitors’ security. The safety talk offered recommendations for navigating the city without becoming a victim of crime or injury. The talk included a list of dos and don’ts and rules for how to protect personal belongings. As in any big city, common sense is essential for staying out of potential danger.

This session was Joe Wong of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology led the activity. “I appreciated the chance to meet with the officer,” said Joe. “New York is crowded and can be intimidating, so I welcome professional advice on how to avoid trouble. I feel more in control of my own safety now."

The NYPD’s 109th precinct includes the part of Flushing where CCIP interns are living for the summer. In June, first-session interns were invited to a barbecue hosted by the 109th Precinct Community Council. They asked questions about what police work is like in a metropolis like NYC and posed for pictures with uniformed officers -- New York’s finest.

The CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors come to America to learn about international business and government and see world famous sites. In the midst of all of that, though, they also hope to find time to shop, which is just what they did this last weekend at Woodbury Common.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is an outlet mall in Central Valley, New York, about an hour and a half north of New York City. The mall is a favorite destination for locals and tourists looking for amazing deals on items from Barneys, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and so much more. With more than 200 stores, Woodbury Common is a shopper’s delight.

“I would have spent five or six times as much on everything I got at Woodbury if I bought it back home,” explained Doris Yiu, a student at the City University of Hong Kong. Along with Stephanie Yu, Doris was the activity coordinator for this day trip. “I bought presents for my family, and, of course, for myself.”

Outings like the trip to Woodbury Common offer opportunities for the exchange visitors to organize and plan their own activities. The coordinators are responsible for arranging transportation, taking payments, and making sure everyone gets to and from the destination on time.

“I like the responsibility,” Stephanie said of being an activity coordinator. She made arrangements with a local bus company to have the group picked up from and dropped off directly at the group’s residence. “There are organization skills that I’m learning, and I think it’ll make me a better leader as I go further in my career.”

During the week, the exchange visitors intern at companies and organizations throughout New York City, including engineering firms, accounting agencies, and government offices. This is the tenth year for CCIP, which has helped hundreds of students from across Asia have their first overseas internship experience.

With the summer halfway over, a new group of exchange visitors arrived to take part in the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com). This group will be interning for seven weeks with different companies throughout the New York City area.

On Sunday, the group attended their Post Arrival Orientation, a get-together that provides for a review of important information and also allows the new arrivals to get to know one another. The orientation ended with a group picture in their matching CCIP t-shirts.

For most of the visitors, this is their first time being overseas on their own, so the program provides helpful tips on how to transition to the new culture.

“It’ll be very different being in New York,” said Phoebe Guan, a University of Hong Kong student who is majoring in accounting. “For most of us, this program will bring a lot of firsts, and I’m excited to be part of that.”

In addition to being an intern at First American International Bank, Phoebe is a group leader for CCIP. Group leaders keep the program running smoothly by helping with administrative needs and facilitating open communication between the exchange visitors and administrators.

On June 3, CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors joined the AmericaChina Public Affairs Institute (ACPAI) to march in the Celebrate Israel Parade 2018 for the first time.

This year’s parade theme was “70 and Sababa!” (70 & Awesome!) Over 40,000 marchers from many organizations across the city celebrated the 70th anniversary of the state of Israel.

In just 70 years, Israel has prospered beyond belief and expectation, developing a thriving economy and a vibrant tech sector. In 2011, the name of the Parade was changed to Celebrate Israel to focus on celebrating the vibrant and diverse nation and its close ties to the US.

At 11:30 am sharp, the students marched along with ACPAI’s team in the parade starting at the Manhattan’s Fifth Ave from 57th to 74th Street.

Shannon Tsui, a student from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Lily Chan, studying at the Education University of Hong Kong, jointly coordinated this activity. They both intern at ACPAI this summer.

Shannon said, “It is a beautiful moment to see how people from different backgrounds support a US ally. It is a great show of solidarity and community."

"It is moving to march in a parade with Israelis and their American friends to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary, “ added Lily.

New York, NY - May 29, 2018 (Tue) - The 9/11 Memorial Museum opened on the tenth anniversary of the attack that took nearly 3,000 lives in 2001. It now stands in the shadow of the enormous One World Trade Center.

The CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors gathered after their internships on Tuesday to visit the museum and learn more about the history of the fallen World Trade Center towers and the people who lost their lives. It was a solemn visit, but also a reminder of the resilience of the city that has become their temporary home.

“It’s hard to really grasp how terrible that attack was until you see the site in person,” CCIP exchange visitor, Jonathan Lam stated. “I will never completely understand it, but the museum gave me more perspective.”

Jonathan, along with Natali Ghui, helped coordinate the activity, which involved going early to attain tickets for the whole group. Both Jonathan and Natali are currently interning with FUSIA Communications, which oversees the internship program.

After visiting the museum, many of the visitors continued the evening by going up to the One World Observatory, which is on the 100-102 floors of the trade center.

“Visiting the museum and then going up to the observatory and seeing that view,” Natali said, “It was a reminder of the amazing things that can be done when people come together.”

New York City might not be the first place you think of when you hear about a gathering of Native Americans. But the Thunderbirds’ 40th Annual Grand Mid-Summer Pow-Wow is NYC’s oldest and largest Native American celebration. Exchange visitors had a rare chance to step inside Native American dance, song, and culture on July 17 at the Queens County Farm. Pavendeep Kaur from The City University of Hong Kong led the activity, joined by The University of Hong Kong’s Catherine Chan, currently interning at engineering consulting firm and longtime CCIP (www.theccip.com) partner Yu & Associates.

The Pow-Wow gathered over different 40 Native American nations. Dressed in ornate costumes and body paint, the Native Americans drummed, chanted, and faced off in dance competitions. Exchange visitors got to try Native American food and check out craft exhibits, but it was really the dancing and singing that kept them mesmerized.

