On Sunday, a group of CCIP (www.fusia.net) 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.