The Cross-Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) students visited the office of Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand located on 780 3rd Avenue on Thursday, August 9. The visit was hosted by Ms. Arelis Hernandez, Director of Outreach at the office.

When all the students are seated in the meeting room, Ms. Hernandez patiently explained the structure of the American government, and Senator Gillibrand's work. There are also her colleagues and interns telling us about their work.

The students learnt that Senator Gillibrand was sworn in as United States Senator for New York in January 2009, filling the seat of the current Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton. In November 2010, she won the election for the seat with 63 percent of the votes. Prior to her service in the Senate, she also served in the United States House of Representatives, representing New York's 20th Congressional District, which spans across ten counties in upstate New York.

Yan Hei Yiu, a student from the University of Hong Kong added, "I loved how Ms Arelis described America's political system so succinctly and clearly. America's political system is surely a complex one, but it seems so vibrant and exciting!"

The visit was an eventful one where students gained a much deeper insight and understanding of America's political system, and saw how it was different from the political systems in their own countries. The students looked smart in their business attires and carried themselves professionally. Throughout the session, they asked questions and had thoughtful exchanges with Ms Arelis and her colleagues. The visit ended with a group shot with Ms. Hernandez herself.

All in all, the visit was an eye-opening experience for the students and really served to broaden their global perspectives.