"This experience was so much more intense than what you see in movies or on TV,” said Macy Chan, who is studying at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “I couldn’t take my eyes off the dancers as they circled to the chants -- I was pulled in."

Lily Chan of the City University of Hong Kong added, “This was a different and unexpected view of America. Exposure to stuff like this is really what makes CCIP so unique."

One of the biggest waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls is a natural wonder of the US. Exchange visitors sign up every year for amazing views of this powerful waterfall, which is not only beautiful but generates vast amounts of hydroelectric power.

On last day on June at the tail end of CCIP (www.theccip.com) Session A, 15 CCIP students visited Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is actually made up of several waterfalls; the tallest, Horseshoe Falls, is the second-highest waterfall in the world after southern Africa’s Victoria Falls. The waterfall complex is a majestic sight that makes a thundering sound of water rushing at over 25 miles an hour over cliffs and gorges.

This activity was led by Yichun Fang, a group leader from the University of Hong Kong, and activity coordinator Yetta from the Education University of Hong Kong. “Horseshoe Falls is the biggest,” remarked Yichun, “but I liked the vantage point at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls.” Yetta hopes to come back during her 21-day stay in the US after completing her internship. “I’d like to explore Niagara Falls State Park."

"It was a long ride from New York City and we were tired when we got back, “ Lily Chan commented, “but the trip was absolutely worth it. The falls are a real force of nature. I hope those who passed up this trip won’t be jealous!”

Another participant, Charles Lam from the City University of Hong Kong, particularly liked the boat ride. “You get views you can’t get from on land and the sight is just spectacular. You might get a little wet, but it just adds to the experience."

Over the weekend, CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors took a day trip to the nation´s capital, Washington D.C. Traveling four hours by bus, the group spent their Saturday seeing some of the city´s famous attractions, including the Lincoln Memorial and the many extensive museums.

While the exchange visitors are living and interning in New York City, they have a number of opportunities to take trips or visit famous sites. This year´s trip to Washington was organized by two group leaders, Natali Ghui and Jonathan Lam.

“We wanted this visit to be memorable for everyone,” said Natali, who is a student at the Singapore Institute of Management. “A day isn´t a long time, so we really had to plan ahead to make sure everyone got the best experience for their time.”

The trip gave the group a chance to see one of the world´s political centers. Washington became the capital of the United States in 1800, following New York City and Philadelphia, each of which served as the capital for a short period after the nation´s founding in 1776.

Jonathan, who is studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said, “Visiting Washington has been one of the highlights of my time with CCIP. It´s not as big as New York, but the history of the city is just as interesting.”

The group returned to New York late on Saturday night, tired but in possession of countless photographs and a lot of happy new memories.

It all started in 1997, when the hit animated film Anastasia made a splash. Years later, the musical by the same name made its 2016 debut as a musical in Hartford, CT. Lightning struck again, and in April 2017 Anastasia moved to Broadway, where it has been nominated for numerous awards including the Drama Desk award for Best Musical.

Although a success, the relatively new musical is not as mainstream as the comparable show Wicked. Group leader Jonathan Lam lobbied for CCIP (www.theccip.com) to add this show to the activity calendar and encouraged other students to sign up. It turned out to be the right choice, because 11 Session A CCIP visitors loved Anastasia when they went to see it on June 26.

Anastasia revolves around the legend of the daughter of Nicholas II, Russia’s last tsar. Did the teenaged Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia escape the execution of her family? Years after their tragic deaths, an amnesiac orphan named Anya hopes to trace her heritage by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess. The story is full of twists, turns, and intrigue.

Activity coordinator Hazell Tan from Nanyang Technological University and group leader Jackson Lai from the Open University of Hong Kong led the outing. “Shows like Phantom of the Opera and Frozen are a little more commercial -- this was something special,” said Jackson. Added Hazell, “It was like watching a good old Disney movie -- it had loads of drama and great songs."

"Jonathan, the group leaders, and the activity coordinators were right to fight to get this show on the activity calendar, “ said Owen Qi from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “It was unique and memorable. Tickets are expensive if purchased individually, so getting the group tickets was a big advantage."

Dramatic singing, stunning choreography, lavish stage sets -- there’s nothing like a Broadway show. Seeing one is a must during your time in New York, especially when it’s The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history. With music by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, the beloved musical has delighted audiences around the world since it opened in 1984, and continues to knock ’em dead with its classic tunes and striking visuals.

On June 12, Jonathan Lam from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Dave Cheung from the City University of Hong Kong College of Business led a group of 25 exchange visitors to take in the show at the Majestic Theatre after work.

The show has been a mainstay since 1988 and was the first and only musical in Broadway’s history to surpass 10,000 performances. The musical has been seen by over 140 million people around the world and continues to be one of Broadway’s most popular productions.

"This group of students is sophisticated and pretty hard to impress,” said Jonathan. “But I noticed they were awe-struck from the moment we got into our seats. The performances, the orchestra, and the theater itself were all thrilling."

"I can see why this show keeps selling out,” Dave added. “It’s been around a long time but it still feels very fresh and intense."

Ready, set, row!

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (www.hkdbf-ny.org) is one of the largest dragon boat festivals in the US, an annual sporting and multicultural event held every August on Meadow Lake in Flushing. The festival hosts over 120 dragon boat teams from across North America and provides visitors with traditional Chinese performances and delicious food.

This year, the festival celebrated its 28th anniversary with an opening day parade on Saturday, August 11, and the US Dragon Boat Open Championship Race on Sunday, August 12.

Over 20 exchange interns from the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) participated in the races and the festivities. They wore their team t-shirt featuring the slogan, "We're all in the same boat," -- an expression of how cultural diversity and cooperation can achieve the program's goals.

All CCIP exchange visitors study at top universities in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macau. They attend an exchange visitor internship program in New York with different host organizations, six of which are US legislators' offices. Cultural activities like the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival bring exchange visitors together with New Yorkers for big events and allow them to experience US culture at a grass-roots level.

