On Thursday Aug 2, 2018, the Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.theccip.com) exchange visitors were given an inside look into the American political system when they visited the district office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Members of the senator's senior staff were on-hand to discuss their duties and answer questions.

Senator Gillibrand was sworn into office in 2009, replacing the former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the near-decade since she took office, the senator has made a name for herself as a staunch advocate for equal rights as well as the state of New York.

The two activity coordinators for the visit were Karen Chan and Catherine Chan, both students at the University of Hong Kong.

"The staff at Senator Gillibrand’s office were very informative," said Karen, who is studying business administration and law interning at the office of New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim. "There’s so much I still have to learn about how the U.S. government functions, but they were able to answer a lot of questions I’ve always had."

Activities like the visit to the senator's office are offered to give the exchange visitors a well-rounded understanding of both American culture and the nation’s government.

Catherine, who is studying civil engineering and is interning at Yu & Associates, an engineering firm, talked about why she was so excited about this visit.

"I'm learning a great deal being here in New York than if I were just doing an internship back home," Catherine said. “My internship is teaching me a lot, but I’m also gaining so much more just by being here."

After visiting the office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, CCIP exchange visitors (www.theccip.com) continued a day of international insights by traveling to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETO-NY).

The HKETO opened it's New York office in 1983 and has been instrumental in maintaining an open dialogue between China and the United States. It is one of three American offices operated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Macy Chan, who is majoring in global business at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, had been anticipating this visit for weeks.

"I could see myself doing the kind of work they do at ETO someday," Macy said. "It's so important that nations have open communication between each other. This is why I signed up for CCIP. "

Karen Chan said she's gaining a greater appreciation for the differences and similarities between her home country and the United States.