Traveling from halfway across the world, thirty students from Singapore and Hong Kong gathered in New York City to kick off the 2018 Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP) and to celebrate the special occasion of CCIP’s (www.theccip.com) 10th anniversary.

This year CCIP continues to work with high-ranking partner universities across Asia. Seventy students, each with unique characters and backgrounds, come to New York City to gain practical experience and cultural knowledge through the State Department’s Exchange Visitors Program offered by FUSIA, a designated J-1 intern visa sponsor.

Students traditionally begin their internships with a post-arrival orientation, held this year at the First Chinese International Bank on Main Street, Flushing. The students live in the culturally diverse neighborhood of Flushing, gaining valuable experience with internships at respected host organizations throughout the five NYC boroughs and New Jersey.

The orientation offered an occasion for students to mingle and get to know each other. Student leaders and activity coordinators presented a calendar of upcoming cultural activities, while program representatives made sure to cover important highlights, safety reminders, and ground rules. The atmosphere was one of excitement in anticipation of a summer rich with cultural and practical experiences.

Group leader Natali Ghui from Singapore Institute of Management, a new CCIP school partner said, “I look forward to starting my internship tomorrow, and I hope the students like the activities list. The other leaders and coordinators and I worked really hard on it."

Nanyang Technological University’s Jocelyn Chua, another group leader, said, “I can’t wait for the one-of-a-kind experience of an internship in such a vibrant city. Looking forward to the adventures with new friends to be shared while I am here."