The festival kicked off on Saturday with a race team parade and lion dance and ended with a dragon ritual. After the ceremony, a few legislators posed for photos with CCIP racers and booth teams, praising their work and team spirit.

On the water, the interns competed in four of the dragon boat races, including the Saturday Heritage Open 200M, Sunday Educational 200M, Sponsor Challenge 200M, and Media 200M. The paddlers showed their morale and determination in tight competition, inspired by cheers from peers and new friends.

Team captain and student leader Parthiban R, a graduate student from Nanyang Technological University, said, "When my co-coordinators and I were planning this event, we hoped it would bring us together as a community despite our cultural differences. I'm glad that after we shared thoughts with the rest of the students, many of them couldn't wait to participate. I think the race showcased our unity and ability to work towards a greater goal!" The team made a strong showing despite their inexperience. "We had to come together quickly as a team to learn how to work as though we had trained together for years," he added. When he's not steering a dragon boat, Parthiban is an intern at Antonio Peguero Jr., a law firm in NYC.

Back on dry land, other CCIP students volunteered at festival booths for which they had designed cultural activities. They met program visitors, interacted with spectators, set up photo booths, and supported a meaningful Flushing YMCA initiative to promote health awareness and bring in donations.

An intern at First American International Bank, Hong Kong University student Phoebe Guan earned her stripes as a group leader managing the racing team and festival booths. "I am so glad to be part of such huge multicultural event with so many people," she said. "It was a rewarding feeling to work the booth and see every visitor leave with a big smile."

"This activity did more than just bonding us as a group; it allowed us to spread goodwill and gratitude to the larger community," added Aithent intern Jackson Lai, another group leader and booth manager from Hong Kong.

At the festival's end on Sunday, the students had dinner together to celebrate the weekend's collective hard work and volunteer efforts. "The boat race is not so much about winning " said CCIP founder Elizabeth Kay. "More important, students have tried their best, built friendships, and worked together to accomplish great things."

Students shared their reflections on the experience. "Our teamwork achieved great results," said co-captain Macy Chan from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Macy interns at NYC Assemblywoman Nily Rozic's district office in Queens.

Harry Lam, another co-captain from the University of Hong Kong who interns at New Jersey engineering firm Yu & Associates, joined in: "Dragon boat racing is tougher than it looks! We were all new to it, but its being so hard only made the whole festival more memorable. We started with zero experience and successfully completed the races."

University of Macau student Brian Song interns at GC Eng, an engineering firm in Manhattan, added, "Being a co-captain on the squad really tested my leadership skills. Not only did I have to master the boat and make instructions clear to the team, but I had to work closely with the other captains. It was a challenge, but such a great experience."

Cybersecurity is an urgent topic in today's news, and on Wednesday, June 13, J-1 interns from the CCIP (www.theccip.com) attended an event focused on data safety -- the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce IT Seminar.

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase, the seminar took place at Fordham University. Two experts addressed the group: Thaier Hayajneh, Ph.D., founder and director of the Fordham Center for Cybersecurity, and Ileana Van Der Linde, executive director at JPM Private Bank Asset Management & lead of the Cybersecurity Awareness Program. The speakers briefed students on the latest issues surrounding cybersecurity and on best practices dealing with IT and security challenges.

Student leader Jackson Lai, majoring in computer science at the Open University of Hong Kong, had been looking forward to this event.

“I'm excited about this seminar because it takes place in a field that I'm very interested in,” Jackson said. “It’s a great experience to be able to listen to leaders in the IT sector. This opportunity is why I joined the CCIP.”

A fellow exchange visitor and student leader, Jocelyn Chua, who is interning at Aithent, Inc., said she’s gaining a greater appreciation for the access to expertise that New York has to offer.

“What I see in the news or read online is totally different from experiencing it firsthand", Jocelyn says. "Being here and getting to attend these talks by successful people in their fields has been way more informative about real-world issues.”

Founded in 2006, the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is instrumental in providing resources and maintaining an open dialogue and network among progressive people, businesses, government agency, financial institutions, media and marketing.

On June 2 after a busy first two weeks in the US, seven of the CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors took a break and went to enjoy a big adventure at Six Flags Great Adventure over the weekend. The must-visit amusement park has been up and running in New Jersey since 1977 and is famous worldwide for its enormous roller coasters.

With over 18 thrill rides, including the renowned El Toro, Six Flags is a noisy, fun, one-of-a-kind experience. Ice Cheung, activity coordinator from the University of Hong Kong, was enjoying herself. “The wild rides were as exciting as getting to New York City,” Ice added. “It’s nice to relax a bit after just getting started with your internship."

Attending Broadway Shows, marching in parades, and viewing art at MoMA lets interns experience the cultural life of New York and achieve a solid work-life balance during their brief seven-week stay in New York City. But a visit to Six Flags let them take in the lighter side of life in the US: popular entertainment and nonstop cheer.

Rocky Kwong is another activity coordinator from the College of Business of the City University of Hong Kong, now interning at Calligaris. Rocky also had a blast leading the interns to the amusement park. “The park is so huge -- not like any other parks I have ever been to,” he exclaimed. “How great it is to finally come to Six Flags and get a taste of fun American-style!"

The Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) fosters a warm relationship with the NYPD´s 109th precinct, which protects the neighborhood where the exchange visitors stay. This last Wednesday, the 109th Precinct Community Council, a non-profit community liaison group, invited CCIP´s exchange visitors to join them for their annual BBQ, a fun evening where the visitors ate delicious food and met local community activists.

Along with the BBQ, the NYPD generously provided a safety talk to the exchange visitors newly arrived in New York City. Officers explained the best ways to stay safe while traveling in the city and how to avoid losing any of their belongings. They also provide tips on how to enjoy the city safely and without being overwhelmed by the crowds.

“I really appreciated how welcoming the NYPD officers were,” said Jackson Lai, a group leader from Hong Kong. “This is the first time in New York City for most of us in the group, so I know a lot of us were feeling a little nervous when we first got here. I think everyone feels more secure now.”

