New York, August 11, 2023 - FUSIA Communications, the designated visa sponsor for the U.S. Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program J-1 Internship and the organizer of the "CCIP Cross-Cultural Internship Program," hosted a closing celebration event on August 11th, 2023, at Citi Field.

Over 50 interns from the Asia-Pacific region, host organizations, and community supporters came together to enjoy a day of baseball games and fireworks at Citi Field, celebrating the success of the interns and expressing gratitude for the support from the hosts and the community.

During the event at the stadium, the Spirit Award was presented to the program’s founder, Elizabeth Kay, recognizing her significant role in promoting cultural exchange between the United States and Asia and her efforts in various American communities.

Since its establishment in 2003, the Cross-Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) has provided internship opportunities to more than 1500 overseas interns. Students participating in CCIP hold J-1 internship visas supervised by FUSIA, allowing them to gain valuable internship experience in the United States. Additionally, CCIP, acting as a bridge between cultures, plays a crucial role in connecting overseas youth communities to New York.

After a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this CCIP program was relaunched this year, attracting students from various Asian countries to participate. Unlike previous years, internships were not limited to New York City but expanded to other cities across the United States, such as San Francisco, Houston, and Boston. These students from Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, India, and South Korea seized the opportunity of this global internship experience, preparing themselves to become future global leaders.

Jackson, a senior mechanical engineering student from the University of Hong Kong, participated in the J-1 exchange program for the second time, interning at G C Eng & Associates, a mechanical engineering consulting firm in Manhattan. He noted that his previous experience was mainly academic, but this internship provided him the chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world work, which he found essential before officially entering the workforce.

Velu, a student from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, also interned at G C Eng & Associates. This internship, which offers credit certification, will continue until the end of the year.

Gia, another student from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, interned at the office of New York State Assemblywoman Grace Lee. During her internship, Gia interacted with constituents, actively participated in legislative research and committee meetings, and worked under the guidance of her supervisor. She was currently conducting in-depth research on congestion pricing initiatives in the United States. Tonight, Gia watched the baseball game alongside her supervisor and had the opportunity to interact with other interns' supervisors, an experience she greatly appreciated.

Hari, a student from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, interned at Airity Technologies in Silicon Valley from July to the end of the year. He specifically came to New York to participate in this event. Hari found the internship valuable for the opportunities it provided to interact with professionals and experts, appreciating the creative thinking he learned during the internship. He also deeply understood the experience of living and working independently abroad, contributing to his personal growth. Additionally, Hari proactively visited Washington, D.C. with other FUSIA/CCIP J-1 interns using tickets provided by Congresswoman Grace Meng's office, expanding his international perspective and network. Hari obtained his internship opportunity in the United States through Nanyang Technological University's "Overseas Entrepreneurship Program" and felt honored to be among the few selected interns.

Emily, a student from the University of Macau, interned at the office of New York State Senator Toby Stavisky. She found her communication skills and confidence significantly improved through continuous interactions with colleagues. As a student specializing in human resources management, she recognized the importance of communication skills and found the internship allowed her to establish connections with constituents, listen to their opinions, and engage in community activities.

Ankish, a mechanical engineering student from York University in Canada, interned in Boston during the summer. For this event, he specially drove to New York after work to celebrate this memorable time with everyone. He mentioned that foreign students wishing to intern in the United States must apply for J-1 internship visas through organizations like FUSIA. When Ankish encountered an unusual delay in obtaining his social security number, FUSIA consistently provided assistance, which he deeply appreciated.

Rachel, Regina, and Aria, students from the University of Macau, interned at Flushing YMCA and Jamaica YMCA in New York. As freshmen without determined majors and experience, they hoped to explore various fields and were grateful for the opportunity to intern in two places simultaneously, interacting with diverse ethnic communities and learning a lot.

Jennifer from the University of Hong Kong, Kate from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Natalie from the University of Macau interned at ADMERAISA. They reported that besides technical skills growth, they also learned interpersonal communication skills and proactivity, which are hard to acquire in school.

Daphne from Hong Kong Baptist University interned at the office of Congresswoman Grace Meng. This internship experience not only deepened her understanding of the complexity of the U.S. political system but also instilled in her a profound sense of responsibility for public service.

Angelia is a freshman student at the Macau University of Science and Technology. She is interning at the office of New York State Assemblyman David Weprin. During her time there, Angelia shared, "I have learned how to address challenges faced by constituents, thereby enhancing my adaptability and communication skills." Participating in office activities has also deepened her understanding of the local multicultural environment. Through interactions with her colleagues in the office, she has gained insights into various local customs and traditions, allowing her to appreciate the differences in Western culture and broaden her horizons.

Reece from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, double majoring in economics and business, interned at the office of New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim. For Reece, the allure of the internship went beyond the title of "New York State Assemblyman." Her true passion lay in bringing positive impacts to the people she served. She was motivated through interacting with constituents, building connections, and actively contributing to social progress.