This past Wednesday, CCIP J-1 interns (www.fusia.net) were welcomed to a summer BBQ hosted by the New York Police Department's 109th Precinct Community Council.

The 109th precinct covers a culturally diverse population and includes the neighborhoods of Queensboro Hill, College Point, East Flushing, and Downtown Flushing, where the exchange visitors are staying while interning in New York City. The 109th Precinct Community Council is a nonprofit that works directly with the NYPD and serves as a liaison between the department and the community that it protects.

At the BBQ, the CCIP J-1 interns mingled with police officers and community activists and enjoyed delicious food and learned about the efforts the council and NYPD make to maintain an open dialogue with the community. They also shared about their experiences in the J-1 Internship program as well as what life is like for them back home.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," said Julian from Nanyang Technological University. "Knowing that the police are so involved in the community here makes me feel more secure. I really enjoyed getting to know them. The members of the council were very welcoming to us, too – they made us feel like we are not just visitors, but actually part of the community."