Another group leader, Natali Ghui from Singapore, talked about the sense of responsibility she felt. “Most of the group came here directly from their internships, so it took some effort to make sure everyone arrived at the right place at the right time. Organizing a group this large can be difficult, so it´s definitely valuable experience.”

The exchange visitors have internships all over New York City and do many activities together that require traveling by train of bus. For that reason, the NYPD´s safety talk is always a welcome start to the summer. And, of course, the tasty BBQ makes it a lot of fun.

CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors celebrated the Fourth of July with a major cleanup of Queens’ 358-acre Cunningham Park, one of the biggest activities of the summer. Led by Serena Wong of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Linette Au of The University of Hong Kong, the event also involved five other activity coordinators – Natalie Ghui, Catherine Chan, Kalin Hui, Alex Cheuk and Kris Lui, from Singapore and Hong Kong.

The popular park gets a lot of wear and tear, so the volunteers were eager to give it some major TLC. The CCIP exchange visitors dug into their task, raking leaves, picking up trash, aerating soil, and refreshing the park’s lawns. The students worked alongside others while making their host community a better place. Activities like these are part of the American spirit of volunteerism and community improvement.

The Cunningham Park event provided another special occasion: the chance for Session A students to greet Session B students as one of their last activities before returning home. The two groups celebrated together with a barbecue. Joining the exchange visitors were Marc Haken and Harbachan Singh, both members of Community Board 8 in Queens and CCIP advisors. As president of the Friends of Cunningham Park, Mr. Haken helped the students obtain a barbecue permit.

"Volunteering sounds good on paper, but it feels great to actually do it,” said Kris, a student at The University of Hong Kong. “The park looked so much better after we cleaned it up and worked on the lawns."

Alex from the University of Hong Kong said, “This opportunity was very gratifying. We worked with people from all over the neighborhood and made a difference together. I enjoyed meeting Mr. Haken and Mr. Singh, who are very invested in this community. Thanks to the student leaders for arranging this event -- the barbecue was welcome after all that hard work."

Hugs, laughter, and photo taking were aplenty on the night of Aug 25. Students congregated for one last time at a restaurant next to the hotel, where the students spent much of their time interacting over the past seven weeks.

The gathering marked the official end of an important step towards shaping the students in becoming professionals with a global perspective.

The melancholic atmosphere of the room dissipated into excitement when students sang songs, took and exchanged photos and so on.

Awards were presented at the dinner. This session's Star Exemplary Award winners include Parthiban, Phoebe, Jackson, Kailash, Macy, Joe, Yichun, Grace and Carrie. Each of them receives a USD 100 scholarship respectively.

"We have all come so far, even if the internship lasted only for a brief 7 weeks. Look at how everyone has grown since we first met," commented by Kailash, one of the Star award winners. Kailash was also the planner for the dinner.

The 2018 Cross Cultural Internship Program was a resounding success. It is on that high note that the recruitment for the next batch of students will begin on October 1, 2018.

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks is a time-honored New York summer ritual since 1965. As one of the oldest and prominent American orchestras, the Philharmonic hosts free concerts that draw thousands of listeners for an unequalled exposure to the world of classical music.

On June 14, CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors enjoyed one of these summer concerts at Cunningham Park n Queens along with many other music lovers. The concert reached a climax with a spectacular firework display in the starry night.

Kelly Cheung, one of the activity coordinators from Hong Kong University of Science & Technology was greatly impressed by the performance of the world-class orchestra. “The music was fantastic! It was definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences of my stay in New York. “

Another activity coordinator and group leader from the University of Hong Kong, Yichun Fang expressed her excitement and appreciation for the concert, “The programs in the concert were wonderful! The New York Philharmonic really gave me a spectacular gift tonight. “

Brooklyn’s annual Mermaid Parade is one of the most unique and enjoyable traditions New York City has to offer. Held every year in June, the parade draws crowds from around the world to see the colorful costumes and exuberant festivities. As they have many years before, the CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors traveled to Coney Island to partake in this one-of-a-kind experience.

This year marked the 36th year for the parade. As the name suggests, participants dress as mermaids and other sea-related creatures, and each year the costumes seem to get a little more elaborate than the year before. It was a beautiful day and the group of exchange visitors relished the opportunity to take photos and appreciate all the wild sights.

Activity coordinator Lily Chan from the Education University of Hong Kong was all smiles as she enthused about the day. “We were told that this would be a unique experience, but that´s an understatement, “ Lily said. “Every time I look at these pictures from today in the future, I´m going to remember how much fun I had in New York."

Coney Island is one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods and makes for the perfect, eclectic backdrop for the Mermaid Parade. Millions of people walk the beaches of Coney Island each year, so it perfectly represents what makes the city a global crossroads that draws people from every country in the world.

"There’s always something new to see here,” said Renee Yan, another one of the activity activities. “Being part of CCIP has already given me so many new experiences, and the summer’s only just begun."

CCIP’s (www.theccip.com) first-session exchange visitors couldn’t say enough good things about Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. So on August 9, the second group of CCIP exchange visitors headed to Broadway’s longest-running show. The dramatic spectacle by acclaimed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has been running for over 10,000 performances since 1988.

This activity was led by Phoebe Guan from the University of Hong Kong and Calvin Huang from the Open University of Hong Kong. Earlier this year, Phoebe participated in the New York Exploration Program organized by FUSIA, organizer of CCIP. Now she’s back as a CCIP group leader.

"I love New York and I’m hooked!” said Phoebe. “On the last trip I had so many things I wanted to do and two weeks just wasn’t enough. This time I made sure to volunteer as an activity coordinator so I wouldn’t miss the chance to see a Broadway show. We had a group of almost 20, so there were a lot of details to arrange. It wasn’t easy, but I learned a lot. What I liked best was that everyone enjoyed the show as much as I did. It was over the top!"

