2020-08-21 - It will go down as one of the most unusual years in the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP, theccip.com)’s history, but 2020’s summer session has come to an end. The COVID-19 situation meant that the program had to adapt this year to provide a more focused and individualized internship experience.

Kevin, who is studying at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), spent the summer interning with GC Eng & Associates, a consulting engineering firm based in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. It was an opportunity to gain real world engineering experience while living in one of the world’s most celebrated cities.

“Interning in New York City was a dream come true for me,” Kevin said. “Of course, these were strange circumstances, but I wouldn’t trade my summer here for anything. It was an experience I will never forget.”

Gene Eng founded GC Eng & Associates nearly three decades ago and has been a regular host for CCIP for a decade. His diverse team of highly skilled engineers and architects make for excellent teachers in an environment that is professional and highly rigorous. Mr. Eng took Kevin on site visits and made him feel like part of the GC Eng family.

CCIP was a very different program this year. For one, a group of more than 70 students normally stay together in a hotel while participating in internships across the five boroughs. This year, Kevin had a place by himself near Flushing Town Hall in Queens. His elderly landlords were friendly and made sure he always had plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Kevin’s decision to join CCIP wasn’t always guaranteed. In the spring, He had been in Philadelphia completing an academic exchange at Drexel University. As the pandemic worsened, he had to choose between staying in the U.S. or returning to Hong Kong. Ultimately, he decided it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“I have always known an international internship would be important for my career ambitions,” Kevin explained. “I thought of it this way: ‘If not now, when?’ There were surely things I missed out on, like spending time with other students my age. But, in another year, I wouldn’t have had an experience like this one, with so much personal attention from my internship host and the program organizer.”

While many of the program activities that interns do in a normal year weren’t available this year, Kevin still saw a great deal. Indeed, Elizabeth Kay, who started CCIP over a decade ago, was able to be directly involved in Kevin’s experience of New York City. They traveled out of the city to see New Jersey and Long Island. They also spent time at a local Queens farm with Marc Haken, the Youth, Education, and Library Committee Chair of Community Board 8 in Queens (CB 8Q) and the President of Friends of Cunningham Park.

Kevin intends to pursue a master’s degree once he completes his degree at HKU next year. He also said he could imagine returning to New York in the future and living here.

“Despite everything, I could tell this is a city filled with energy and positivity. I’m so happy I got a chance to experience it for myself.”

2020-08-21 - It will go down as one of the most unusual years in the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP, theccip.com)’s history, but 2020’s summer session has come to an end. The COVID-19 situation meant that the program had to adapt this year to provide a more focused and individualized internship experience.

Kevin, who is studying at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), spent the summer interning with GC Eng & Associates, a consulting engineering firm based in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. It was an opportunity to gain real world engineering experience while living in one of the world’s most celebrated cities.

“Interning in New York City was a dream come true for me,” Kevin said. “Of course, these were strange circumstances, but I wouldn’t trade my summer here for anything. It was an experience I will never forget.”

Gene Eng founded GC Eng & Associates nearly three decades ago and has been a regular host for CCIP for a decade. His diverse team of highly skilled engineers and architects make for excellent teachers in an environment that is professional and highly rigorous. Mr. Eng took Kevin on site visits and made him feel like part of the GC Eng family.

CCIP was a very different program this year. For one, a group of more than 70 students normally stay together in a hotel while participating in internships across the five boroughs. This year, Kevin had a place by himself near Flushing Town Hall in Queens. His elderly landlords were friendly and made sure he always had plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Kevin’s decision to join CCIP wasn’t always guaranteed. In the spring, He had been in Philadelphia completing an academic exchange at Drexel University. As the pandemic worsened, he had to choose between staying in the U.S. or returning to Hong Kong. Ultimately, he decided it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“I have always known an international internship would be important for my career ambitions,” Kevin explained. “I thought of it this way: ‘If not now, when?’ There were surely things I missed out on, like spending time with other students my age. But, in another year, I wouldn’t have had an experience like this one, with so much personal attention from my internship host and the program organizer.”

While many of the program activities that interns do in a normal year weren’t available this year, Kevin still saw a great deal. Indeed, Elizabeth Kay, who started CCIP over a decade ago, was able to be directly involved in Kevin’s experience of New York City. They traveled out of the city to see New Jersey and Long Island. They also spent time at a local Queens farm with Marc Haken, the Youth, Education, and Library Committee Chair of Community Board 8 in Queens (CB 8Q) and the President of Friends of Cunningham Park.

Kevin intends to pursue a master’s degree once he completes his degree at HKU next year. He also said he could imagine returning to New York in the future and living here.

“Despite everything, I could tell this is a city filled with energy and positivity. I’m so happy I got a chance to experience it for myself.”

2020-08-20 - It was finally time for Kevin to leave. His supervisor Gene, the president of GC Eng, organized a farewell meal for him in Chinatown, New York. Colleagues and RO were invited to join. Additionally, alumni in New York also had another dinner with Kevin. At his departure, RO took Kevin to the airport.

2020-07-30 - Kevin visited Dumbo, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, known for its iconic park and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Kevin was in the United States on a J-1 visa, which allows individuals to participate in exchange visitor programs. As a J-1 intern, Kevin was able to experience American culture and gain valuable skills and knowledge in his field.

During his visit to Dumbo, Kevin was able to take in the sights and sounds of the bustling neighborhood. He strolled through the park, taking in the views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. He also explored the local shops and restaurants, trying new foods and meeting new people. Kevin was struck by the diversity of the neighborhood, with people from all over the world coming together to create a unique and vibrant community.

Overall, Kevin's visit to Dumbo was a memorable experience. He was able to immerse himself in American culture and gain valuable insights into the way of life in the United States. The stunning views, diverse community, and rich history of Dumbo made a lasting impression on Kevin, and he left the neighborhood with a greater appreciation for the beauty and diversity of New York City.

2020-07-26 - On July 26, 2020, Cunningham Park in Queens, New York, played host to a successful tour for Kevin, an exchange intern. Marc Haken, the President of Friends of Cunningham Park, led the tour and introduced Kevin to the historical significance of the park and some of the vendors and regular visitors at the open market place.

The park, established in 1916, boasts a rich history and has been a staple in the Queens community for over a century. Its open market place, a popular gathering place for local residents, featured a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, and unique items from around the world.

During the tour, Kevin had the opportunity to learn about the park's history and interact with the vendors and visitors. Marc Haken shared insights into the Friends of Cunningham Park organization and its mission to preserve and enhance the park for future generations to enjoy. The open market place was a prime example of the community coming together to support local businesses and celebrate their shared love for Cunningham Park.

The tour was a memorable experience for Kevin and those in attendance, showcasing the unique atmosphere and community spirit of Cunningham Park's open market place.