"I was glad that we were able to make a group purchase of discount tickets especially for students,” added Calvin. “We were in the mezzanine a little far from the stage, but the energy came through -- the show is epic and the action is nonstop."

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), located in Manhattan´s Midtown, houses one of the greatest art collections in the world. The CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors traveled to the museum for last week´s Free Friday, sponsored by UNIQLO, to view the museum´s impressive collection, which includes “The Persistance of Memory” by Salvador Dali and Vincent van Gogh´s “Starry Night.”

Jocelyn Chua, who is a student at Nanyang Technological University and was also a group leader and activity coordinator for this visit, was excited about seeing so much world-renowned art. “They have paintings here that I never thought I would actually see in real life,” Jocelyn said. “Seeing ´Starry Night` in person was probably the highlight for me.”

MoMA was established in 1929 and since then has been home to some of the most creative and innovative works in modern art.

Free Fridays, which are open to the public, allow visitors to see all of the museum´s galleries, exhibitions, and films. The CCIP exchange visitors have been happy to take advantage of this great promotion for the last few years.

“Activities like this really set CCIP apart,” stated Shannon Tsui, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Shannon was the other activity coordinator for the museum visit. “The internship opportunities are, of course, great, but the added cultural bonus of places like the MoMA make this a completely unforgettable experience.”

While the exchange visitors are staying in New York City for the summer, they will also attend concerts and Broadways shows, take trips to other cities, and have opportunities to shop at local retailers.

Many of the exchange visitors serve as activity coordinators as well as group leaders and are in charge of organizing group activities like the MoMA visit.

On May 19, a group of CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors boarded a boat to visit the Statue of Liberty, one of NYC’s most famous attractions. The word “iconic” may be overused today, but if any monument is iconic, it is this imposing statue.

For the exchange visitors, it was an opportunity to get close to a feature of the New York skyline that has been photographed countless times by millions of visitors each year. The group took plenty of their own photos while riding the ferry and standing beneath Lady Liberty.

Group leader Natali Ghui from Singapore Institute of Management, said “I’ve seen the Statue of Liberty in movies, pictures, and even cartoons. It was amazing to actually be there and see it myself."

More than just a great tourist site, the Statue of Liberty is an official national monument and a symbol of the United States’ history as a welcoming home for people from all over the world. The group’s visit also included Ellis Island, the historical first stop for over 12 million immigrants to the US from the end of the 19th century to 1954.

Nanyang Technological University’s Jocelyn Chua, another group leader, responded strongly to Ellis Island. “So many people took risks to come to America from all over the world. It’s very moving to hear their stories."

Seventeen selected CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors lined up at the United Nations to take part in a dialogue hosted by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd UN General Assembly.

This one-day event opened the floor to the ideas, needs and concerns of young people aiming to connect education and skills training with employment in the 21st century. The event aimed to promote ideas preventing radicalization and to galvanize the efforts of many global alliances and initiatives empowering young people.

The all-day activity ran from 8 am to 9 pm at The United Nations Economic and Social Council. It was led by two group leaders, Natali Ghui from the Singapore Institute of Management, and Jonathan Lam, who studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

From the University of Hong Kong, Linette Au is a double-major in Politics and Public Administration and Global Studies currently interning at the office of NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim. She said, “This event could not have been more relevant to what I am studying in school and learning day-to-day at my internship. The conference addressed big-picture issues important to our group and to youth all over the world."

Charles Lam, a student at the College of Business, City University of Hong Kong, was also impressed by the event. “It was inspiring to hear ideas presented by different experts and to see the UN at work. I was very grateful for access to this exchange -- a big thank you to the organizers."

FUSIA/CCIP J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (The Cross Cultural Internship Program, CCIP, www.theccip.com) celebrated its 10th anniversary, bringing together exchange visitors and key supporters of its cultural initiatives with the 2018 Recognition Ceremony at Citi Field, home of the Mets, on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer declared this day "CCIP Appreciation Day" for the fifth year out of the program's 10-year history. Over 130 guests, including exchange visitors, local and foreign government representatives, university partners, and host representatives, attended the event to celebrate the joint efforts of the greater New York City community and exchange visitors from Asia and Pacific nations to promote cultural exchange through the CCIP exchange visitor program.

Government officials in attendance:

- US Department of State Office of Private Sector Exchange Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs representative Kevin H. Crowley
- NYS Senator Toby Ann Stavisky – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Senator Tony Avella – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Assemblyman David I. Weprin – one of the internship host organizations
- NYC Councilman Peter Koo
- NYC Councilman Barry S. Grodenchik
- Ms. Xiaoyu Wang and Mr. Zhe Qiao – Education Office, Consulate General of the P.R.C in New York
- Consul Jasmin Wee - Consulate of the Republic of Singapore in New York
- Consul K. Devadasan Nair - Community Affairs, Consulate General of India in New York
- India Vice Consul K. Devadasan Nair

Representatives from various government officials also presented certificates, citations, and proclamations recognizing involved parties' efforts and achievements of the program (www.theccip.com/award):

- US Senator for New York Charles Schumer
- US Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
- US Congresswoman Grace Meng – one of the internship host organizations
- US Congressman Joseph Crowley – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo
- NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
- NYS Senator Toby Ann Stavisky – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Senator Tony Avella – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Assemblyman David I. Weprin – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Assemblywoman Nily Rozic – one of the internship host organizations
- NYS Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou – one of the internship host organizations
- NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
- NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
- NYC Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer
- NYC Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams
- NYC Queens Borough President Melinda Katz
- Public Advocate for the City of New York Latitia James
- NYC Councilmember Peter Koo
- NYC Councilmember Rory Lancman
- NYC Councilmember Barry S. Grodenchi
- NYC Councilmember Paul Vallone
- NYC Councilmember Francisco Moya

Representatives from host organizations and partner universities, along with community leaders, were presented handmade papercuts as tokens of appreciation for helping the exchange visitor internship program further its mission of cultural exchange. Selected students and hosts took the stage to describe the positive experience of participating in the program.

The ceremony commemorated the students' experiences with a video presentation produced by the exchange visitors. The photos featured in the video offered a touching look at student life that took viewers down memory lane.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Marc A. Haken, the Youth, Education, and Library Committee Chair of Community Board 8 in Queens (CB 8Q) and President of Friends of Cunningham Park. A longtime program advisor, Mr. Haken thanked all parties' collaborative efforts. CCIP presented a video specially produced for Mr. Haken highlighting his years of participation in the program.

A baseball game between the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays followed the close of the ceremony, providing students with a classic American experience to end the night. Most remarkably, the stadium was filled with enthusiastic cheering and applause for CCIP when a 10th anniversary shout-out appeared on the game scoreboard.

While the ceremony marked the end of the first wave of the 2018 CCIP participation, it also marked the beginning for Session B students, who have seven exciting weeks in the US to look forward to.

Quotes from the students:

Ying Xuan Jocelyn Chua 蔡颖璇- Group Leader
Nanyang Technological University
Major: Applied Physics; Minor: Entrepreneurship and Computing
Integrated Marketing and Communications internship at Aithent, Inc.

Last semester, while scrolling through my school’s career portal searching for a summer internship, I chanced upon The Cross-Cultural Internship Program (CCIP). I decided to apply for it alongside several other promising internships. When I was first accepted into CCIP, I ceased my search as I felt that the CCIP program would give me a rewarding and unique internship experience that a local internship lacks.

As one of the group leaders for the CCIP program, I was required to assist several other CCIP participants in administrative matters before the start of the program. The first challenge I faced was building a friendship with the other participants before I met them. I had to find a balance between being a co-participant and a group leader. When deadlines for submissions were due, I needed to be firm without compromising the newly built friendship. Throughout the seven weeks, I learned to accommodate different people in varying situations while building friendships.

The CCIP program has enriched me in numerous ways, from personal growth to acquiring professional skills. I have expanded my social circle past geographical boundaries while deepening my understanding of the different cultures and diverse backgrounds of the other CCIP participants. Moreover, I also learned some Cantonese, which will be helpful when I visit my Hong Kong friends in the future. Personally, I have grown as an individual, becoming more independent and self-sufficient oceans away from my family. I would definitely recommend the CCIP internship to friends who seek an eye-opening experience.

Natali Chien Lin Ghui 魏倩霖- Group Leader
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)
Major: Communications
Integrated Marketing and Communications internship at FUSIA Communications, Inc.

Initially, I was anticipating the overseas exchange programs that my school offers. However, when I received an offer to join CCIP, I opted to take the opportunity because the program provided a unique experience to travel and gain professional training at the same time.

At the beginning of the program, I made the choice to serve as a group leader, and accepted this challenge without hesitation. The beginning was especially tough, as I, along with other group leaders, had to lead and communicate online with other students before meeting each other in person. Another challenge was to interact with students from various countries. As Singaporean students, we are accustomed to doing activities independently and as quickly as possible. By contrast, the Hong Kong students do things at a more deliberate pace, which proved to be a strength as well.

All these experiences have allowed me to grow. I now adapt better to my surroundings and am more aware of other people's perspectives, as well as my own familiar norms. I have made good friends I hope to keep all my life, and now appreciate other cultures more than ever before.

Interning directly for the program organizer also allowed me to develop a greater ability to handle professional situations and look at the bigger picture. I have learned a great deal about my personal qualities, work ethic, and the specific skills that I can harness to achieve more in my future career.

Yichun Fang 方奕淳- Group Leader
University of Hong Kong
Major: Law; Politics and Public Administration
Public Admin, Government, and Community Outreach internship at NYS Assemblyman David Weprin's District Office

I wanted to get more exposure to a different culture so I joined CCIP this summer. Though there are alternative choices such as going to a summer school, I thought CCIP was the perfect combination of cultural exchange and work experience, therefore I signed up for it.

I interned in Assemblyman David Weprin’s district office, and I was lucky enough to try many different new tasks, one of them being legislative research. As a political science and law student, I began to see the links between academics and actual world practices, and I became very interested in American constitutional law.

Before this internship, I would say I was not a confident person and preferred to write things out rather than speaking up, however, this internship pushed me to change. I began to enjoy interaction with people and gained greater confidence. Being introverted is not a weakness, but I believe that the social skills I learned from this internship are definitely valuable.

I also served on multiple activities as a coordinator and became one of the student leaders of the group. This experience has allowed me to groom my leadership skills, helped me get to know more people, and build stronger friendship and professional networks.

Man Tik Cheung (Dave) 張文迪
City University of Hong Kong - College of Business
Major: Information Systems Management and Information Management for Financial Services
Property and Casualty Insurance internship at Djam Insurance Brokerage Inc.

Prior to this internship, I think everyone was worried about challenges working with our various host companies and I was no exception. However, the encouraging and patient nature of my host made my internship program at Djam Insurance the best experience I could have.

Working in an unfamiliar environment concerned me, as I was unsure about many things such as the company's working culture and the language barrier. Thankfully, my host was very welcoming and she made it a comfortable environment for the interns to ask questions. In the beginning, I expressed concern over my accent; however, my host company was very understanding. She told me that everyone had an accent and reassured me by sharing stories of experiences they have had with people of heavy accents that did not pose a problem. What comforted me the most was that it gave me the courage to speak up in office and confidently answer the office phones to speak with clients. Moreover, they had praised me for my interpersonal skills during the host evaluation, which encouraged me a lot.

The duration of this internship was not sufficient for me to master the required professional knowledge of the industry. However, CCIP is definitely a good training platform for students like me to learn how to adapt to foreign environments and build meaningful relationships with people from different cultures. I am thankful to have been at the forefront of this experience, which taught me to understand how relationships are built, especially between the host companies and the organizing company, FUSIA; my understanding of interpersonal skills and its importance has heightened. Moreover, the program encourages students to be independent through opportunities to take ownership of coordinating different program activities. I am thankful to be part of this program- to learn what it takes to be a leader, to manage people from different cultures and to develop social networks for my future.

This experience has not only enriched my working attitude, but it has also opened my eyes to the different cultures. Knowing that we have students from Singapore, Taiwan, Mainland China and Hong Kong, I was unsure of what it might be like because I never had the opportunity to interact with them. However, to my surprise, I learned that Singaporeans are warmhearted and funny people, and Taiwanese people are very polite. Since the style of conversation differs too, it was an experience that definitely improved my social skills.

CCIP is definitely one of the most meaningful programs I have ever joined. I learned new things everyday and from every experience. Now I can say that I am a more confident and considerate person because of the people I met here.

Ho Yan Yu (Stephanie) 余可欣
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Major: Business Administration
Advertising internship at Admerasia, Inc.

I love to visit different parts of the world, not only to travel but also to make new friends, to understand different cultures, and most importantly, to gain new insights from them. I gave myself one year to explore the world and in that time, I have interned in Shanghai and Dublin, and been an exchange student in Sweden. My next stop was New York, a vibrant city that includes people with all lifestyles.

Interning at an advertising firm has been one of the most fruitful experiences I could ever have. In the US, I understand that chances are given to those who prepare thoroughly and show eagerness to learn. I asked for every learning opportunity and my supervisor provided the best platform for me to shine. I had the valuable opportunity to organize a press conference, which definitely brushed up my interpersonal and event planning skills.

I appreciate CCIP as a well-organized multicultural program. Student leaders lead all activities, which is fun and enjoyable. The most unforgettable activity was going to the United Nations and attending the Youth Conference, which fueled my dreams to influence the world and stand on that stage one day.

I am so glad that our program included students from Singapore and China. Although most of us are Chinese, we have diverse cultural backgrounds. Being good friends with them is a joy!

I hope I can apply what I have learned in the US and share my wonderful experience with everyone.


Hor Yau Serena Wong 黃可悠
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Major: Law and English (Literary Studies)
Public Admin, Government, and Community Outreach internship at District Office of US Congresswoman Grace Meng

I initially signed up for the CCIP program because I was interested in an internship in New York City. I believed that an internship in a foreign environment, especially another international city, would benefit me and help me grow as a person. The rewarding experience proved that I made the right decision.

I faced various challenges throughout my internship. I interned at a congressional office and it required me to learn how to assist constituents with different types of requests and applications in a short period. While answering questions, I also had to be careful about the sensitivity and appropriateness of the terms that I used. I felt that I have matured emotionally, and am now much more confident in handling new tasks on my own. Practically, I was given the chance to polish skills necessary for my future professional goals as well. I am deeply grateful for the patience and kindness that staff members from my host office had shown me.

As a participant of the program, I also had the chance to join a variety of activities and make new friends. I got to explore the city, interact with locals, and learn to respect and even appreciate a culture that is completely unlike my own. While communicating with friends from diverse backgrounds, I have also gained new perspectives, which have enhanced my understanding of different values and ideals.

Overall, the experience benefitted me in many ways. I am glad that I chose to join the program -- it has helped me grow personally and professionally.

Lai Yee Chan (Lily) 陳麗儀- Group Leader
Education University of Hong Kong
Major: Global and Environmental Studies
Integrated Marketing Communications internship at America China Public Affairs Institute, Inc.

I am a graduate this year, but I still choose to participate in this overseas internship program. I feel that coming to the US internship is a rare opportunity, especially because I am eager to experience company operations and logistics. The United States is the world's number one country in terms of research, economics and trade. Therefore, I chose to work for the China-US Diplomatic Association in hopes that I can learn more about market planning before I actually work.

This overseas internship program did not disappoint and it gave me a unique opportunity. Being invited to become a student leader was even more valuable. By organizing different events, I was able to get to know the culture of the United States through my research and to provide tips for the activities that I helped to organize. More importantly, I was able to communicate and cooperate with other students from different universities. It is indeed the happiest thing to get to know different friends.

Tit Hung Jackson Lai 黎鐵鴻 - Group Leader
The Open University of Hong Kong
Major: Internet Technology
Digital Communication and Design internship at Aithent, Inc.

Through the Cross-Cultural Internship Program (CCIP), I was presented with the opportunity to intern at an Information Technology (IT) software firm, which coincides with my major- computer science. Given that theoretical knowledge is incomparable to real life application, I find satisfaction in applying what I have learnt in school to the tasks assigned to me. Through the internship, I gained a deeper understanding of the possible future career paths and it has deepened my love for what I am currently studying.

I got to experience American culture, which differs vastly from Hong Kong's. In New York, work-life balance is highly valued, and the office atmosphere is warm and friendly. A personal favorite of mine would be the lack of distinction between different positions within the company. Co-workers are highly encouraged to contribute actively during meetings and all viewpoints are accepted impartially. This internship experience in New York has spurred my interest in building a career in United States and It has undoubtedly been the highlight of my university life thus far.

I got to explore my interest in IT and expanded my horizon towards my goal. I had to utilize User Interface (UI) Design Tool and it invoked an interest in me, which I will explore further next time. In this digital age, the need for computing, programming, and UI designing expertise is rising; thus, I see exploring and experiencing in such field can increase my competence in related career. I see a bright future in this growing digital age and I believe this internship is beneficial to my future career.

Overall, my biggest takeaway is the friendships that I have forged during this program, which I will treasure after the program has ended. Despite being from different countries, cultures and background, we have learned to appreciate and understand the differences. I am glad that I have expanded my social circle internationally.

Over the weekend, more than 40 CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors (www.theccip.com) traveled from New York City to the nation's capital. The group spent two days in Washington DC, learning about the branches of the U.S. government, seeing famous sites, and enjoying tourist attractions.

The trip was organized by three activity coordinators, including Phoebe Guan, a student at the University of Hong Kong who is double majoring in accounting and finance, and Parthiban R, a graduate student at the Nanyang Technological University. The third coordinator was Jackson Lai, a student at the Open University of Hong Kong, who claimed “it was a big undertaking organizing this trip, though it was worth it as it offered fellow students a unique glimpse into the administration of the nation”.

“I joined CCIP because it offered more than just an internship,” said Phoebe. “As a group, we’ve done a lot of fun things, but this was probably my favorite. It was also really informative.”

The students from a dozen universities in East Asia took a bus from New York City to Washington DC to learn about the branches of government in person. On their first day in DC, the exchange visitors attended the congressional tour and galleries inside Congress watch Congress in session. They also visited attractions such as Supreme Court around the area. On the second day they toured world-famous landmarks as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the White House.

One official that the group met in person was Congresswoman Grace Meng, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives for New York State. Her New York office is one of CCIP’s internship hosts. Afterward, the group toured Capitol Hill.

The White House another significant highlight. Registration submitted months ago never got in past years. This first time our application visit accepted by the White House.

These events provided insights into the American government and a chance for the exchange visitors to expand their cultural understanding.

The trip was more than just sightseeing, though, said Parthiban. “We met with officials who actually play a major role in shaping the laws of this country,” the Public Policy and Global Affairs major said. “I don’t imagine that’s something everybody gets to do when they come here.”

On Sunday, two new exchange visitors arrived to begin their summer with the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com). They attended a Post Arrival Orientation with the program administrator, Elizabeth Kay, who reviewed with them important information for their internships as well as the best ways to appreciate living in New York City.

The two new arrivals were both from the University of Hong Kong. Ada Chan is majoring in American Studies while Catherine Chain is studying to be a civil engineer.

Ada is interning at the office of New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, who has been a host with CCIP for many years. She will learn about American government while doing various tasks for the office, including interacting with constituents.

“I’m fascinated by American culture and government,” Ada said. “I feel very lucky to get this chance to see for myself how government really works in a foreign country.”

Catherine is also interning at a long-time CCIP host, Yu & Associates, Inc, an engineering firm located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. During her internship, she will learn directly from experienced engineers and be tasked with completing assignments on her own.

“Engineering is a competitive field, so I need something to set myself apart,” Catherine said. “Interning with Yu & Associates will help me develop skills that will give me a leg up back home.”

Both Ada and Catherine signed up for ten-week sessions as opposed to the seven-week sessions that most of the exchange visitors have. These longer internship sessions allow extra time for more extensive training.

Last weekend, a group of CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors took advantage of Free Friday at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). This weekly event is sponsored by UNIQLO and opens up all of the museum´s exhibits to the public.

The group of exchange visitors saw artwork by some of the world´s most famous artists, including Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo.

MoMA opened in 1929, in the wake of the Wall Street Crash that initiated the Great Depression. It must have seemed like exceptionally bad timing, but the museum has thrived in the decades since and is now one of the most respected and beloved museums in the world, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Ceci Lee, who studies at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, was an activity coordinator for the visit. “It was a lot of fun to see the art at MoMA. I´m glad we could come to Free Friday.” Ceci went on to say, “These are the kinds of opportunities that make CCIP special. There are lots of internship programs, but few seem as invested in giving such a full cultural experience.”

Jackson Lai, another activity coordinator, echoed Ceci´s thought, and added, “Helping to organize activities like this is a great learning experience. We had to arrange transportation to the museum and coordinate meeting times with the whole group.” Jackson, who is a student at Open University of Hong Kong, went on to say, “It´s great that we are given so much responsibility, it helps me feel like I´m invested in the group.”

New York City is home to hundreds of parks, and the city depends on volunteer efforts to make sure they remain beautiful and accessible to everyone. This last Saturday, CCIP (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors were among those volunteers helping with the beautification efforts.

“We came to help out in whatever way they needed,” said Vaishnavi Salil Ghale, a student at Singapore Institute of Management, and one of the activity coordinators. “It was a good day to be out in the park, and none of the work was too hard. It was a lot of fun, actually.”

The exchange visitors are learning about American culture while they live here for the summer and intern with companies throughout New York City. One aspect of the culture they are learning about is the spirit of volunteerism. The visitors are taught that in America, volunteering is considered an important value and encouraged from a young age.

“Giving your time to help the greater society is a remarkable thing,” Pavendeep Kaur explained. Pavendeep also served as an activity coordinator for this day of volunteering and is a student at the City University of Hong Kong. “Even in the few hours we were out in the park, there was a clear difference thanks to the efforts of everyone working together.”

Cunningham Park was named in 1934 and ever since has been a gathering space for locals in Queens, as well as a tourist destination for visitors to the city. On any given day, people can be found playing football or basketball, barbecuing, or just lying out and enjoying the open space. At 358 acres, Cunningham Park is one of the largest parks in the entire borough.

Each new session of CCIP (www.theccip.com) begins with a Post Arrival Orientation which provides the newly arrived exchange visitors with helpful information and gives them an opportunity to meet their fellow participants.

One of the newly arrived exchange visitors, Kris Lui, a student from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, was anticipating the summer that awaited him.

“This is my first time interning in the U.S., so I’m a little nervous, but mostly I’m excited to get started,” said Kris, who will be interning at GC Eng & Associates, a consulting engineering firm. “I’ve been looking forward to this for months, and now that I’m here, it almost doesn’t feel real.”

There will be 70 participants in this year’s group of exchange visitors, most of them split between two separate seven-week sessions, while some will be interning for 10 or 12 weeks. The available internships include engineering and accounting firms, advertising agencies, government offices, and many others.

During their time here, the exchange visitors will also have opportunities to see Broadway shows, visit museums, travel to other cities, and join in at local festivities.

“I’m expecting to develop my professional skills a lot this summer,” Kris added. “There will be so many new experiences for me.”